Detroit Pistons trade update: Hamidou Diallo could be a steal

Detroit Pistons: Scouting report on Hamidou Diallo

Strengths: Most fans know Diallo from winning the Slam Dunk Contest in 2019, showing his elite athleticism along the way. Remember him jumping over Shaq?

Diallo is a 6-foot-5 guard/wing with a massive wingspan, which is something that Troy Weaver clearly likes as an attribute, as he has been grabbing guys who fit this profile.

Diallo can get up and down the floor and thrives in transition, where he gets most of his buckets.

He has the tools to be an elite defender, though he still needs some improvement in that area. He gives Detroit another lengthy guy to put on the perimeter, showing that the Pistons are trying to build around defense first, which I love.

Diallo is a restricted free agent, but he is only 22-years-old, so he is a guy the Pistons might take a chance on long term. I especially love that he has improved every season he’s been in the league and his numbers are way up across the board this year as he got more minutes.

He is up to 11.9 points and 5.2 rebounds in just under 24 minutes a game, all marked improvements over last season. Grabbing guys on the end of their rookie deals who have not yet come close to their ceiling is a solid strategy for Detroit, as they can potentially get all of their prime years for cheap.

This is a guy whose best days are still ahead of him and he’ll get a chance to thrive in Detroit in an expanded role much like Grant and Jackson have.

Weaknesses: Diallo definitely won’t help Detroit’s woeful 3-point shooting as he is not much of a shooter from anywhere on the floor, including the foul line.

Diallo has never had much of an offensive game in the half court and though he is a good rebounder for his size, he is not going to blow by guys off the dribble or set up teammates much.

He is more of a slasher and rim runner, so there is some question about his offensive game and whether it will ever get there. He showed the ability to hit spot-up 3-pointers in college but it has not translated to the NBA.

The shot is often the last thing to come around and there is a long history of players improving in that area, so Diallo still has a lot of upside and could get a lot better, similar to Jerami Grant, though Grant has always been a better shooter.