Locked On Knicks - Daily Podcast On The New York Knicks
Locked On Knicks - Daily Podcast On The New York Knicks

BREAKING: Did The Knicks Just Find Their Center In Moussa Cisse?

July 19, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

The New York Knicks have signed restricted free agent center Moussa Cisse to a two-year offer sheet, and the Dallas Mavericks have 48 hours to decide whether to match. Cisse, a 7-foot-5 wingspan athlete who turns 24 this season, averaged 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in just under 500 minutes last year. Host Gavin Shaw argues that even if Dallas matches, the move signals that the Knicks front office recognizes a specific problem with their center rotation — and that Cisse fits the exact template they need.

The Archetype: Rim Running and Rim Protection

Shaw is clear about what the Knicks require from their third center: "They need rim running and rim protection from the center position." Cisse fits that mold. He is a simple, defined player — screen, roll, protect the rim, crash the offensive glass. His 16.5% offensive rebounding rate ranked in the 98th percentile among bigs, and his 4% block rate was in the 96th percentile. Shaw compares his vertical gravity to a younger Mitchell Robinson, noting that Cisse is "a guy who is when he's on the court, he's going to be hunting dunks."

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What you'll learn

  • 1 (00:00) **Introduction: Did the Knicks Find Their Center?** - Host Gavin Shaw introduces the breaking news that the Knicks have signed restricted free agent Moussa Cisse to a two-year offer sheet, and explains the stakes: Dallas has 48 hours to match.
  • 2 (04:05) **Cisse’s Profile: The Archetype the Knicks Need** - Shaw breaks down the raw, athletic center’s skill set: 7’5” wingspan, elite offensive rebounding, and rim protection, drawing a direct comparison to a younger Mitchell Robinson.
  • 3 (06:57) **Why Cisse Excites the Knicks: The Mitch Robinson Template** - Shaw explains that Cisse fits the Knicks’ identity of winning the possession game through offensive rebounding and vertical gravity, something they lacked last season.
  • 4 (11:48) **What Role Would Cisse Play?** - Shaw outlines how Cisse would fit behind Andre Drummond as the third center, but with more upside as a developmental swing.
  • 5 (13:57) **The Playoff Concern: Why a Third Center Matters** - Shaw addresses the obvious question: if Drummond is the backup, why care about a third-string center who might not play in the playoffs?
  • 6 (14:08) **The Knicks’ Developmental Strategy: Swinging on Ceiling** - Shaw explains why the Knicks prioritize developmental swings like Cisse over draft picks, citing the difficulty of finding playoff-ready contributors in the 20s.
  • 7 (16:53) **The Risk: What If Dallas Matches?** - Shaw acknowledges that Dallas is likely to match the offer, given their crowded frontcourt and Cisse’s similarity to Derek Lively II.

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Guests on this episode

Gavin Shaw

Show Notes

New York Knicks target rim-protecting upside with Moussa Cisse signing. Could this under-the-radar move reshape their center rotation as playoff intensity looms?

Gavin Schall breaks down why Cisse's athletic profile and elite offensive rebounding fit the Knicks’ blueprint, comparing his potential impact to Mitchell Robinson and analyzing the crowded Dallas Mavericks frontcourt. Key points include Cissé’s strengths as a rim runner and shot blocker, the risks of relying on Andre Drummond in post-season matchups, and the organization’s philosophy of betting on developmental ceiling. Listener questions touch on the likelihood of Dallas matching the offer, New York’s options if they miss out, and future trade deadline pivots. Will Moussa Cissé become the Knicks’ next breakout big, or are more moves on the horizon for Leon Rose and company?

Timestamps

00:00 Knicks sign Moussa Cissé

04:05 Discussing Moussa's Potential Fit

08:50 Evaluating young player's defense skills

12:21 Role for Moussa Cissé on Knicks

13:08 NBA teams' offensive strategies

16:15 Development strategy for Knicks prospects

19:58 Comparing Moussa Cissé and Robinson

23:28 Knicks center trade strategy

26:31 Discussing potential trade negotiations

Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas - Imagn Images

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