Here's a nice video breakdown on Ousame Dieng. I think a lot of people have made up their minds that he lacks the physicality for the league. To me, he deserves a closer look. If you're in the market for a 3-D forward Dieng is not your guy. Instead, this is a young kid growing into his body who is used to being a tall guard. Observers suggest that he's Banchero's height, a legit 6'10 in shoes. At present, Dieng plays at least 3-4 inches shorter than he actually is, at least on offense. Yes, the physicality of playing with adults exposes that he lacks strength. But even as he played for the Breakers, he made strides in dealing with all of that. When I watch Dieng, I see shades of Shawn Livingston--a very smart, tall, lean ball-handler who can create for others. Dieng's defensive instincts are there. He's also got a respectable floater for a 19-year-old with one year of pro experience. Think about it: playing international ball, Dieng was consistently put him PnR situations, and he did not turn the ball over a lot (468 minutes with 33 TOs). Some have asked why he didn't have more assists. My answer is that guys in this league don't pile up mounds of assists (and scorekeepers don't award them loosely either). His teammate, former Louisville guard Peyton Siva (now 31-years old) led the team with 5 assists a game. It should be noted that Dieng wasn't playing with an all-star cast and plenty of assists were missed as guys couldn't convert on plays when he made good reads. Should Dieng drop lower than #12 (ie. past the Thunder's second pick), I believe it's definitely possible that he'd be available at #17. I can't see Charlotte or Atlanta adding Dieng. It will take time for him to flourish and develop his body. He's not my favorite prospect or anything, but if you end up holding on to the #17 pick, and Dieng's available, you can add a solid contributor.
I don’t think anyone has him this high but I think Jake LaRavia is underrated. I think he was incorrectly listed as 22 yo at one point and as he is in his 3rd year maybe some believed that. He’s actually 20 and only 3 months younger than Ivey. solid size, very smart player, good shooter, gives you boards, assists, steals and blocks. Strong advanced stats. I’d be pretty interested in him at 17 or trading back.
Yeah, Beauchamp is projected to go later considering his age and limited upside. Better prospects like Dieng, TyTy,, Liddel, or Jovic should still be around when we pick.
Good post. Dieng is one of the wings/forwards on my radar at 17 or with a trade up. I don’t think he’ll last to 17 though. He reminds me a little of Giannis coming into the NBA. Dieng Has a better all around offensive skills, Giannis more explosive, but not nearly as physical as he is now. Also like the Livingston comparison as well.
At nearly 6'8 with a 7' wingspan, good vision/playmaking, great instincts on D and a plus plus athlete, Kendall Brown might be the best fit at 17. Gritty Spark? An all day oop on the break. KPJ JG Brown Paolo Sengun
I want: Eason Duren Mark Williams Jalen Williams Dieng In that order. I'd be thrilled with any of them.
I think the #17 pick is just as exciting as the #3 at this point. The #3 is pretty much a lock at this point it's just a matter of hearing the name called. #17 feels much more like waiting for what lottery pick you're going to get. It's exciting.
Puhlease make this happen. Even 2-3 spots could make a difference in the chance a player sticks around as a top 8 player on a good team in the future. Someone that fits a solid role that both Christopher and Garuba looks like they will hopefully fill as well. Get this done Rockets.
There are two key variables that could lead to Dieng dropping to #17: 1) Shaedon Sharpe falling to at least #8 (New Orleans) 2) AJ Griffin falling into the range of OKC's second pick @12 Count me in as really surprised if Sharpe or Griffin goes to Detroit (#5), Indiana (#6), or Portland (#7). The longer these two targets are on the board, the further players like Eason and Dieng will drop. I think players like Daniels, Mark Williams, Jeremy Sochan, Benedict Mathurin, and Ochai Agabaj are the best targets for teams picking in that 6 through 12 window. But someone in this group is going to take a chance on Sharpe and Griffin. Once Dieng gets past OKC's second pick, I doubt that Charlotte, Cleveland, or Atlanta will want his skills (preferring more fully developed players like Branham, Duren (surely he won't fall past Charlotte's 2nd pick), Johnny Davis, and perhaps fan-favorite Tari Eason).
Duren doesn’t fit this team at all, but I would so desperately love to see him there at 17. Of course that would lead to immediate disappointment when they passed on him in favor of yet another guard...
No way he’s there at 17. This team has the worst record in the NBA. If you can trade up for charlottes pick and Duren is on the board I’d take him without asking questions. Unless Dyson Daniels is still there but I doubt they both fall. I’m content staying at 17 and taking Jalen Williams.
Do you think Agbaji really goes 6-12? There is always some older 3&D guy who has a meteoric rise in the draft in the last few weeks. Just like Duarte last year. I don’t get it man but I hope you are right. I know he was really good in the tournament but he won’t be beating up on ppl 4 years younger than him in the NBA. Every year there is a hyped older role player like Agbaji who goes too high. Honestly would go another direction at 17 if he was still there. When we get competitive we can find guys like that in free agency imo. I just can’t imagine that dude is a top 10 pick but I really hope you are right. I have a feeling someone reaches for Jaden Hardy in the lottery
I can see it happening that way. Unless Sharpe and Griffin have just been horrible in workout or interviews, if they fall I can’t see guys like Eason, Dieng, Jovic leapfrogging them. Although like you alluded to, okc could be a wild card there. I wouldn’t mind moving up with Charlotte right behind okc and taking the highest guy they have rated there. OKC could kind of dictate who we pick twice, If they are looking for a wing or big like most of us feel they should be…
Agbaji is a good pick in the 10-15 range for a team looking for a rotation ready 3/D guard. Not so much for a team early in a rebuild, although his value at 17 is pretty high. He’s a guy who could easily stick in the league for a decade.
My current guess is that Agabaji and Johnny Davis come off the board in that 10 to 15 range, not long after Benedict Mathurin goes. While the fans in NY want a star, I just don't think they will gamble on Jaden Ivey. As we've seen, the price to move up is very high. My guess is that they end up with either Agabaji or Davis. I think Atlanta might take a chance on Hardy at #16. I'm not sure he would go any higher than that, though Spinella continues to believe in Hardy's skills.
