Everyone has their own pet archetypes of players they target for their platonic ideal of a basketball team, especially as you move beyond the superstars and into role players, with some preferring one flaw to another. One of the more polarizing player types is raw, hyperathletic wings. I am here to argue they, and one in particular, deserve your patience even if falling short of once-lofty standards.
Draft experts are often drawn more to these players because they see the ceiling. Coaches, however (especially in more dire situations) tend to shy away because they know that potential takes time, something the coach themselves is rarely afforded. However, if they were able to ride the rollercoaster of development, the reward could very well be worth the reward.
With that in mind, Hamidou Diallo should be considered by many teams during the upcoming free agency period.
Archetypal Examples
Often, after one too many sophomoric mistakes, coaches can be unmotivated to continue to give young players reps. It is easy to forget just why a front office signed them in the first place, especially in the middle of a listless season, with little to play for over months at a time. But these developmental reps, often when few are watching, can be of immense value for flawed players attempting to make a leap to relevance.
Josh Smith came out of high school raw as could be. By the time he left Atlanta, he was considered one of the best active players to never make an All-Star appearance with career averages of 15.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.1 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game. Even if that was his peak (let’s not talk about his time in Detroit), those nine seasons were worth the developmental time, a key contributor to playoff teams in Atlanta.
Aaron Gordon may be the peak of this archetype working out currently without being too lofty. Never quite an All-Star, but turning over time the sparks of stardom to become a vital cog on a title-contending team. For the ceiling, Jaylen Brown is what it looks like if everything hits right. Elite defender, has All-NBA upside and can be one of the top two scorers on a title team. Jonathan Kuminga fits into this mold as well, adjusting to a role he likely didn’t expect for himself under the guidance of the Golden State Warriors’ system.
Today’s Case
This brings us to Hamidou Diallo, not as lauded as these precedents as the #45 pick in his draft. Diallo is likely set up to be a reserve for the foreseeable future. However, it is unfair to Diallo to consider him a lost cause by any means. The energy and athleticism he showcases every time he touches the court are tantalizing. Despite only playing 18 minutes per game, he is second on the team in deflections, third in steals, fourth in loose balls recovered. His dynamic play especially shines in transition, where he is tied with Tyrese Maxey for tenth in the league in transition scoring efficiency at 71% effective field goal percentage, getting to the line once of every five transition possessions.
For anyone who is not a regular watcher of the Detroit Pistons, it may be easy to underrate the impact Hamidou Diallo can make on the court. Plenty of Pistons fans did just that when the trade was made on March 13, 2021, to swap out Svi Mykhailiuk. Since then Mykhailiuk has played for four teams while Diallo has endeared himself to his new fanbase.
Statistical Comparison
Do not get me wrong, I am not alluding to an All-NBA trajectory for Diallo. However, there is plenty to like here. Here is a statistical comparison of these four players over the first five seasons per 36 minutes:
Smith (2005-2009): 15.1 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.3 steals, and 2.6 blocks
Brown (2016-2021): 19.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.5 blocks
Gordon (2014-2019): 16.1 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.8 blocks
Diallo (2019-present): 16.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.6 blocks
Diallo’s stats are not far off from what we see in these comp cases, even as they were all much higher-priority draft picks. Diallo has improved despite playing the least minutes (4,913 compared to 12,550, 9,339, and 9,500) and games (263 vs. 376, 337, and 341) of the group, lending to variability of performance as well. Importantly, though, the rebounding and steals numbers stand out as the 6’5” guard has made himself a consistent physical presence. Remember he is doing this in a tanking situation and imagine what he could bring to a winner, and with a clearer role in future seasons.
Efficiency was less than stellar overall early on. Despite being primarily a dunker, Smith did not clear 45 percent from the field until year 4. Gordon continued to chuck 3s even though they were not something he ever really mastered. Only Brown found his stride there and it is why his ceiling is the highest of the group. What was important for each was their team finding the role they fit in. Diallo giving up on the three-ball has been a blessing, with career-high true shooting that is above league average for the first time in his career even as his rate of scoring has increased.
Developmental Differences
Brown is a different animal given the impressive development of his shotmaking over his career. He was paired with elite talent early on in his career and found his spots from the start. Gordon, on the other hand, needed to move on from Orlando to Denver to find his role. No longer was he looked at as a foundational building block. He could be a fourth option on offense and an elite defender. Smith was helped by playing off of Al Horford where he could become a dunker, rebounder, and defender with solid passing chops.
What was paramount for both of them and what Detroit is doing with Diallo, is putting them alongside top-scoring options who are still willing to get others involved. Gordon is blossoming alongside Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Smith took off with the ascendance of Joe Johnson and Al Horford. For Diallo, fitting in with the core of Detroit as it grows or in a newer situation would be paramount to his development. Playing off of Bojan Bogdanovic has been a boon for Hamidou in particular, with their +6.9 net rating together being Detroit’s top duo of any that has played 250+ minutes this season.
