The Charlotte Hornets deserve credit for discovering and developing Moussa Diabate. It appears they have found another player whose two-way deal they can eventually turn into a standard contract, as Antonio Reeves has shown potential in becoming a rotation player.
Last year, the Hornets brought in Diabate as one of their three two-way guys, and he immediately displayed his value as a strong rebounder and an active, even if limited, defender. The organization never said it out loud, but his emergence may have helped it feel comfortable shipping Nick Richards and Mark Williams to a different home.
It took a while, but the Hornets finally gave Diabate a standard deal around the 2025 trade deadline. He then proved worthy of the decision by being considered as the team's starting center this season. Ryan Kalkbrenner has locked up the role, although Moose has found a niche as a high-energy, change-of-pace big man off the bench.
Antonio Reeves can also fill a hole on Hornets
Only time will tell if Reeves can follow in Diabate's footsteps, but he has looked too good for the G League and has shown promise as a 3-and-D wing for Charlotte, even after just two appearances.
In the squad's loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday, he got an extended run, suiting up for 17 minutes. And he did not disappoint.
Against the reigning champion's vaunted perimeter defenders, Reeves went 3-5 from 3-point land, displaying the ability to space the floor and fit well with coach Charles Lee's offensive system. Of course, he's more than just a shooter, as his G League stint has also proven that he can slash to the rim when provided the opportunity.
Perhaps what was more noteworthy in his performance against Oklahoma City was his surprising defense. His lithe frame has had people wondering whether he can be an NBA-level defender. For one possession, though, the University of Kentucky product dispelled those concerns by holding his own against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He used his lateral quickness to stay in front of the MVP and displayed enough discipline not to fall for the foul-baiting technique that many other players have been duped by.
If Reeves can progress into a lights-out shooter and decent perimeter stopper, there may be room for him in Lee's rotation. For now, there is already a surplus of wing players in Charlotte, and probably the only reason he got an extended run on Saturday was the inavailability of LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Liam McNeeley, and Josh Green.
However, the front office will eventually have to assess whether Green can be effective in the role it expects him to fulfill and if a backcourt rotation consisting of Collin Sexton, Tre Mann, and KJ Simpson is sustainable on both ends of the floor. A possible roster reshuffling months from now could gift Reeves the opportunity to become a key part of the Hornets' rotation.