Our player preview series for the 2024 Clippers continues with Moussa Diabate, the team’s third-string center.
Basic Information
Height: 6’11”
Weight: 210 pounds
Position: Power forward/Center
Age: 21
Years in NBA: 1
Key Stats: 2.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.4 blocks on 51.5/50/62.5 splits across 22 games in 8.9 minutes per game
Contract status: Two-way contract worth $559,782 this season
Expectations
Moussa Diabate is coming into the 2023-24 season with not much expected of him. There isn’t any real pathway towards rotation minutes barring any major injuries (knock on wood).
Diabate is going to get plenty of reps in the G League though, leading the Ontario Clippers. He’s still a raw prospect and a long-term one at that. Playing in the G League will help him continue to develop.
Strengths
Diabate is a high-energy player especially on the glass. In the limited minutes he did see during the regular season, the offensive glass in particular was where he was able to make his mark.
In the G League, he did show an ability to score and defend and was named to the G League All-Rookie Team. While those were strengths in the G League, it remains to be seen if those skills can translate to the NBA.
Weaknesses
Diabate is still a very raw player offensively. The Clippers aren’t going to be counting on him to create his own shot anytime soon. Right now his best offensive weapon is being active around the rim and getting put back opportunities.
He’s also listed as a center, but he’s a little bit undersized for the position and that can hinder him on the defensive end trying to guard bigger NBA centers.
Summary
Overall, there are still too many unknowns about Diabate to really project his future. He was dealing with injury issues during Summer League, so Clippers fans weren’t even able to really get a gauge on him.
The Clippers obviously think enough of him to have brought him back. But it’s going to be a while before Clippers fans get to see him in meaningful game action. Tune in to the Ontario Clippers to se Diabate in live game reps.
