In a surprise change of events, the Bucks have reworked their trade with the Suns. Big man Nick Richards is heading to Chicago, not Milwaukee, while Ousmane Dieng, formerly of the Thunder, is being rerouted to the Bucks. Nothing changes for Nigel Hayes-Davis, Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey.
Dieng has bounced around a couple places in the last 24 hours. First, he was sent to Charlotte for Mason Plumlee. Then, the Hornets used him in their Coby White package. Now, the Bulls have passed him along to Milwaukee,
where he’ll finally stay put.
So, who is Ousmane Dieng? The Frenchman was drafted 11th overall in 2022 by the Thunder, one pick ahead of Jalen Williams. He’s 22 years old and measures 6’9”, 185lbs. Across 3.5 years with OKC, he averaged 4.2 points and 2.1 rebounds on 42/31/75 splits in 12.0 minutes per game. Besides the occasional battlefield promotion game, Dieng was on the outside of the rotation for most of his tenure with the 2025 champs.
It’s tough to say exactly what Dieng will bring to this team because he’s such an unproven player. He fits the big wing mold, and will slot in as more of a two/three combo than a three/four. The youngster has flashed some intriguing skill offensively, showing some slashing ability and improving his three-ball over time. He’s shooting a career-high 36.7% from deep this season. As a draft prospect, he was scouted as a jumbo ball handler, but that hasn’t quite come to fruition yet.
Dieng’s defensive profile is solid. He’s active off the ball as a helper and grades out as a 63rd percentile rim protector on the season according to BBall Index.
One of Milwaukee’s most notable weaknesses this year has been their lack of size (and quality play) on the wing. Dieng can patch that hole, but how effectively he can do so remains to be seen.
Dieng is in the last year of his contract, making $6.7m this season. He’ll be a restricted free agent this summer with a qualifying offer worth $8.7m, and Milwaukee will have his Bird rights. By bringing him in, the Bucks raised their payroll by $4.1m and now sit $7.4m below the tax.
Many fans have wanted fresh young talent on this team, and they just got some. Welcome to Milwaukee, Ousmane!
