Evaluating Sidy Cissoko's Quiet Opportunity in Portland

All eyes have been on Damian Lillard, newly acquired Ja Morant and this offseason. Almost no one is watching Sidy Cissoko, and it might be the most revealing thing about where he stands as the Portland Trail Blazers head into training camp. Shaedon Sharpe's absence is the reason Cissoko's name should be higher up on the list of players to watch. Sharpe tore his meniscus in his right knee during an individual workout in late August and underwent surgery to repair it. A six-month reevaluation window could push his return into late February or early March. It's a significant subtraction from a wing rotation that already lost Matisse Thybulle to free agency and Jerami Grant in the Morant trade. Someone has to take those minutes. Cissoko has a real case for being first in line. Cissoko isn't a name Portland sought after. He forced his way onto a standard contract last season by playing so often on a two-way deal that he hit the 50-game active roster limit. He appeared in 75 games, started 26 of them, and averaged 19.1 minutes a night while providing defensive physicality on the wing that Portland is now short on. His numbers do not jump off the page — giving Portland 5.1 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists on a modest 39.8 percent from the field a night. At 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds, Cissoko earned his minutes by guarding bigger, stronger wings without having to create on the other end of the floor. It could pay dividends this season for a team that will more than likely start two undersized, offense-first guards in Morant and Lillard. Cissoko has already proved he could turn spot minutes into a converted contract by being the answer every time Portland calls on a physical defender who won't complain about touches. The one skill that is left to be desired is his jumper. Cissoko made 29.8 percent of his three-point attempts last season, just under 200 tries — enough volume to show it's a real weakness. If that number climbs to league average, it will be easier for coach Micah Nori to play him. Portland's offseason narrative has been dominated by names with more star power — Morant's fit with Lillard, Clingan's potential leap and Sharpe's injury. Cissoko does not have an elite highlight reel. What he has is doing the dirty work on the defensive end. If the Blazers are going to survive the depths of the West without their alleged best perimeter defender, the non-glamorous answer may come from Cissoko. It could come from Cissoko, a guy who has proved he can turn an opportunity into a full-time role. Best Newest first Oldest first