Sidy Cissoko has signed with the G League Ignite program.

Cissoko is the No. 25 prospect in ESPN's 2023 mock draft.

"We explored several options with my agents and I was convinced G League Ignite was the best opportunity to achieve my goals," Cissoko said Tuesday. "The ability of this program to maximize the potential of its players on and off the court convinced me. Even more, the tailor-made development program and opportunity to start my transition to the US game style, 3-point line and off-court life is a key asset. I felt during our conversations with the staff that I was a priority."

Cissoko will attempt to follow in the footsteps of Australian Dyson Daniels, who was similarly projected upon signing with Ignite a year ago but ended up boosting his draft stock dramatically and was selected No. 8 overall in this year's draft by the New Orleans Pelicans.

"Dyson shows the ability of the G League to get international players drafted high," Cissoko said. "It was interesting to see how he was used on the court, as we play the same position, even though our games are different. He had a great season and improved a lot during his year with Ignite. Improvements and hard work are what I am looking for."

In 2017, the NBA considered a rule that would have banned teams from trading swap rights in between seasons in which it owed its first round pick outright, sources tell Zach Lowe of ESPN. 

The push was in response to the trade the Brooklyn Nets made with the Boston Celtics in 2013 that resulted in Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum ending up with Boston.

The rule would have been a continuation of the Stepien Rule that prevents teams from trading first round picks in consecutive years. 

The rule never got far off the ground, but for several years teams became more conservative in trading away picks.

The Houston Rockets reached out to the Orlando Magic about a trade up once they were convinced Paolo Banchero would be selected at No. 1, sources told ESPN. 

For weeks, Jabari Smith was mocked to go to the Magic at No. 1, followed by Chet Holmgren to the Oklahoma City Thunder at No. 2, and Banchero to the Rockets at No. 3.

"We didn't know [Orlando was taking Banchero] until 10 minutes before the draft," Rockets general manager Rafael Stone said.

"I didn't hear from the Magic telling me for sure until a few minutes before," said Mike Miller, Banchero's agent.

The Rockets wouldn't have made an offer if they were certain Smith would slide to them at No. 3. Houston was concerned about having to make a decision on Holmgren without time to process his medical information.

"When [the odds] shifted, we noted it," Stone said. "If people are willing to put their money on it, especially when you see a big swing like that, it feels like maybe somebody knows something."

Houston hadn't met with Smith before the draft, though they'd done extensive scouting and research on him. 

The Magic listened to the offer from the Rockets but firmly passed. The discussion was brief and the Magic were clear a deal was highly unlikely. 

The Magic ultimately called in their selections well ahead of the five-minute time limit, which didn't give them an offer to hear any last minute offers.