Mavericks' beloved free agent just gave a ray of hope he'll be returning

The Dallas Mavericks haven't made a single signing in free agency, but Moussa Cisse may be inching toward a return if Summer League is any indication. Cisse is a restricted free agent, and Dallas has already extended him a qualifying offer. The young center was spotted with his Mavericks teammates and Dusty May sitting courtside for the team's Summer League opener against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday evening, and Dallas should follow this up by signing him to a multi-year deal.

After what he showed as a rookie, he deserves it.

The past says to take this Cisse sighting with a grain of salt

This could just be the 23-year-old big man spending time with some of his teammates from last season, just like we saw with Kessler Edwards last summer. Edwards was a standout player for Dallas on a two-way contract during the 2024-25 season, and he sat with his Mavs teammates during a Summer League game courtside while he was a free agent.

Mavs fans then thought Edwards would re-sign with Dallas, but he ended up signing with the Denver Nuggets.

Mavericks fans shouldn't get their hopes up too much after seeing Cisse with Marcus Sasser, Max Christie, Caleb Martin, and Cooper Flagg at the game, but on the other hand, it could be a great indication that he'll be returning to Dallas in free agency.

It should also be remembered that he was a special guest during a Mavericks youth basketball camp earlier this summer despite being a free agent. Most players who attend these camps are typically under contract, and Cisse's attendance could've foreshadowed what's to come.

Cisse is among the Mavericks' top free agents

Cisse remains one of Dallas' most important remaining free agents, as Marvin Bagley III signed with the Nuggets and Khris Middleton is heading to Washington. Brandon Williams is also a free agent after an excellent season in Dallas, but Cisse seems like the more likely candidate to return.

The Mavs need more insurance at the center spot behind Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford, making re-signing Cisse a huge priority. Both Gafford and Lively II have struggled to stay on the floor over the last two seasons, and they can't fully expect both players to be healthy for the entire season. Trading for Santi Aldama will certainly help inside, but he's more of a power forward than he is a center.

Dallas needs another center on their roster to back up Gafford and Lively II, and Cisse should be their top option. He was extremely impactful as a rookie, averaging 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in just 13.9 minutes per game while shooting 57.4 percent from the field.

His motor, rim protection, and lob-catching ability all stood out last season, and his length and athleticism fit the mold of the type of player Masai Ujiri typically likes. Ujiri loves players who can switch on defense, play hard, and have positional size, and while 6-foot-11 isn't elite size for a center, he makes up for it in other parts of the game.

Re-signing Cisse should be a no-brainer

Mavericks fans fell in love with Cisse's game last season, as he was one of the few players to be excited about during a 56-loss season. He brought great energy, regardless of what the score was, and the overwhelming majority of Mavs fans want him to return.

Re-signing Cisse should be a no-brainer move, given that they could likely do so for cheap. Dallas needs to do whatever they can to keep him around, as developing him in their system should be a priority. He already showed signs that he has what it takes to be a rotation big in the NBA, and if he continues this trajectory, he could be a solid Daniel Gafford replacement if they move on from him.

Mavs fans are hoping that this Summer League appearance is a great sign of things to come, and we could see a deal soon with Ujiri and Mike Schmitz both in Las Vegas.

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