Thunder Trade Ousmane Dieng and Second-Round Pick to Hornets

Casey Halston

Published: February 4, 2026 11:54 PM ET

Thunder Trade Ousmane Dieng and Second-Round Pick to Hornets

In a recent trade, the Oklahoma City Thunder have sent forward Ousmane Dieng and a 2029 second-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets. In return, the Thunder acquired center Mason Plumlee. Both teams confirmed the deal in official statements.

Details of the Trade

The transaction comes as part of a complex series of trades involving both teams. The Thunder were also in the process of acquiring Jared McCain from Philadelphia. Meanwhile, the Hornets utilized Dieng in their negotiations for Bulls guard Coby White.

Player Profiles

Ousmane Dieng: 22 years old, was the 11th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Dieng has played 136 regular-season games over three-and-a-half seasons, averaging 4.2 points and 2.1 rebounds in approximately 12 minutes per game. His performance did not meet expectations in Oklahoma City.
Mason Plumlee: The center comes to the Thunder with a one-year, minimum-salary contract valued at $2.3 million. His acquisition is primarily driven by financial considerations for Oklahoma City.

Financial Implications

This trade is strategically beneficial for the Thunder, allowing them to save $4.4 million. Dieng’s expiring contract is worth $6.7 million this season. The move positions the team to remain below the luxury tax threshold, especially as they finalize the acquisition of McCain, who is earning $4.2 million this year.

Hornets’ Strategy

The Hornets capitalized on their financial flexibility to integrate Dieng into their roster. They also gained an additional second-round pick through this transaction. The Thunder will provide Charlotte with the more favorable pick between Atlanta’s and Miami’s 2029 second-round selections.

Future Prospects

Following the immediate trade, Charlotte plans to flip Dieng to the Chicago Bulls. In this subsequent deal, Dieng and Collin Sexton will head to Chicago in exchange for Coby White and Mike Conley. It remains uncertain whether the Bulls will retain Dieng after this trade is completed.

This trade highlights the ever-evolving landscape of the NBA, where teams strategically maneuver to enhance their rosters while managing financial constraints. Fans and analysts alike will be closely watching how these developments unfold in the coming weeks.