The Charlotte Hornets’ roster shuffle this offseason opened a spot in the frontcourt, and Moussa Diabate could be the biggest winner. With Mark Williams and Nick Richards no longer in Charlotte, Diabate is now set for a much bigger role under new head coach Charles Lee. For a 23-year-old big man who thrives on energy and versatility, this could be the moment that shapes his future.
Diabate fits the profile of the modern high-motor big. He’s relentless on the glass, constantly generating second-chance opportunities, and he finishes efficiently around the rim — converting nearly 60 percent of his shots last season. His hustle plays tend to shift momentum in games: diving for loose balls, running hard in transition, and providing the kind of physical presence that doesn’t always show up in the box score but earns trust from coaches.
Defensively, his switchability is a real weapon. He can contest at the rim, hedge on screens, and even stick with quicker forwards on the perimeter in a pinch.
Hornets believe in Moussa Diabate
The Hornets valued Diabate enough to retain him despite reported interest from other teams, which speaks to their belief in his upside. That upside is clear: if he can clean up his offensive game, he has the chance to be a dependable rotation big — maybe even a starter.
But there are limits. Diabate’s offense is still raw and heavily dependent on dump-offs, lobs, and putbacks. He has openly resisted expanding his range, saying his focus is on finishing stronger at the rim rather than stretching out to the perimeter. That decision caps his spacing value in an offense that badly needs shooting around Ball and Brandon Miller. His free-throw percentage — under 61 percent for his career — also raises concerns about whether improved shooting touch will ever come.
Moussa Diabate isn't perfect
There are smaller issues too: he can be pushed around by bulkier centers, struggles at times as a screen-setter, and occasionally racks up undisciplined fouls. The roadmap to earning starter-level minutes isn’t complicated, but it will require growth. Improving his screening technique, making basic reads out of short rolls, and becoming a steadier finisher could all push him closer to the front of the rotation.
The Hornets don’t need Diabate to be a stretch big. What they need is for him to be a defensive anchor, a relentless rebounder, and a motor player who tilts energy in their favor. If he delivers that consistently, he could go from fringe rotation piece to a vital part of Charlotte’s rebuild.