The Big D Breakdown: Cisse's Guarantee Lands With Four Mavs…

By the Mavericks Nightly Desk · Friday, October 2

Hoops Rumors insider Mike Curtis reported that Dallas will guarantee Moussa Cisse's 2026-27 salary, a vote of confidence for a center whose minutes are up 13 a night over the last three games with a teammate out. Four players carry the same estimated return date of October 9, the preseason opener against the Rockets, while Dallas sits at 0-0 with camp still underway.

Mavericks Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

A Guarantee For Cisse

Mike Curtis of Hoops Rumors reported Dallas will guarantee Moussa Cisse's salary for 2026-27, a move that secures his spot on next season's roster. Cisse has taken on 13 more minutes a night across the last three games with a teammate out, and the guarantee lines up with that expanded role.

Four Names, One Date

Lively, Johnson, Aldama and Irving are each carrying a questionable tag, and every one of their estimated returns lines up on October 9. That is the same date as the preseason opener against the Rockets, which means Dallas could learn the health picture on its top four question marks in a single night instead of piecing it together across camp.

The Slate Ahead

After the opener, Dallas plays a rematch at Houston on October 11, hosts New Orleans on October 14 and closes the preseason schedule against Atlanta on October 16, ahead of the regular-season opener October 21, again at the Rockets. Payroll runs $197.9 million, over the cap and under the $200.4 million tax line, so every added guarantee chips into space the front office is trying to protect. The record stays 0-0 until any of it counts.

Is Moussa Cisse's contract guaranteed for 2026-27?

Hoops Rumors insider Mike Curtis reported that Dallas will guarantee Cisse's salary for next season, though it has not been announced by the team.

When do the Mavericks play their first preseason game?

Dallas hosts the Rockets October 9 on NBA TV, the same date four injured players are targeting for their return.

By the Mavericks Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.