Dallas Basketball

Mavericks sign conference Defensive Player of the Year after 2025 NBA Draft

The Memphis center has experience and length and could compete for a two-way deal.
Keenan Womack|
Mar 7, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Tigers center Moussa Cisse (32) reacts to the fans after winning the game against the South Florida Bulls at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Wesley Hale-Imagn Images
Mar 7, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Tigers center Moussa Cisse (32) reacts to the fans after winning the game against the South Florida Bulls at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Wesley Hale-Imagn Images | Wesley Hale-Imagn Images

In this story:

Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks made their obvious mark on the 2025 NBA Draft by taking Cooper Flagg as the top overall pick, but continued to add players even after the conclusion of the second round.

Guards Ryan Nembhard (Gonzaga) and Miles Kelly (Auburn) secured two-way contracts, but they were not the only additions.

READ MORE: Mavericks announce full 2025 NBA Summer League schedule

Along with these two players, Dallas also signed Memphis Tigers center Moussa Cisse to an Exhibit 10 contract. Cisse, who played five seasons of college basketball starting at Memphis, then Oklahoma State, then Ole Miss, then back to Memphis. He was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2021-22, and though he jumped around different teams throughout his collegiate career, he had an impact despite not being an elite scorer.

Standing at 6-foot-11 and weighing 230 pounds, Cisse, a native of Conakry, Guinea, averaged 1.7 blocks per game for his career, helping earn him recognition as a true rim protector and shot deterrent. This past season, he averaged 5.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks, starting in 16 of the Tigers' 35 games and playing 18.2 minutes per.

Signing him to an Exhibit 10 makes this a non-risk for the Mavericks. This particular deal means that Cisse has an NBA training camp invite and the ability to earn a two-way contract, but his salary is non-guaranteed, meaning Dallas can waive him without paying out his full earnings. However, if he is waived but remains on the G-League affiliate for at least 60 days, he is entitled to an Exhibit 10 bonus.

READ MORE: Cooper Flagg's reaction to a Luka Doncic question goes viral

Given the Mavericks' crowded frontcourt, it's unlikely that Cisse makes the roster, but it is a chance to prove himself and an opportunity to play on the team's Summer League roster. If he wants to make it in the NBA, he now has a chance to prove he belongs.

READ MORE: Mark Cuban compares Mavericks landing Cooper Flagg to Taylor Swift concert

Stick with MavericksGameday for more FREE coverage of the Dallas Mavericks throughout the offseason

Follow MavericksGameday on Twitter and Austin Veazey on Twitter

More Dallas Mavericks News

Published
Keenan Womack
KEENAN WOMACK

Keenan Womack is a sportswriter native to Dallas, Texas, who has spent the last 12 years in Austin, the home of his alma mater, the University of Texas. Keenan has covered sports for SB Nation, Bleacher Report, Rivals/Orangebloods, a host of his own sites and now, Fan Nation. Focusing on basketball, Keenan was on the beat for the Longhorns hoops team for the last two-and-a-half years before moving on to pursue other opportunities. He is married and lives with his wife close to the Moody Center, so they can continue to catch games together.

Home/News