Mavericks' Anthony Davis trade just sparked an unexpected roster dilemma

With the trade deadline behind the Dallas Mavericks, they now have a completely different set of questions the team must answer. With the overall theme of the Mavs being to build around Cooper Flagg's future after the completion of the Anthony Davis trade, the team now has a major question at the center position: who is a better fit to be Dallas' long-term option at the five?

Obviously, fans and the majority of the front office would point to Dereck Lively II as the face of Dallas' center position for the foreseeable future, but around him, the question still remains: is Moussa Cisse fit to be in Dallas' long-term plans? Now with Marvin Bagley III coming over as part of the Davis trade, Cisse's future with the Mavericks is more clouded than ever, especially after Bagley III's recent stretch of games.

Coming into the league, Bagley III was one of the most sought-after rookies out of Duke University, and after a bumpy first few seasons in the league, the 6-foot-10 big man found himself on the ropes. Despite a lackluster first few seasons, Bagley III has rebounded as a respectable backup big, and after being traded to Dallas, has played with a chip on his shoulder to prove his doubters wrong.

Moussa Cisse's future is in question after Mavericks' recent acquisition

In Bagley III's Mavericks debut, he surprised fans with a 16-point and 12-rebound performance that saw him snag eight offensive rebounds. With such an eye-popping debut, Bagley III instantly raised the question of whether he was more deserving of a roster spot than Cisse.

Over the offseason, the Mavericks will need to answer a ton of questions, and their center rotation may be at the top of that list. With Bagley III being a free agent after this season, the Mavericks will need to make a decision to either re-sign Bagley III or sign Cisse to a full standard contract with Lively II and Daniel Gafford still on the roster for the foreseeable future.

On the season, Bagley III is averaging 10.3 points and 5.9 rebounds on an impressive 62.1 percent shooting from the field. Compared to Cisse, Bagley III is a much more well-rounded pro who offers an impressive rebounding display and solid offensive game around the rim.

For Cisse, his defensive presence and incredible athleticism keep him leaps and bounds ahead of Bagley III, but he is still a young player at the end of the day. Cisse has had plenty of moments where he looks like he could be one of Dallas' long-term answers at the center position.

Many fans may not have expected Bagley III to have this much of an impact on a struggling Mavericks roster, but with him playing so well, it does warrant him a chance at competing for a spot in the Mavericks' future rotation. Bagley III may not be the pro fans thought he once could be when he was drafted second overall (and ahead of Luka Doncic) in the 2018 NBA Draft, but he has rounded out as a respectable backup forward, while maintaining an impressive rebounding presence.

Cisse offers much more excitement and youth with his athleticism on the defensive end, but it will ultimately be up to the Mavericks' decision-makers about who will win a possible contract over the summer.