The Knicks lost their backup center, but took a low-risk flier in search of another one in signing restricted free agent Moussa Cisse to an offer sheet.
In a move first reported by The Steinline and confirmed by The Post, the Knicks inked local product Cisse to a two-year offer sheet Saturday.
Dallas will have 48 hours to match it, so through 11:59 p.m. Monday.
Cisse’s salary will be half-guaranteed this season, and non-guaranteed in 2027-28.
It would become fully guaranteed on Oct. 1, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
The Knicks had let backup center Mitchell Robinson walk to the rival Boston Celtics in an effort to duck the punitive second apron. They signed hulking veteran Andre Drummond, but the reigning champions have still been looking for ways to improve around the margins, and were looking for an athletic young big.
After sniffing around Charlotte’s Moussa Diabaté and New Orleans shot-blocker Yves Missi on the trade market, they turned to the 23-year-old Cissé, who had eight games last season of at least five rebounds.
After growing up playing soccer in Conakry, Guinea, Cisse moved to New York when he was 14.
He started playing his high school basketball at St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark (NJ) alongside former Knick Precious Achiuwa.
He then moved on to Christ the King in Queens, leading them to the Class AA state title game.
Cisse impressed in his lone outing against the Knicks last season, with 15 points, nine rebounds and four blocks in just 20 minutes.
Now he’s signed an offer sheet with the Knicks, and could be on the brink of a homecoming of sorts, if the Mavericks don’t match the terms.
