Ousmane Dieng is the Bucks' most fascinating player the rest of the season — here's why originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Ousmane Dieng is a name that's new to Milwaukee Bucks fans.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThat's because he recently came over in a trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder. There's a chance he's not around long, but there's also a chance he's a name you really want to get to know.
That's because Dieng is one of the most fascinating players in the NBA down the stretch.
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What makes Ousmane Dieng so fascinating?
The thing about Dieng is he's never really gotten a chance.
He was the No. 11 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft out of France. He's 6-foot-9 with shooting touch.
Despite that, he's never played more than 14 minutes per game in a season, or more than 39 NBA games total in a season.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSure, maybe that says he hasn't looked ready.
But he was also on an OKC team that was quickly on the rise into one of the league's best teams, and he got left behind.
He's never really gotten a full chance to show what he can do.
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On Wednesday night, in one of the best games of his career, he scored 17 points in 23 minutes off the bench.
The Bucks don't have to keep him after this season. Dieng will be a restricted free agent.
But they'll have the choice to extend him an offer sheet and/or negotiate a deal with Dieng.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIf he can perform well down the stretch, he could still factor into the future. Dieng won't turn 23 until May. There's still a chance he's a keeper.
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