Marc Stein: contenders wait on Pete Nance as Moussa Cisse’s two-way market fills up

Several contenders are lining up to offer Pete Nance a two-way contract if the forward clears waivers, Marc Stein reported on Monday, October 19, part of a busy final day for the league’s last open two-way seats before the regular season tips off.

The Milwaukee Bucks waived Nance on Saturday while trimming their camp roster, and according to Stein they would like to bring him back on a two-way deal. The catch is that a waived player becomes a free agent only after clearing waivers, and by then other teams may beat Milwaukee to him.

Moussa Cisse’s crowded market

The more complicated case belongs to Moussa Cisse in Dallas. Stein wrote that the Mavericks may not be able to re-sign the center if they waive him to keep veteran Dwight Powell, and that interest elsewhere is real. The Chicago Bulls want him if he becomes available, and the Atlanta Hawks could pursue him too, although Atlanta has no open spot on its 15-man roster.

Two more teams, the 76ers and Lakers, would have strong interest in Cisse on a two-way deal, according to Stein, but both already have all three two-way slots filled. That matters: a two-way contract does not count against the 15-man standard roster, so a club with a full standard list can still add a player only if it has a free two-way seat or clears one.

Dallas has a two-way opening

The Mavericks cut Seth Lundy along with two-way guard John Poulakidas over the weekend, which opened one of their three two-way slots. Stein called Lundy a strong candidate to fill it. Dallas also entered Monday with 16 standard contracts, so one more cut is required before 5 p.m. ET, and the Cisse-or-Powell choice is part of that math.

The Knicks kept Kolek and chose Wiseman

In New York, Stein reported that the Knicks never shopped Tyler Kolek ahead of Saturday’s release of Bruce Brown; the only return that would have tempted New York for the backup guard was a reserve big man. James Wiseman won the final roster spot instead. Coach Mike Brown, who worked with Wiseman as a Golden State assistant, pointed to his length, athleticism and ability to run the floor at center.

None of the reported interest in Nance or Cisse had turned into a signing as of Monday morning; those deals depend on waiver claims and roster decisions due before the evening deadline.

What comes next

The Knicks open the season at home against the 76ers on Tuesday, October 20 (Game Center). Milwaukee visits the Wizards on Wednesday, October 21 (Game Center), and Dallas plays at Houston the same night (Game Center).