Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Nobody expected this from Moussa Diabatè.
When the Charlotte Hornets signed Diabatè to a two-way contract at the end of July, the greater NBA world barely batted an eye. An X post by former ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski was lost among the general chatter on a Monday afternoon, and the days and weeks after the signing passed with nary a mention of Diabate when discussing Charlotte’s present or future.
Boy, was that a mistake.
The Frenchman has been salient for Charles Lee’s undermanned unit. Down three key contributors in the front court, Lee has been forced to lean on veteran journeyman Taj Gibson, fledgling rookie Tidjane Salaün, and Diabatè, who has somehow developed into Gen-Z Dennis Rodman in his short stint with the Hornets.