Sekou Doumbouya was seen as one of the brightest young talents in the Detroit Pistons organization only a few years ago. While things have not gone well lately for the Frenchman, it seems he might be getting another shot with the Philadelphia 76ers organization.
If someone had told a Pistons fan back in 2020 that Sekou Doumbouya would be scuffling to get a spot on an NBA roster in a couple of years, they probably would have been shocked.
But Doumbouya bounced around last season, being a part of four teams (Detroit, Brooklyn, Houston and the Los Angeles Lakers) but never really finding a home. His only NBA action were two games with the Lakers, where he averaged seven points.
Doumbouya was recently a member of the Philadelphia 76ers. Yes, James Harden, Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris – and Sekou Doumbouya, were officially teammates. But just for a day.
Sixers announce the signed Aminu Mohammed and Sekou Doumbouya and subsequently waived them. They are expected to join the G League's Delaware Blue Coats for their training camp. Doumbouya was a mid-first-round pick by the Pistons in 2019 but has struggled to find NBA traction.
— Gina Mizell (@ginamizell) October 15, 2022
Many Detroit fans know, as the Pistons have been doing similar things, players get a bonus of up to $50,000 if they sign an Exhibit 10 contract with an NBA team, and then play on their G League affiliate for 60 days. However, the contract is only valid if they are on a team’s NBA roster.
But they don’t have to be on there for long. Doumbouya was a 76er, and then an ex-Sixer, on the same day. Hopefully, he gets invited to the alumni events.
But seriously, it is all good. Because he was, however briefly, on the Sixers roster, Doumbouya undoubtedly will now play for the Delaware Blue Coats, the 76ers G League team, and, thanks to having been on the 76ers roster, he can make some extra money.
Ironically, the Blue Coats need a power forward because last year’s starter, Braxton Key, is now a two-way player with the Pistons.
Sekou Doumbouya was the future of Detroit Pistons basketball
Doumbouya was kind of the golden child for the rebuild following the Stan Van Gundy era. As most Pistons fans know, Doumbouya was the 15th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, and it was emphasized, over and over, that he was only 18-years-old.
(FYI, Doumbouya is still just 21)
On a team bereft of young talent, many people saw the 6-foot-9 Frenchman as a player who could help jump start the franchise.
His first season, Doumbouya played a lot in the G League for the Grand Rapids Drive, and looked pretty good. He had a great stretch with the Pistons, where he scored in double figures in six out of seven games, including dropping 24 points on the Boston Celtics. And he was only18, fans were constantly reminded.
But in the 2020-21 season, Doumbouya did not progress. More importantly, he never showed consistency. He would tease with flashes of fine play, but then you would not hear his name called for a quarter. When Blake Griffin was bought out, it opened the power forward spot in the starting lineup. But, instead of inserting Doumbouya, coach Dwane Casey made rookie Saddiq Bey a starter, moving Jerami Grant to power forward.
He did end the season on a high note, scoring in double figures in five of the last six games he played.
However, general manager Troy Weaver, who was not around when he was drafted, decided in September, 2021, to put him in a package to Brooklyn for DeAndre Jordan (immediately waived) and four second-round picks.
Brooklyn cut him a month later and Houston then signed him, and cut him after a month, as well. The Lakers inked Doumbouya to a two-way contract twice, but he was released by them, for the final time, on March 1.
Doumbouya is now looking for a fresh start in the City of Brotherly Love.
What are Sekou Doumbouya chances with the Philadelphia 76ers?
The 76ers, due to moves made in the off-season, are hemmed in by a hard salary cap, so they could use some help that comes cheaply. They are also only carrying 14 players on their NBA roster, so the 76ers could add someone without having to cut.
Due to the depth they added this off-season, the Sixers released two young players, Isaiah Joe (now with the Thunder) and center Charles Bassey, so their contracts would not get guaranteed.
At power forward, according to Sixerswire, the Sixers will start 37-year-old P.J. Tucker with Georges Niang, a defensive liability but great shooter, and rookie Julian Champagnie, a two-way player, serving as reserves.
That is not exactly Karl Malone and Tim Duncan standing between Doumbouya and a chance to be on the 76ers roster. If Doumbouya plays well for the Blue Coats, he could get moved up to the Sixers.
Doumbouya was not a bad player for the Pistons, but he never seemed to be able to get solid footing in the rotation. Maybe a fresh start in Philly will be the answer.