Mavericks youngster suddenly sparks uncomfortable Dereck Lively II questions

After what seemed like weeks without a Dallas Mavericks victory, the team finally ended its losing streak with a thrilling overtime 138-133 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night. Not only was the game back and forth all night long, but for the first time in what feels like a decade, the American Airlines Center and its fans were cheering and standing on their feet.

While there has been plenty of discourse on what the Mavericks' future should look like after a 4-10 start through their first 14 regular-season games, the team has made one thing clear: Moussa Cisse is more than just a two-way player. Given the rise in injuries at the center position for the Mavericks with Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II battling to stay on the floor, Cisse has stepped up in a huge way and made a name for himself in the process.

He may only be on a two-way contract, but with how cloudy Dallas' current future is, Cisse has made it known that the Mavericks shouldn't be afraid to add him to their active roster if he continues with this upward trajectory. Whether it's on the defensive end of the floor or his ability to roll and make himself open due to his effort and athleticism, Cisse has surprised fans with the energy he brings to the team anytime he is on the court.

Mavericks need to create more minutes for Moussa Cisse

Last night, Cisse finished with five points, one rebound, and one block, and his energy continues to be the difference-maker in his minutes. No one runs the floor harder than him, and he is also becoming a reliable lob threat due to his athleticism.

Cisse definitely stepped up when they needed him most, as Lively II fouled out in just 12 minutes of action, and they're going to need for him to continue to have some big games as his young career gets rolling.

With the number of injuries the Mavericks have already suffered being as alarming as it is, it has allowed some of Dallas' two-way players and other young stars to make a name for themselves. Cisse, along with other players like Brandon Williams, has taken advantage of their time on the floor, and while the long-term view of both players may not be as certain as others, it has definitely begun to force fans to have some uncomfortable conversations about the Mavericks' rotation.

Dereck Lively II has long been a player that many fans look to and think of as the Mavericks' center of the future, but due to a lengthy injury history in just his third season, some question marks have begun to surround the 21-year-old's long-term status with the team. It's highly unlikely the Mavericks would even think about trading Lively II, but with the impressive play out of Cisse in his limited minutes, it could force the front office to have some tough conversations.

From a talent perspective, Lively II is one of the top young centers in the entire league, but due to injuries, his name has fallen in his rookie class rankings to no fault of his own. In just his second game back from a lower leg injury, which he suffered in just the Mavericks' third regular season game, the Mavericks are clearly standing by his minutes restriction caution, which has led to Cisse receiving even more minutes in crunch-time moments.

Against the Blazers was the first time that we saw the two centers truly share the same amount of time on the floor, and given that Cisse is only on a two-way contract, there won't be much room for him in Jason Kidd's active rotation, but needless to say, the Mavericks found a solid third center in their rotation.

It may take a few trades at the deadline or throughout the season, but Cisse should be one of the first additions to the active roster. His defensive intangibles automatically make him one of the Mavericks' most intriguing young players, and given some work on his offensive game, he could be just a hook shot away from being a mainstay in Dallas' rotation down the line.

It may be hard to get Cisse on the floor once Davis and Lively II return to the lineup in full health, but with the future of the organization in question, the Mavericks should be lucky they signed the former Memphis Tiger to a two-way contract.