Mavericks' Klay Thompson buyout signals they're keeping Cisse from Knicks

ESPN's Brian Windhorst reports that Dallas's buyout of Klay Thompson was partly about roster math tied to keeping center Moussa Cisse as backup insurance behind Dereck Lively II.

The move frees a roster spot and cap relief without needing to waive Cisse, closing the one path New York had left to land him after Dallas matched the Knicks' offer sheet in July. Windhorst says the Mavericks remain worried about Lively's durability, and ESPN's Tim MacMahon agreed given his injury history.

Dereck Lively II Klay Thompson Moussa Cisse

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