CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 25: Ousmane Dieng #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder is defended by … [+]
On the night of the 2022 NBA draft, Thunder general manager Sam Presti traded three first-round picks The Thunder decided to sign Ousmane Dieng, a French player with enormous potential, who was then 19 years old and needed time to develop into a top-tier player at the NBA level. The Thunder had been scouting Dieng since he was 16, watching him grow from a 6-foot-3 guard to a 6-foot-6 forward while retaining his leadership skills.
Dieng, who now has two seasons of experience under his belt, is still not a finished product. In fact, he has played just 934 total regular-season minutes across 72 games in his career. Oklahoma City has quickly gone from a bottom-of-the-table team to a top-tier team in his short time with the franchise, which has left him somewhat out of the running when it comes to being part of the regular rotation.
While Dieng wasn’t a big factor last season, he’ll have an opportunity to become a valuable piece in Year 3 of the 2024-25 campaign. After earning the G League Finals MVP award, the 21-year-old will look to continue his momentum this season and find ways to earn minutes at the NBA level.
Given his age and inexperience, Dieng is far from the player he could be. But what could he bring to the Thunder this season as he enters his third stint in the NBA?
Versatility of the range
At 2.08m and with his qualities as a central defender, Dieng can be placed in many different positions and roles within a team. He has the size to play in the front line as a striker, but also the skills on the ball to play as a full-back or winger.
Dieng is therefore a valuable piece of the puzzle to face opposing teams. Depending on the evening, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault could opt to put together unorthodox, but effective, formations thanks to the versatility that the third-year player offers.
Size and spacing
In the modern NBA, the three-point shot is paramount. Not only do teams now rely on generating points from the three-point line, but to create space for driving lanes (which is especially important in OKC with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander), having a team full of shooters is essential.
While he has made 28 percent of his three-pointers at the NBA level over his career, Dieng has the potential to do better than the numbers suggest. His attempts at that level have been minimal (168 total) and typically out of rhythm, often in the final minutes of already decided games. His shot mechanics are fluid, and with some confidence next season, it wouldn’t be surprising if he’s able to become a more reliable floor spacer in a limited role.
Tertiary passage
Dieng hasn’t been able to show his full potential at the NBA level yet, given the number of talented players playing on a nightly basis. But if he were to earn more minutes next season, his passing could be a big reason why. The 21-year-old will never be a top player at this level, but he has the vision and wraparound passing ability to really improve an offense.
At the G League level last season, Dieng averaged 5.4 assists per game and was a key facilitator for the Blue. He was a legitimate triple-double threat with the production he was able to provide in a more utilized role. He won’t have the same opportunity in the NBA this season, but even in limited action, he could prove to be a valuable tertiary and connective passer.
The 2024-25 season is a big one for Ousmane Dieng. Oklahoma City is quickly emerging as a long-term title contender, so his ability to contribute now — even in a small way — becomes increasingly important. The former Thunder lottery pick still has time to develop his game, but there’s more urgency than ever heading into Year 3.
