Bucks uncovering prized Ousmane Dieng skill Thunder never touched

Even Ousmane Dieng may be surprised at himself. He has gone from being an afterthought for the Thunder to an adept playmaker for the Milwaukee Bucks. Friday night against the Nets, he dished out a career-high 12 assists. Nope, didn't see that coming. 

While fans were intrigued when the former lottery pick arrived at the trade deadline, they didn't expect to see him facilitating like a point guard. That he is quite capable of doing so might be the most startling revelation yet during Dieng's two months in Milwaukee.

Dieng is flashing a skill set that lay dormant in OKC 

He is piling up assists like nobody's business, averaging 5.5 dimes per contest over his last 11 games. He's also still rebounding at a healthy rate (5.8 boards per game in that span) and scoring consistently. This month, he has contributed nearly 18 points a night.

Thunder fans stumbling upon his box score against the Rockets on April 1 might have assumed it was a prank: 36 points, seven rebounds, and 10 assists. Where did that come from? 

Dieng showcased his smooth shooting stroke as soon as he donned Bucks green. As assistant coach Darvin Ham foresaw, he had barely scratched the surface.

Since then, Dieng has demonstrated one-on-one scoring chops and the ability to lead the offense as a playmaker. It's the latter skill, in particular, that lavishes his game with such potential. 

For the Thunder, he never averaged more than 1.2 assists per game. In 28 games for the Bucks, that figure is up to 3.1. Even accounting for a substantial increase in playing time, Dieng has unlocked a whole new level. 

His contributions have only grown as the Bucks throw him more rope. Going back to Ham's prediction, this might still be just the tip of the iceberg. 

Bucks have their small forward of the future if they want him

Because of his lanky build, Dieng profiles most naturally as a small forward. In Oklahoma City, he was labeled as a stretch big. The Thunder had no place for Dieng in a deep wing rotation. He had fewer opportunities as a ballhandler. 

While partly the result of a late-season tank, Dieng has benefited from a higher usage rate in Milwaukee. The Bucks have done more than station him on the perimeter and ask him to cut to the basket for layups and rebounds. Instead, they have put the ball in his hands and given him the reins to run plays. 

Being recognized as a true three could actually maximize Dieng's ceiling, increasing his visibility as a secondary playmaker. Preconceptions still have a heavy say in prescribing player roles. Dieng went from a stretch-big draft bust in OKC to a breakout playmaker for the Bucks.  

The starting small forward spot would likely be his were he to return to Milwaukee in restricted free agency this summer. The fit is there, and so is the talent. The Bucks are glad to be the ones to uncover it.