Ousmane Dieng's role with the Milwaukee Bucks has been anything but consistent to begin the new NBA season. He went from being a mainstay to being out of the rotation entirely to working his way back in within the first 12 games. Despite his second chance lately, though, Dieng hasn't done much to show that he really belongs. That needs to change quickly.
Bucks still waiting for Dieng's rise after last season
In 18.9 minutes per game over his last three appearances, Dieng is averaging nine points, shooting it pretty efficiently at 56.3 percent from the floor. While that has been a nice boost off the bench, there hasn't been much else to write home about. He's averaging two rebounds and 1.3 assists in this span, but the most notable stat has been his 2.3 personal fouls. Those certainly sting.
If Dieng wants to remain in the rotation, he'll need to turn back the clock and show the glimpses of an impending breakout like he did last season. When let off the leash by the Bucks in 2025-26, he put up 4.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists in addition to his 11 points per game. He was playing far more than he is now, but if Dieng even shows that he can still do those things in spurts, his minutes could climb.
Until then, he could very well be in danger of losing him spot in the rotation once more.
Everyone on the Milwaukee Bucks must be on their toes
Taylor Jenkins hasn't found a rotation he likes quite yet. It's why Dieng has been yanked in and out of the mix throughout the first dozen games. With the team struggling, Jenkins is trying everything—well, except throwing Gary Trent Jr. out there—to see where he can get a spark from. Dieng has been on both the positive and negative end of these constant tweaks, and he could suffer again.
If he doesn't start producing soon, he could lose more time to Jaime Jaquez Jr. Recently sent to the second unit after starting for the entire season up to that point, Jaquez had an excellent showing and showed that he could hold down the bench unit. As another ball-handling forward, Dieng could lose out on even more opportunities to showcase himself.
Dieng must take it one game at a time. Just like everyone else, he has no idea if he will even be in the rotation in the team's next game. Heck, he could be a starter without warning in the next outing, with how crazy the rotation changes have been lately. All he can do is play the role he's tasked with and play it incredibly well. At the moment, he's just not doing that with any consistency.
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