On paper, it seems the Atlanta Hawks' roster for the 2026-27 season is finalized.
They have 15 players on standard contracts, and all three two-way slots filled. With everything where it needs to be, it would be difficult to imagine the franchise making another move, especially with just two days to go until opening night.
Or would it? Onsi Saleh is the lead decision-maker, after all.
They don't currently have the room to bring him in if he were to become available, but Moussa Cisse's developing situation is one to monitor, as it's been revealed that the Hawks are indeed doing the same.
Cisse could be the odd-man-out in Dallas - and Atlanta is watching closely
In the latest intel drop from Marc Stein of The Stein Line, he revealed a surprising potential suitor for the Mavericks' big man:
"I'm told Atlanta also has interest even though the Hawks don't currently have an open standard spot."
Undrafted out of Ole Miss, Cisse won't get the luxury of being picky about where he lands. Dallas, like Atlanta earlier in the summer, has an ongoing roster crunch.
In order to officially bring back franchise legend Dwight Powell, they'll need to get rid of one player on a standard contract. It seems that Cisse could be the "player in the greatest jeopardy."
It likely wouldn't age as the wisest decision for a rebuilding franchise, but nonetheless, the center entering his second NBA season could soon be available on the open market.
Despite not being selected in the 2025 NBA Draft, Cisse quickly earned a spot in the Mavericks' rotation. Across 38 games played during his rookie season, he averaged 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per contest. He did it all in just 14 minutes a night.
At 6'11", he could be a perfect depth big for the Hawks, but how will they make room?
They could reshape their two-ways, or something much more difficult...
Cutting a player this late into an offseason is an impossible decision to make.
After spending the entirety of training camp with one team, only to be shipped to another before the start of the season, it would present an incredibly tough challenge for whoever it may be.
If Atlanta's interest in Cisse is something significant, they could part ways with one of their two injured big men. Mo Gueye and rookie Henri Veesaar are set to miss an extended period of time, and it could result in one of their departures if they're truly fascinated by the Dallas product.
Nothing is ever set in stone, not even at the offseason's final buzzer.
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