Rayan

Rupert

While Avidija is set to miss his third straight game, his return should come the following day against the Wizards on the second game of a back-to-back, head coach Tiago Splitter told reports. With Avdija out, Sidy Cissoko would likely slot in as a spot starter. Jerami Grant and Rayan Rupert will also soak up key wing minutes off the bench.

The Green Room is empty, as Rupert was the last man left. He’s a great defender and a capable shooter, but he’s not likely to be an offensive menace at the next level. His 3-and-D skillset is attractive for real-world hoops, but it’s not the friendliest for fantasy managers. Rupert was viewed by more than a few scouts as a player capable of going in the first round, so this could wind up being a steal for Portland. But it will take some time.

Rupert, a 6-foot-6 shooting guard with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, is projected to be a first-round pick in 2023. He’s following in the path of projected 2022 first-round pick Ousmane Dieng, who plied his trade for the Breakers this past season. Rupert, whose older sister Iliana was a first-round pick of the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces in 2021, graduated from the prestigious INSEP Academy in France. Some scouts have compared him to current Suns wing Mikal Bridges with regard to the combination of wingspan and defensive ability.