In a summer full of twists, turns, and a blockbuster trade, the Milwaukee Bucks re-signing Ousmane Dieng wasn't a headline grabber. Still, it was among their most underrated moves, considering the Bucks will either have a legitimate rotation piece on a team-friendly deal or can use his salary as easy filler in a trade. It's hard to be mad about this one at all.
Dieng's deal gives the Bucks flexibility
In total, Dieng's extension is worth $17.25 million over three years. For a player who showed flashes like he did last season, paying $5.75 million annually is certainly a bargain. That goes without noting that the third year is a team option, so the Milwaukee Bucks have an easy out if Dieng struggles, or they can decide to bring him back for cheap if he's succeeding.
In a league where valuable wings go for $20, $30, or even $40 million annually, landing one with the upside of Dieng at this price is certainly welcome. Of course, the forward is far from polished. His time with the Milwaukee Bucks was the first time in his four seasons that he had an opportunity to spread his wings and play consistently, so there were bumps in the road. Yet, he can grow from them.
The Bucks clearly felt like he was worth investing in, and a larger opportunity likely awaits him this coming NBA season.
For now, Dieng should be a contributor
With Giannis Antetokounmpo gone, there is now a Grand Canyon-sized vacancy at power forward in Milwaukee. To rub salt in the wound, it's arguably the weakest position the Bucks currently have as far as rotational pieces. Every player involved, including Dieng, Kyle Kuzma, Nate Ament, and Bogoljub Markovic will all have an opportunity to make their mark and be the Greek Freak's successor.
Dieng should feel good about his odds. Kuzma may begin the season as a starter, but he feels like an obvious trade chip with his expiring salary. Ament and Markovic may be the future, but they are both baby-faced rookies who will need time to grow before they are truly ready. That gives Dieng, who has experience, is young, and finds himself under team control, a golden opportunity to prove himself.
If he builds off last season's success and becomes a mainstay for the Milwaukee Bucks, his deal may go down as one of the biggest steals of this past summer.
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