But now, the future is unclear. Diallo is slated to miss the rest of the season with an ankle sprain. As an upcoming free agent, it is worth looking at what he has shown to both Detroit and others to get his new contract. When looking at this, it also sheds some insight into why writing off a project before seeing it through can come back to punish anyone in the league. This is the resume that Diallo is presenting to those who should sign him.
Potential Lows
When it comes to investing in this archetype of player, there will be highs and lows. The flashes of brilliance (more on those later) get scouts drooling. Then things like this happen:
Just a little too aggressive. Not quite sure how to get into position. When this happens in closer games that mean something, that is a quick way to get a hook. In fact, Diallo found himself regularly out of the rotation early in his tenure in Detroit. Dwane Casey wanted to develop him, but he also wanted it clear that trust is earned.
Sometimes there is too much spring. Other times, gambling gets you out of position. However, one of the most common issues is trusting athleticism over mechanics too often, and that leading to mistakes.
It is tough watching this and calling this play a failure. He outhustles everyone and the move at the rim is so smooth. However, if Hamidou Diallo did something less flashy on the drive, perhaps he could have converted the basket before the buzzer. That drives coaches crazy.
Other times, confidence goes too far. If this dunk connects, even the Minnesota faithful would have lost their minds. Diallo rose up and was met at the rim by a mountain of muscle. This is not the end of the world when this happens on occasion. But, if you get less than seven shots a game, if a few are ill-advised aggression into a defender much bigger than you could quickly lose those opportunities.
Defensive Positive
Negatives aside, there is so much potential on both ends of the ball. If this type of talent is cultivated the rewards jump off the page.
This play is borderline harassment. He survives the pick and switch. Using his nearly 7-foot wingspan he is able to eliminate the passing lane without even looking. And, as will be a common theme for the former Slam Dunk Contest winner, the end result typically sees him rim running. Being able to realistically put Hami on a power forward and point guard successfully in the same position showcases his versatility.
In niche situations, he can even cover some fives. Keeping the feet moving and staying in front of a barrelling Naz Reid has been an increasingly tougher assignment across the league this season. The verticality, though, is chef’s kiss. Two years ago Hami would have almost always ended that play with a foul. Instead, he stays straight up, forces the deflection, and keys the transition attack.
Getting the athleticism to truly work often shows in recovery. For most players, if they were caught in a pick and their man got free, the shot is not going to be contested by them. Instead of remaining a step behind Anthony Edwards, Diallo takes the road less traveled and volleyball spikes his shot at the rim.
This is why, on the defensive end, it is worth working with players in this mold. if they’re willing to put in the hard work, refining this is rewarding. Over the course of four plays we saw Hamidou Diallo guard all five positions. Switchability and disruption are teachable skills with the right physical tools. He has been held accountable on that end and it is starting to come together. It also allows him to often remain the offensive human highlight film.
Offensive Explosion
Different players take the reigns their athleticism in different ways. Hamidou Diallo becomes an acrobat and a rim murderer.
It is easy to forget that Diallo once won a Dunk Contest. The event has become something of an afterthought and at the time he was a second-round rookie. But watching what he does in-game, you get it real quick.
It is far more than that, though. Even up in the air, Diallo is able to contort his body around defenders and plays the glass well. This is not easy to do, but Hami does this at least once every time he is on the floor. Would you prefer a little less flash and perhaps a little more shooting (27.4 from beyond the arc for his career)? Sure. But this is fun too.
For Diallo, it is a lot of cuts, putbacks, oops, and transition. He is a capable passer and is unselfish with the ball. His teammates love him and he is showing that hard work can absolutely pay off.
Where Do We Go From Here
Diallo being a looming free agent presents some questions for a team with the worst record in the league. As a non-shooter, it is tough to start him alongside the bigs and Ivey who need spacing. Off the bench, there is a little more room for him to work as he provides a release valve as often the most athletic player on the floor with just enough skill to get things done.
This is why it is a blessing and a curse for teams to develop this kind of player. Shooting is often the swing skill. If Diallo could shoot he would be a starter for plenty of team in the league. As is, he is likely a career rotation player, or maybe fifth starter in an ideal spot. If he goes to another team fans who have not kept up with his Pistons tenure (and, fair) will likely roll their eyes. Then he will check in during a second quarter of a November game. He will swallow up a block and drive in transition. He will set Twitter (if it still exists) ablaze with a hammer over a hapless defender.
These kinds of players have value. Diallo brings it every night, and has turned himself into a player who deserves all the minutes he gets. Even when his teammates are in the season’s doldrums, Diallo is always ready for the smoke. That plus the defense, dunking, and energy make him, and his ilk, some of the most fun prospects to take a chance on. Teams with a space on the bench should absolutely be calling his number.
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