How Sidy Cissoko Fits with the OKC Thunder

With the Oklahoma City Thunder entering the offseason, it’s officially time to time to switch gears to prospect evaluation mode.

And this year’s impending draft has plenty of players that can help bolster the OKC core.

No matter how unlikely it is Oklahoma City lands certain prospects, the Thunder Fit series will take a look at how they would fit with the current team’s configuration. And with a war chest of assets, you never know how far the front office could move up to acquire a player.

The next prospect up in the series is G League Ignite forward Sidy Cissoko, who impressed in his lone season with the Ignite.

Here’s how Cissoko could fit alongside the rest of the Thunder core:

Offense

As a scorer, Cissoko was productive for the Ignite, averaging 12.8 points while shooting 45 percent from the floor and 30 percent from beyond the arc.

He doesn’t have the most seamless array of skills, but his solid functional athleticism coupled with his ability to put the ball on the floor, as well as his above average secondary playmaking, make him a threat in already established systems. He needs to refine a few key areas — finishing and shooting — but otherwise should be a productive NBA piece as a cutter and transition threat.

With OKC, Cissoko would slot in nicely at 6-foot-8 in between the team’s guards and bigs.

Overall, as a passer-playmaker and decision-maker, Cissoko fits the Thunder mold well, while providing a much-needed boost of athleticism at the wing position. He’s likely a little behind OKC’s range at No. 12, so it would likely require a draft night trade to land his talents.

Defense

Defensively, Cissoko is as toolsy as they come, and has a real physicality and edge to his game.

He held his own at just 19-years-old in the G League, using his solid frame and agility to hound player on-ball.

Cissoko is a fine team-defender, but stands to improve his off-ball defense in a general sense. Alongside potentially elite defenders in Chet Holmgren and Lu Dort, though, he likely wouldn’t have to focus on the top tier players, making his defense that much more potent.

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