The Portland Trail Blazers have delivered mixed results this season. Though the team has been plagued by injury, several young players have grasped their opportunities with both hands. One of those is Sidy
Cissoko who has thrived in an elevated role, contributing on both sides of the ball.
Following a promising preseason, I suggested Cissoko, with Caleb Love, would contribute despite their two-way contract status. Love has certainly had moments, but Cissoko has delivered on that early promise consistently, solidifying himself in Tiago Splitter’s rotation as a source of playmaking, size, physicality, defense and energy.
While last night’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers wasn’t his greatest outing, the 21-year-old has been pleasantly reliable, earning 10 starts in the wake of the Blazers’ ever-expanding injury list.
The 6’7 Cissoko, who played next to Scoot Henderson at the G League Ignite, was brought to Portland in February after featuring in two trades prior to the 2025 NBA Trade Deadline. Used sparingly in the aftermath of his arrival, a full offseason in Portland appears to have increased his comfort and production levels.
This season, he’s played 26 games, averaging 5.6 points on 29.7 percent from three, 39.0 percent from the field, 2.1 boards and 1.4 assists in 20.0 minutes and he probably gets minutes when the health of the roster returns.
But there’s a problem. Given his two-way status, the Blazers probably only have a couple of months to make a decision on Cissoko and the makeup of the roster. Two-way contracted players can only play a maximum of 50 games and can’t compete in the NBA Playoffs. The Frenchman is already more than half way to the 50-game mark and, touch wood, his durability appears pretty solid.
The Blazers need to find him a regular roster spot before he runs out his eligibility.
Roster crunch
The Blazers have filled all their regular rostered spots, including Damian Lillard who will not play this season. Of the players the Blazers might be willing to part with, fellow Frenchman Rayan Rupert is probably the only name they’d likely consider waiving. Australian national representative Duop Reath probably has enough value to be moved for a second round pick. I might have also included Blake Wesley in this category before the start of the season, but he almost certainly deserves his roster spot, despite the injury.
Rupert, from Strasbourg, was taken by the Blazers with the 43rd pick in 2023, one spot before Cissoko was nabbed by the San Antonio Spurs. After spending his 18th year with the New Zealand Breakers in the Australian NBL, Rupert arrived in the NBA as a raw product.
In almost two-and-a-half seasons with the Blazers, Rupert has played 115 games, averaging 3.1 points on 32.1 percent from three, 37.1 percent from the field, 1.7 boards and 0.8 assists in 11.3 minutes. Despite reports of a diligent work ethic, he has struggled to find regular minutes even with the roster’s mounting injuries.
While I’m not completely out on Rupert, he feels like the odd man out. Though he boasts high-level athleticism and length, headlined by a 7’2 wingspan, he’s yet to put it all together. There have been glimpses, most recently against the New Orleans Pelicans where he put up 14 points on 2 of 4 from three, to go with 6 boards, 3 assists and a steal. But they’ve been too few and far between.
Some of you might think it foolish to waive a long, athletic prospect shy of his 22nd birthday, but the Blazers have few other options. If they do waive him, the franchise may also be able to keep Rupert in the locker room via Cissoko’s vacant two-way spot, given his fewer than four years of experience. But it would obviously be up to Rupert, who could instead explore opportunities to join one of the other 29 regular rosters if there was demand.
The mechanics
The mechanics of this move are relatively simple. The Blazers would waive Rupert and eat the rest of his $2.22 million deal, before signing Cissoko to a pro-rated two-year veteran minimum deal. The contract would impact the Blazers’ bottom line by $1.47 million for the rest of the season, fortunately staying within the franchise’s $1.52 million in tax room.
As for Rupert’s future, he would obviously need to agree to become a two-way contracted player. Assuming he does, his new deal wouldn’t be counted against the salary cap. I don’t doubt that it would be a tough pill to swallow for Rupert, but unless there’ another regularly rostered spot waiting for him elsewhere, staying with the Blazers on a two-way might be his best bet.
The alternative for the Blazers would obviously be to make a lopsided deal before the February Trade Deadline and convert Cissoko into the subsequent open roster spot. But this scenario eventuating is never a sure thing. General Manager Joe Cronin shouldn’t be in a rush though. Cissoko still has 24 games to play and if a lop-sided deal does eventuate, life is made easier.
Conclusion
It’s clear Cissoko is more NBA-ready than than Rupert right now. He’s got the size, composure and mindset that has directly delivered him increased minutes as the Blazers work to patch holes left by their mounting injury list.
Cissoko needs to be promoted so that he can continue contributing and growing with this young Blazers squad. The Blazers may also choose to promote Love at some point but Cissoko should be the priority for now.
Unfortunately, someone has to make way and right now fellow Frenchman Rupert who is the prime candidate. If he’s willing, I’d be more than happy for him to continue exploring his skillset as a Blazers two-way player because I’m confident there’s still something to be realized.
Unless the Blazers can strike a lop-sided trade before the February deadline, waiving Rupert to make way for Cissoko looks to be the most prudent decision, moving forward.
