Mamadi Diakite is going to be around the Milwaukee Bucks for a little while longer beyond this 2020-21 season.
First reported by Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Bucks have converted Mamadi Diakite’s two-way contract to a standard NBA contract that will be a multi-year deal at the league’s minimum. The move brings the Bucks’ roster to 15 players with Diakite getting the step up.
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That’s not all, though, as the Bucks acted quickly to fill the two-way slot since vacated by Diakite. Per that same report by Jim Owczarski, the Bucks have signed journeyman wing Justin Jackson, who was most recently of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
After their many moves near and after the trade deadline, as headlined by the additions of Jeff Teague and P.J. Tucker, the Bucks had an open roster spot to fill.
However, doing so was made complicated by the fact that the Bucks were previously $737,439 away from going over the luxury tax line before converting Diakite’s deal. And the looming incentives included in Jrue Holiday’s deal linger going into the final month of season and could easily vault them over into the tax, depending on when they make Diakite’s move official.
Mamadi Diakite could be a hidden gem for the Milwaukee Bucks
Above all else, though, this is quite the achievement for the 24-year-old forward who has worked on his game since coming to Milwaukee last fall. That first came while on assignment in the G League and Diakite served as a critical contributor for the eventual G League champions, the Lakeland Magic, earlier this year.
Over his few weeks with the Magic, Diakite displayed why he’s worth the investment from the Bucks’ perspective. The Virginia product eventually earned an All-NBA G League first team selection, All-Rookie team selection and all-Defensive team selection at season’s end.
That stellar run provided the launching pad for Diakite to earn limited minutes up with the Bucks as they were dealing with injuries and absences to their frontcourt. In his 11 games with the Bucks so far, Diakite is averaging 2.5 points .370/.143/1.000 shooting, 2.3 rebounds and 0.5 blocks across 8.6 minutes per contest.
Whether the promotion to a standard NBA deal will lead to further minutes in the Bucks’ rotation for the rest of the season remains to be seen. But if nothing else, it’s a shrewd move by Bucks general manager Jon Horst to lock down a promising contributor who might factor into the Bucks’ plans beyond this year.
Despite going undrafted nearly five months ago, Diakite has worked to overcome his early obstacles when starting his NBA career. And that hard work has surely been recognized by the Bucks so far.