​President of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka of the Los Angeles Lakers GettyINGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 07: Dwight Powell #7 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts after a play during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome on April 07, 2026 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) GettyOver the past few weeks, the Los Angeles Lakers have hoped to add young, explosive big man Moussa Cisse from the Dallas Mavericks, either off waivers or through a trade.However, with the news that the Mavericks are keeping Cisse and waiving Dwight Powell instead, one of the Lakers’ last-minute backup center targets to play behind Walker Kessler is now off the table.The Lakers only have Kessler as a true center. Kevon Looney and Sandro Mamukelashvili are also on the roster, but the team has been searching over the past few weeks to find someone else to fill in the depth chart. Now, Cisse, the Lakers’ top target, is off the board.The Dallas Mavericks are waiving veteran center Dwight Powell, sources tell ESPN.— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 19, 2026Lakers Interest In Moussa Cisse As A Top TargetThere were previous reports that Cisse and Powell were battling for the last spot on the Mavericks’ roster, and with that, the Lakers had rumored interest in adding the former if he did become available.“Now would the Mavericks really release, say, center Moussa Cisse to make room for Powell?” NBA insider Marc Stein recently asked. “That all seemed highly unlikely … until hearing May gush over Powell’s play. The Mavericks could also attempt to create a roster spot via trade.”Lakers reporter Jovan Buha also tabbed Cisse as a top target for the franchise to go after to get a true backup center that would have the chance to elevate the roster’s defensive upside down low.“I think the most intriguing guy would be Moussa Cisse. I know there’s been some speculation he might be available because Dwight Powell played ahead of him in a Mavericks game,” he said on his Buha’s Block show. “That might be the only guy that I think rises to the level of potentially being a rotation-level player.”As multiple teams were lining up in hopes of signing Moussa Cissé, Dallas this morning informed Dwight Powell that he is being waived after nearly 12 years as a Maverick.More from around the NBA: https://t.co/ND0wVC5riFhttps://t.co/b1jDMobxud— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 19, 2026Even just hours before Dallas chose Cisse over Powell, Stein reiterated the Lakers were a team that was set to go after him.“There’s a growing expectation among rival teams that Moussa Cissé is the Dallas player in the greatest jeopardy. The Stein Line has learned, however, that Cissé is a real candidate to