Moussa Diabate is expected to play a crucial role for the Charlotte Hornets this season, especially because they have a scarcity of options at his position. It also seems they have valued him so much since bringing him on a two-way contract last year. Apparently, the Hornets could have traded Diabate if they wanted to swap him for presumably more assets.
According to Richie Randall of the Buzz Beat podcast, the organization "received trade offers" for the big man despite his low-usage play in the 2024-25 season. The media personality even said that he could "confirm" that such talks took place.
It's unclear what teams called the Hornets if the rumor rings true. It wouldn't be surprising for Diabate to garner interest around the league, though, given his impressive rebounding abilities. In spite of Charles Lee not putting him on the floor as much as fans had wanted through the 2024-25 campaign, the French big man made quite an impact on the boards. Scoring-wise, he proved to be a bit raw, although it was a positive sign that he connected on 59.6 percent of his field-goal attempts.
The other facets of his game are still rough around the edges. For instance, his capability of guarding elite centers remains suspect. Also, becoming a better screener and connective passer should help him get more involved in Charlotte's offense and prove worthy of securing more minutes in the 2025-26 campaign.
Maybe skipping the opportunity to play for the ill-fated French national team at EuroBasket 2025 has given Diabate more time to address his shortcomings.
Hornets evidently appreciate Moussa Diabate's value to the franchise
Even with Diabate exhibiting some flaws, Charlotte has obviously thought highly of the promising pivot.
Only time will tell if it views him as its center of the future, although many pundits likely think of him as a career backup and fringe starter. Whatever the case may be, the Hornets have seen enough to choose to retain him and let go of Mark Williams, who was swapped for a future draft pick, a yet-unproven wing player, and an expendable veteran both in February and this summer, and Nick Richards this year.
Without the two players who were ahead of him in the depth chart and the absence of better reinforcements at the five, the 23-year-old hoopster should have plenty of chances to develop and repay the Hornets' trust in him. Whether he can capitalize on the presumed increase in playing time and help Charlotte rise in the standings remains to be seen.