Ranking the young core by how important they are to the Spurs’ future

7.) Sidy Cissoko

Despite being a second-round pick, Sidy Cissoko enters his rookie season with a ton of promise. The Frenchman displayed his defensive prowess, playmaking upside, and remarkable finishing ability with the G League Ignite last season. Most of those skills stood out at Summer League, as he locked down Brandon Miller with his suffocating intensity.

Cissoko climbed the rankings because of his potential upside, especially on the defensive end. When a young player is this well-established on that side of the floor, it allows the coaching staff to focus on developing other aspects of their game. The 19-year-old was hesitant on offense at Summer League, but he showed scoring upside that San Antonio can tap into. The scouting department might have found another diamond in the rough.