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OKC Thunder offseason report card – Grading every Sam Presti move

By Lawrence George

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 9: Paul George #13 of the OKC Thunder looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on November 9, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Bart YoungNBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 9: Paul George #13 of the OKC Thunder looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on November 9, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Bart YoungNBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder guard Hamidou Diallo
BOISE, ID – MARCH 17: Hamidou Diallo #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates after dunking against the Buffalo Bulls during the second half in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 17, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Hamidou Diallo – Three years, $4 million

Deal Structure:

2018-19 – $838,464
2019-20 – $1,416,852
2020-21 – $1,663,861
2021-22 – $2,145,192 (Qualifying Offer)

Presti made a sneaky draft day trade with the Charlotte Hornets, netting Kentucky redshirt Hamidou Diallo in exchange for OKC’s 2019 second round pick and cash. The 45th pick flashed his impressive athletic ability, utilizing his 40.5-inch vertical in a number of highlight slams in Summer League.

Interestingly, Diallo supposedly hit a 44-inch vertical in testing in the 2017-18 combine so one wonders if the ankle injury really shaved off four inches (possible error in combine testing).

His best Summer League performance came against the Brooklyn Nets where he posted 19 points and 8 rebounds.

While still extremely raw, the 6’5 guard (with an impressive 6’11 wingspan) has tremendous upside and appears to fit OKC’s desire to live on the break. He has a rudimentary skill set at the moment, needing to improve his handle, the ability to create shots and hit open threes consistently. Frustratingly, he joins the long line of terrible free throw shooters on the roster hitting a shade over 61 percent from the line in college.

Light on draft picks for the foreseeable future, Presti needed to be savvy to keep the talent pool ticking over. After impressing in SL, Presti awarded the 19 year-old with a three year, $4 million contract. Diallo is another low-risk, high reward player with ample time to develop.

With this kind of attitude, he will slide into OKC’s system seamlessly. Solid move from a position of weakness.

Grade: B

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