Jason Kidd teases Mavericks' upcoming roster moves after shocking trade deadline

The Dallas Mavericks sent shockwaves through the NBA world when they traded Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday afternoon. This trade came out of nowhere, as many expected Davis to remain in Dallas for the remainder of the season. With the trade deadline now long gone, the Mavericks have some other under-the-radar moves to focus on.

They obviously can't make any more trades, but they can look to round out their roster in an effort to rebuild around Cooper Flagg. The Mavericks aren't in any position to contend for a title or even a playoff spot this season, and their next wave of moves should all focus on the future.

And from the sound of things, they will.

According to Jason Kidd, converting Moussa Cisse and Ryan Nembhard's two-way contracts to standard contracts is next in line. Dallas has been eyeing both moves for some time now, as both rookies have outplayed their two-ways considerably, and it's good to hear from someone within the organization that the Mavericks are looking to lock them up.

Jason Kidd says Cisse and Nembhard deserve new contracts

"We’re gonna manage our checkbook here," Kidd said when asked about Nembhard and Cisse. "They do only have certain amount of games and sometimes they’re gonna have to sit…They both deserve to maybe be upgraded to a standard contract, and not a two-way. But that decision will come here in the next couple weeks."

Kidd knows firsthand that Cisse and Nembhard deserve standard contracts due to how well they've played this season, and now Mavericks fans have to just wait and see what Dallas does. As Kidd mentioned, Cisse and Nembhard's two-way eligibility is beginning to run out, and they have to make a move if they want them to convert their contracts and have them on the floor to end the season.

Nembhard is only able to be active for six more games, while Cissse can be active for just eight more games. Players on two-way contracts can only be active, or suit up, for 50 games, and both players are rapidly approaching their limit.

The Mavericks still have 31 games remaining in the regular season, meaning they're going to have to stagger Cisse and Nembhard's availability, as Kidd mentioned, until they decide about each player's future. Kidd made it seem like it's going to be a few weeks before the Mavs act and look to create roster space, and unfortunately for them, they weren't able to create any open roster spots at the trade deadline.

Dallas brought in four players while sending out four players, and they're going to have to cut players if they want to create roster space for Cisse and or Nembhard. This is definitely in the realm of possibility, as Kidd himself said it, and both players have proven that they deserve to be key pieces of the Mavs' young core moving forward.

Cisse's energy, defense, and hustle have made him a fan favorite, and Nembhard's IQ, passing, and strong 3-point shooting have done the same, proving that Cooper Flagg isn't the only exciting player in Dallas' 2025-26 rookie class. This year's draft class is one of the strongest classes that the Mavericks have had in some time, and Mavericks fans will be crossing their fingers that Matt Riccardi and Michael Finely can find a way to keep Cisse and Nembhard in Mavs blue for years to come.