Can the Knicks improve their frontcourt?
The league is chasing the New York Knicks, who are coming off their first NBA Championship since 1973.
The team didn't make major changes in the offseason, returning the majority of the core that lifted the Larry O'Brien trophy.
Starters Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns will all be back.
Miles McBride was already under contract, but Landry Shamet, Jose Alvarado, Mohamed Diawara, and Jordan Clarkson all signed new deals and likely took less money than they could've gotten from another team.
Mitchell Robinson ended up signing with the Boston Celtics, but the Knicks effectively replaced him with Andre Drummond, who signed a one-year deal.
Another Option
On Saturday, the Knicks and Moussa Cisse agreed to a two-year deal. Cisse is a restricted free agent with the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks can match the offer or allow Cisse to join the Knicks.
The Mavericks have 48 hours to match.
Cisse's salary is half guaranteed in the first year and 2027-28 is non-guaranteed.
The 23-year-old center played 38 games with the Mavericks last season, averaging 13.9 minutes, 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks. He shot 57% from the field with 79% of his shots coming in the restricted area.
Last season was his only season thus far in the NBA. He signed with the Mavericks as an undrafted free agent.
The Mavericks have Daniel Gafford and Derrick Lively II under contract at center, but Cisse got minutes last season due to the injury to Lively, who played in just seven games. They also traded for Santi Aldama and drafted Morez Johnson Jr, both of whom could see minutes at center.
What's Next?
Either the Mavericks match the offer for Cisse and retain him for two years, or the Knicks add another frontcourt player to their rotation.
Taking a shot at an offer sheet on Cisse is a low-risk move for the Knicks given how small the contract amount is. And there is a decent chance the Mavericks won't bother to match it after drafting Morez out of Michigan.
Cisse played last season largely due to injuries to Gafford and Lively. If both of those guys are healthy and they have Aldama and Morez in the mix, Cisse isn't likely to see any minutes, even if all four players aren't available at once.
On the Knicks, Cisse is a worthy third option behind Towns and Drummond. It'll give the Knicks a chance to rest Towns a bit more and manage Drummond in his 15th season in the league.
