Moussa Cisse has plenty to celebrate this summer. The Dallas Mavericks matched the two-year offer sheet he signed with the New York Knicks, ensuring the 22-year-old center would return on his first standard NBA contract after spending last season bouncing between Dallas and the Texas Legends. Yet when asked about the organization's changes this summer, Cisse didn't bring up his new deal. He brought up a phone call. Speaking with Abby Jones of DLLS Mavs at the last Hoops Camp Academy, Cisse recalled hearing from new head coach Dusty May shortly after he was hired.
The conversation didn't revolve around playing time or expectations for the upcoming season. Instead, it was something much simpler. When he got hired, he reached out to me, Cisse said. That was beautiful. Cisse explained why that moment stood out. You know, the head coach is here reaching out to you and then telling you he had faith in you and trusting you and stuff, that puts you in a position where you have got to work hard and then not try to disappoint him.
That last part probably says the most. Players often talk about confidence from a coach, but Cisse talked about responsibility. Rather than viewing May's belief as validation that he'd arrived, he described it as motivation to continue proving himself. His first thought wasn't about earning more minutes. It was making sure he justified the confidence May had already shown in him. My goal is, like, go into the season and do whatever it takes to win, Cisse said.
It's a notable mindset for someone whose role remains far from guaranteed. Dallas enters the season with one of the league's deepest frontcourts, currently featuring Cisse, Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, and Santi Aldama. That means every opportunity will have to be earned. Cisse acknowledged as much earlier in the interview, noting that signing a standard contract don't mean the job is done and that he still has to keep working.
The conversation wasn't about promises or expectations. It was about trust, and how quickly that trust can become fuel for a player still trying to carve out a long-term role in the NBA. Cisse's comments about May felt genuine rather than rehearsed. The perspective made his comments about May feel genuine rather than rehearsed. Cisse is focused on the upcoming season and is ready to do whatever it takes to win.
Cisse's mindset and work ethic will be crucial in the upcoming season. With a deep frontcourt, he will have to earn every opportunity. The trust and confidence shown by Coach May will be a significant factor in his success. As the season approaches, Cisse is ready to put in the work and prove himself as a valuable player for the Dallas Mavericks.