Mavericks’ best way to keep key free agent is abundantly clear

The Dallas Mavericks roster is full. All 15 standard contract slots are occupied, while all three two-way spots are taken as well. Yet, a breakout Maverick from last season is still in limbo after being extended a qualifying offer: Moussa Cisse. And while there's no direct path for Cisse to return despite being a restricted free agent, the way Dallas should go about retaining the athletic big man is abundantly clear: parting ways with current two-way signee Tyler Smith.

Mavericks have limited options to bring back Moussa Cisse

While it'd be worthwhile to sign Cisse to a standard NBA contract and make him the third-string center, there's no real path to do so. It would ultimately require trading or waiving a player on a standard contract. And after Dallas' brief roster reshuffling, no one move makes sense.

Caleb Martin is arguably expendable, as is Klay Thompson, but both wings bring skill sets the Mavericks desperately need: Martin's perimeter defense and Thompson's 3-point shooting.

Moreover, while interior depth is a pressing need for Dallas, especially with Dereck Lively II still recovering from foot surgery and Daniel Gafford's immediate future up in the air, the Mavericks did draft Morez Johnson Jr. with the No. 9 overall pick and traded for Santi Aldama. Even though both players are more natural power forwards, they can each slide up to the five.

Thus, while a natural five with Cisse's distinct skill set as a rim-running, shot-blocking center isn't an immediate necessity, it remains an important need. That's why it's still crucial that the Mavericks bring Cisse back. And to do that, they'll ultimately have to move on from Smith.

Why Tyler Smith is the Mavericks' obvious two-way cut candidate

Aside from Smith, Dallas' other two-way signees are sharpshooting wing John Poulakidas and explosive forward Tobi Lawal.

Poulakidas impressed as an undrafted free agent last season, averaging 8.8 points and 2.4 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 40.3 percent from beyond the arc. The Yale product's shooting is about as plug-and-play as it gets. Moreover, Lawal was the 48th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, meaning Dallas will almost certainly give the 23-year-old an extended look before making any decisions. He's a safe bet to retain his two-way contract for the entirety of next season.

Smith, on the other hand, doesn't necessarily possess a plug-and-play skill, nor is he a fresh enough face to stick around solely because of his intrigue. He's now entering his third season and hasn't impressed much in either the NBA or the G League. The idea of a 6-foot-9 forward with perimeter skills is certainly enticing, but Smith has yet to put it all together, and Cisse's bona fide production outweighs Smith's projection.

It looks tricky on paper to keep Cisse in the fold, considering Dallas' roster is full, and a trade to make room for a second-year pro isn't exactly ideal. But opening up a two-way slot is by far the most plausible solution, and the way to do it is clear-cut: parting ways with Smith.

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