Mavericks go all in on Nico Harrison's bold vision with final signing

The Dallas Mavericks rounded out their roster on Saturday afternoon by converting 6-foot-11 center Moussa Cisse's Exhibit 10 contract to a two-way deal.

Cisse joins Ryan Nembhard and Miles Kelly to complete Dallas' two-way trio, and the Mavericks are officially all in on Nico Harrison's philosophy of playing double big, focusing on defense, and having plenty of positional size. Dallas signed Cisse to an Exhibit 10 deal following the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft, and he earned his spot with the Mavericks through a productive Summer League and preseason.

Cisse's Summer League was quieter than expected, but he clearly had the edge over 7-foot-5 center Jamarion Sharp. Cisse runs the floor much harder than Sharp, and his athleticism and rebounding also seem better despite Sharp's massive frame. Dallas also inked Sharp to secure his G League rights for next season.

Moussa Cisse adds shot blocking and size to Dallas' frontcourt

Both of the Mavs' massive bigs from Summer League will remain in Dallas for the time being, but Cisse beat out Sharp and could have the chance to earn a standard contract by the end of the year if he excels on his two-way deal and proves that he belongs in the NBA.

It always seemed likely that the Mavericks would consider signing Cisse to a two-way deal, as Kelly plays on the wing and Nembhard is a point guard, and Cisse brings some balance to that strong group of two-way guys. Dallas took a similar approach with their two-way spots last season, as they had Brandon Williams, Kessler Edwards, and Kai Jones on two-way contracts, a guard, wing, and center, and the group that they signed this year gives them plenty of versatility across the board.

In three preseason games, Cisse averaged two points, four rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game while shooting 75 percent from the field, and the defensive upside is definitely there. His seven blocks were tied for the most total blocks in the NBA for the entire preseason, and he did this in only 34 minutes.

Harrison clearly loves his rim-rolling bigs with size and athleticism, and Mavericks and Texas Legends fans should get to see plenty of dunks from him as he begins his NBA career. Mavs fans got a taste of Cisse's knack for finishing above the rim during Fan Jam when he was dunking everything, and he'll follow in Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford's footsteps in that department.

Cisse has gotten the chance to learn from both of those bigs over the last few weeks, noting that one of the biggest things that he has learned from them has been different details of playing solid pick-and-roll defense. He said that the Mavs defend the pick and roll much different than they did at Memphis when he played there in college, even saying that he is "really close" with Gafford and Lively II.

Lively II and Gafford taking Cisse under their wing already is extremely important as he begins his career, as his defensive potential could get maximized by getting to learn from two of the best rim protectors in the Western Conference, and Harrison's love for defense and size will shine through from the newest Maverick.