Pistons wing Hamidou Diallo, a free agent after the season, suffered a Grade 2 right ankle sprain in Monday’s game against Portland, according to a team press release. Diallo will be reevaluated in three-to-four weeks, the release adds.
It’s likely that Diallo has played his last game this season, given that Detroit sits at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings and the team will play its finale in about four-and-a-half weeks.
Diallo has played 56 games off the bench this season, averaging 9.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists. The high-flying, energetic Diallo turned his ankle late in the fourth quarter against the Blazers.
Diallo had been playing his best ball this season prior to the injury, averaging 14.4 points over the last nine games for the injury-depleted Pistons.
His explosive moves to the basket led a career-best 57.3 field goal percentage this season, though he remains a non-threat from the perimeter (27.4% on 3-pointers in his career). Diallo, 24, is making $5.2MM this season.
Bummer. He’s played pretty well since December (last 30+ games!)
Get better and come back to the D next year!
Sort of good timing, now there is plenty of room to look at Hayes, Hampton a bit more. Given Detroits season its an easy way to make a tough decision.
Hayes needs to be traded on draft night
Playing like a guy you don’t trade just yet, or Hampton is the guy, and Hayes is the odd man-out?
Either way its good for Detroit, and I haven’t given up on Hayes. Considering a guy like Kris Dunn has held on so long, and it looks to be paying off. DSJ is another late blooming PG success story