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The Dallas Mavericks could face a difficult roster decision involving Moussa Cisse as they consider creating a spot for veteran center Dwight Powell ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season.

Marc Stein addressed the possibility in The Stein Line on Sunday, October 11, noting that Dallas could either waive Cisse or pursue a consolidation trade to make room for Powell. However, cutting Cisse would mean reversing course shortly after the franchise committed to keeping the young center.

“Now would the Mavericks really release, say, center Moussa Cisse to make room for Powell after matching a July offer sheet from the Knicks to Cisse in restricted free agency and then allowing Cisse’s $2.2 million salary to become fully guaranteed by keeping him on the roster beyond Oct. 1?” Stein wrote.

“That all seemed highly unlikely … until hearing May gush about Powell’s play.”

Stein added that a trade could offer another route to a roster spot, although completing such a move so close to Opening Night could prove difficult.

Cisse entered the offseason after averaging 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 38 games for Dallas during the 2025-26 season. The 24-year-old center shot 57.4% from the field while averaging 13.9 minutes per game, making 1 start.

He also demonstrated considerable production in the G League with the Texas Legends, averaging 14.8 points, 13.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 16 appearances. Those numbers suggest a developing interior player, although his NBA role remained limited last season.

The Mavericks matched a July offer sheet from the New York Knicks to retain Cisse in restricted free agency. His $2.2 million salary subsequently became fully guaranteed when Dallas kept him beyond October 1, increasing the financial implications of a potential release.

Waiving Cisse would therefore mean sacrificing a young center the franchise recently chose to retain, rather than simply cutting a player on an unguaranteed contract.

Powell, meanwhile, returned to Dallas on September 25 on a one-year deal worth approximately $3.88 million. The veteran’s contract includes an initial guarantee, with additional money tied to making the regular-season roster.

The 35-year-old is entering his 13th season with the Mavericks and remains the franchise’s longest-tenured player since Dirk Nowitzki. His value extends beyond his modest scoring production, with his experience and familiarity with the organization offering potential benefits to a roster being reshaped around Cooper Flagg.

Powell averaged 3.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in 63 games during the 2025-26 season, shooting 64.4% from the field in 14.3 minutes per contest. In Dallas’ October 9 preseason game against Houston, he recorded eight assists in 13 minutes, alongside one point and one rebound.

Head coach Dusty May’s reported praise for Powell’s play has made the roster decision more complicated, but the Mavericks still need to find a practical way to accommodate him.

Dallas’ center rotation also includes Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II, although Lively is recovering from foot surgery. That situation could increase the appeal of retaining additional frontcourt depth, depending on his availability.

A trade would allow the Mavericks to create a roster spot without directly releasing Cisse, but Stein cautioned that arranging a deal so close to the season’s start could be challenging.