The Portland Trail Blazers didn't make a trade at the deadline, rolling with their mixture of veterans and up-and-coming players for at least the remainder of the 2024-25 season. One player they did add into the mix shortly after the deadline passed, however, is former San Antonio Spurs guard/forward Sidy Cissoko.
ESPN's Shams Charania has to be exhausted after his nearly 21 hours of screen time during the historical trade deadline that just ensued. But that didn't stop him from reporting that the Blazers are signing Cissoko to a two-way deal, waiving Taze Moore to clear room for him.
The Portland Trail Blazers are signing former Spurs guard/forward Sidy Cissoko to a two-way NBA contract, sources tell ESPN.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 8, 2025
Blazers sign Scoot Henderson's G League Ignite teammate Sidy Cissoko to two-way deal
The Frenchman was included as part of the Spurs' blockbuster trade with the Sacramento Kings for De'Aaron Fox. He was then flipped to the Washington Wizards in the Jonas Valančiūnas deal. In a head-scratching move, the rebuilding Wizards then decided to waive the potential-packed 20-year-old.
Cissoko was the No. 44 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. He's more of a developmental flier, averaging just 2.3 points and 1.1 rebounds in 6.7 minutes so far in his young career. But it's a flier worth taking for the Blazers, who need to swing for upside this early on in their rebuild.
Two people who would likely agree with this addition are Scoot Henderson and assistant GM Mike Schmitz. Henderson was Cissoko's teammate with the G League Ignite, where Cissoko had a more impactful role, averaging 9.3 points in 28.4 minutes. The less obvious connection is Schmitz, a former ESPN NBA Draft Analyst who was previously high on Cissoko.
One of the most talented prospects I saw abroad: French guard Sidy Cissoko. Powerful at 6-6 with long arms, the 17-year-old Baskonia product can get his own or create for others. Needs to improve defense, decision making + body language, but lots to like. https://t.co/z6ilF7zrvx pic.twitter.com/kE9hnL9pVG
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) January 22, 2022
Schmitz is a valuable asset to have in the Blazers' front office and has a proven track record as someone who was also extremely high on Deni Avdija as a prospect entering the 2020 NBA Draft, and we all know how that is working out so far for the Blazers.
While Cissoko is a much less significant addition, he's certainly worth adding as a low-risk flier. His 6-foot-6 frame, paired with his 6-foot-10 wingspan, gives the Blazers another player to help strengthen their identity as a team that wants to be versatile on the defensive end, assuming he can improve in that area.
This is the exact type of player the Blazers should be bringing in to help bolster their wing depth, which is an area that still needs further addressing.
Hopefully, the Scoot connection brings out the best in Cissoko. The Wizards shouldn't have waived him in the first place, but credit to GM Joe Cronin and the Blazers for swooping in.