11:56 am: The Blazers have officially promoted Cissoko and waived Rupert, the team announced.
The 43rd overall pick in the 2023 draft, Rupert has averaged just 3.2 points and 1.8 rebounds in 12.0 minutes per game across 139 appearances for Portland. He’s still just 21 years old though, and will be eligible for a two-way contract if he clears waivers on Sunday.
11:26 am: The Trail Blazers are promoting forward Sidy Cissoko to their 15-man roster, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania (Twitter link), who hears from Cissoko’s agents at Gersh Sports that he and the team have agreed to a two-year deal.
Cissoko reached his limit of 50 active games on his two-way contract in Portland’s last game prior to the All-Star break, so the club needed to convert him to a standard deal in order to continue using him going forward.
With injured wings Matisse Thybulle and Kris Murray apparently on the verge of returning to action, it was unclear whether Portland would be motivated to promote Cissoko right away.
However, the 21-year-old Frenchman has proven to be an important part of the rotation this season, starting 24 of his 50 games and averaging 22.3 minutes per night. He has contributed 6.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game, with a .408/.327/.703 shooting line and solid wing defense.
The Blazers have a full 15-man roster, so someone will need to be waived in order to create an opening for Cissoko. Rayan Rupert and Thybulle, neither of whom is owed guaranteed money beyond this season, have been mentioned as two possible release candidates.
Signing Cissoko to a standard contract will open up a two-way slot for the Blazers — they’ll have until March 4 to fill it. The team could create another opening by promoting another two-way standout, Caleb Love, who has five games of eligibility remaining, but that move would require Portland to cut another player from its 15-man roster.