Detroit Pistons trade update: Hamidou Diallo could be a steal

Hamidou Diallo brings elite athleticism to the Detroit Pistons (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Hamidou Diallo brings elite athleticism to the Detroit Pistons (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Pistons, Svi Mykhailuk
Svi Mykhailiuk #19 of the Detroit Pistons Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE. /

The Detroit Pistons kicked off the trade season by sending Svi Mykhailiuk to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Hamidou Diallo, who could be a steal.

The deal was first reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN:

The deal will reportedly send the struggling Mykhailiuk and a 2027 second-rounder to the Thunder in exchange for Diallo.

On paper, this is not a deal that is going to shake the foundations of the league since both guys are  going to be restricted free agents at the end of the season and the second-round pick is currently in the 6th grade.

light. Related Story. Trade rumors: Could Jerami Grant be traded to the Celtics?

But like all Troy Weaver deals, there may be more to it than meets the eye, as Diallo is an ascending player who fits the mold of what the Pistons are trying to build.

Detroit Pistons: Troy Weaver has an eye for undervalued talent

Troy Weaver has shown a sharp eye for undervalued talent since joining the Pistons as GM. He went hard after Jerami Grant which has proven to be a smart choice.

He saw value in Mason Plumlee, Delon Wright, Josh Jackson and Wayne Ellington, which has worked out so far.

He grabbed Isaiah Stewart and traded for Saddiq Bey before adding Saben Lee in the second round, all of which are looking like good choices.

In other words, I trust that Troy Weaver did his homework on Diallo and went after him for a reason.

The fact that he was able to get him for practically nothing is even better, as Svi Mykhailiuk has been largely disappointing and second-round picks in 2027 are hardly going to make or break a franchise.

Let’s take a closer look at Diallo to see what he can bring to the Detroit Pistons and if they view him as a piece of the core moving forward.