The Milwaukee Bucks made a surprising move at the 2026 NBA trade deadline when they swapped Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey for Ousmane Dieng. Dieng had been generally quiet through the better part of his first four NBA seasons and was averaging just 10.9 minutes per game prior to the trade in 2025-26.
Dieng has hit the ground running in Milwaukee, however, thus vindicating the Bucks for taking a chance on a somewhat unknown commodity at the trade deadline.
Dieng played just five minutes in his Bucks debut, thus inevitably failing to make much of an impact. He showed out during Milwaukee's next game, however, tallying 17 points, three rebounds, and five three-point field goals made in just 23 minutes.
In a performance that began to quiet the talk of his stellar showing being a fluke, Dieng went off for 19 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, four blocks, and a steal just one night later.
It was a sensational showing from Dieng in his first start with Milwaukee. It was even more impressive considering he managed the feat against the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Perhaps it was simply a statement against his former team, but there's reason to believe there's more to it.
Dieng didn't just turn in a career night against his former team—he imposed his will in every phase of the game for a Bucks team that's ideally suited to help him explore his potential.
Ousmane Dieng already showcasing significant upside with Bucks
With Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined, there isn't a player on the Bucks' roster who can be accurately labeled as the No. 1 option. That's tantamount to a golden opportunity for a young player who's eager to finally have the ball in his hands.
Other players will clearly need touches, but there's ample reason to believe Dieng will have chances to prove he can make this eye-opening two-game stretch last.
Dieng will have opportunities to excel as a catch-and-shoot specialist alongside playmakers such as Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr. He'll have chances to attack in transition with Antetokounmpo not actively operating as the primary source of said opportunities.
Dieng will even have an opening to flex his playmaking ability and midrange game, which were on display during his explosive performance against the Thunder.
Perhaps this is all unsustainable, but Dieng is a 22-year-old player showing clear signs of having untapped potential. To have landed him for a 25-year-old Anthony and a 28-year-old Coffey, neither of whom factored heavily into the rotation, is thus already an absolute win.
Compounded by the fact that the Bucks are potential big winners of Dieng's pending period of restricted free agency, vindication has already arrived.