Knicks Offer Sheet for Cisse, Suns Turn to Kennard, Overseas Deals for Baldwin Jr. and Johnson
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NEW YORK — The Knicks have moved to shore up their frontcourt, signing Mavericks restricted free-agent center Moussa Cisse to a two-year offer sheet, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the first season of the deal is 50 percent guaranteed, while the second year carries no guarantee. Analyst Bobby Marks added that the 2026-27 salary becomes fully guaranteed on Oct. 1. Dallas has until Monday night to decide whether to match the offer.
Cisse, 23, averaged 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 38 games last season after earning a promotion from a two-way contract. Before extending the offer sheet, New York had explored trade scenarios for Pelicans center Yves Missi and Hornets big man Moussa Diabate, Fischer noted.
Suns Look to Kennard for Perimeter Shooting
PHOENIX — The Suns believe guard Luke Kennard can replace a portion of the three-point production lost after trading Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reported.
Kennard has led the NBA in three-point percentage three times and is coming off a postseason stint with the Lakers in which he adopted a more aggressive scoring role. Although he has attempted fewer threes than Allen over the past three seasons, Phoenix is banking on his efficiency to fill the void on the wing.
International Moves
Former first-round pick Patrick Baldwin Jr. has signed with Serbian club Crvena Zvezda, Sportando reported. Baldwin split last season among the Clippers, 76ers and Kings organizations.
Meanwhile, former lottery pick Stanley Johnson is headed to Japan on a deal with the Gunma Crane Thunders after helping Nagasaki Velca capture a league championship last season.
Source: Hoops Wire
