When Giannis Antetokounmpo returns sometime after the All-Star break, the Milwaukee Bucks will be forced into some tough rotation decisions. Among them will be what happens to Ousmane Dieng, the prized newcomer who has been playing fantastic basketball since touching down in Milwaukee. There is one player he should take minutes from, and it's Kyle Kuzma.
Dieng could push Kuzma out of Milwaukee Bucks' rotation
For all of the negative press he gets, Kyle Kuzma hasn't been awful for the Milwaukee Bucks this year. Even if his numbers are down compared to last year, he's played a much more complementary style of basketball, and it's helped him fit in. However, that doesn't change the fact that while Kuzma can be a fine complementary piece, Dieng by far boasts more potential.
Over his last two games, Dieng is averaging 18 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two blocks while shooting 57.1 percent from deep. Yes, it's undeniably a small sample size, but Dieng has shown everything the Bucks have been lacking for quite some time in terms of wing depth, shot-blocking, an ability to attack the glass, and sweet shooting. On top of it all, he's just 22 years old.
As the Milwaukee Bucks embrace a miniature youth movement down the stretch, Dieng needs to be in the cards. It would be a slap in the face if Dieng gets bumped out of the rotation following the All-Star break upon Giannis Antetokounmpo's return. Obviously, he shouldn't take any minutes from Giannis, but Dieng should get some from Bobby Portis and especially Kyle Kuzma.
The writing is on the wall for Kuzma. Milwaukee dangled him in trade rumors all the way up until the buzzer went off at the deadline. They couldn't come to terms on a deal, but those talks will come up again in the summer, where there is sure to be interest in Kuzma as he becomes an expiring contract. Dieng, meanwhile, could be the ideal Kuzma replacement as the Bucks focus more on youth.
The Milwaukee Bucks have stumbled onto a hidden gem. He hadn't played a key role at all throughout his first four seasons, but now that the Bucks have given him an opportunity, Dieng is quickly making a name for himself. The Bucks would be foolish to strip him of that opportunity. Whether they win or lose coming out of the break, Dieng should be on the floor.
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