The Milwaukee Bucks have been hunting for adequate forward depth for years, and it looks like they have finally stumbled onto it in Ousmane Dieng. However, with so much chatter about the NBA soon expanding and gaining two additional teams, CBS's Sam Quinn and John Gonzalez created a mock expansion draft that would see Milwaukee's prized newcomer ripped right from them.
In the draft, Dieng goes 25th to the Seattle Supersonics, with Quinn noting that the young forward has shown him enough with the Bucks to believe in his potential. It would make plenty of sense for Seattle to kick off their new era with a potential-filled forward like Dieng in the fold, though it would create a massive headache for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Forward depth has been a weak point for Bucks
Outside of Khris Middleton and P.J. Tucker for a few months, the Milwaukee Bucks have had no luck at small forward in recent years. Things have gotten even worse since trading away Khris Middleton. It's an issue that has plagued the team mightily this season, forcing them to play small with players like Gary Trent Jr. and AJ Green, natural shooting guards, at the three. It hasn't worked.
Dieng fits the archetype perfectly. He's tall, lengthy, and incredibly versatile. Losing him would be hard to stomach. After years of swinging and missing on draft prospects and free agents trying to address this clear issue, having the likeliest solution ripped from them would be devastating. It would send them back to the drawing board with no answer in sight.
Dieng has been a bright spot for the Bucks
Since coming aboard, Dieng has been a bright spot. In 20 games with the Bucks, including 11 starts, the forward is averaging 9.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, all of which would be new career bests. There have certainly been some growing pains, but that should have been expected for a 23-year-old seeing the most prominent opportunity of his career.
It's fair to believe that he has another level to reach. For a team that has been dying to find quality small forwards in recent years, Milwaukee should be eager to find out. No matter what the Bucks do this summer, whether it's trade Giannis Antetokounmpo or keep him, Dieng fits with whatever they want to do. He shouldn't break the bank, either.
He'll be a restricted free agent this summer, so the Milwaukee Bucks will have a great shot to retain his services long-term.
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