The Knicks tried to steal a backup center, only to see Dallas snatch Moussa Cisse back.

After the reigning NBA champions signed the restricted free agent to a two-year, $4.7 million offer sheet Saturday afternoon, the Mavericks had until Monday at 11:59 p.m. to match it.

Turns out Dallas didn’t even need that long, matching it later Saturday night in a move first reported by ESPN and confirmed by The Post.

Moussa Cisse of the Dallas Mavericks shoots against Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks during their game at Madison Square Garden on January 19, 2026. Getty Images

With the Knicks having lost their backup center, it would have been a low-risk flier.

Cisse’s salary was half-guaranteed this season and non-guaranteed in 2027-28.

It would become fully guaranteed on Oct. 1, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.

But now he’s back in Dallas on that deal, and the Knicks are on to their next target.

Backup center Mitchell Robinson had been allowed to walk to the rival Celtics in the Knicks’ effort to duck the punitive second apron.

Moussa Cisse during an April 2026 game. Getty Images

They did sign aging veteran Andre Drummond, but the champions have still been looking for ways to improve around the margins and seeking an athletic young big.

After sniffing around Charlotte’s Moussa Diabaté and New Orleans shot-blocker Yves Missi on the trade market, they turned to the 23-year-old Cisse, who had eight games last season of at least five rebounds.

After growing up playing soccer in Conakry, Guinea, Cisse moved to New York when he was 14.

He started playing his high school basketball at St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark (NJ) alongside former Knick Precious Achiuwa.

He then moved on to Christ the King in Queens, leading them to the Class AA state title game.

The 6-foot-11 Cisse left an impression with his lone outing against the Knicks last season, putting up 15 points, nine rebounds and four blocks in just 20 minutes.

But after signing the offer sheet to come to the Garden, Dallas promptly matched it to kill his homecoming before it ever got underway.