What happened: Dallas matched the Knicks' two-year offer sheet for restricted free agent center Moussa Cisse ahead of the Monday 11:59 p.m. ET deadline. The move leaves the Mavericks with 16 players on standard contracts, not counting two-way deals, with 15 of those fully guaranteed.
Why it matters: Cisse's deal is structured so Dallas isn't locked into the full number: his $2.2 million salary this season becomes just $1.1 million in guaranteed protection if the Mavericks don't waive him by 11:59 p.m. ET in September. That partial guarantee gives Dallas a low-cost window to evaluate him through camp before the money firms up.
By the numbers: 16 players on standard contracts (15 guaranteed); Cisse base salary $2.2M; guarantee protection if not waived: $1.1M; waiver deadline 11:59 p.m. ET, September.
What to watch: Watch whether Dallas waives Cisse before the September deadline or carries the partially guaranteed deal into training camp.