Wizards Sign, Waive Hamidou Diallo, Gabe Kalscheur
2:10pm: Diallo and Kalscheur have been waived, the Wizards announced (via Twitter).
11:12am: The Wizards have signed free agent wing Hamidou Diallo and guard Gabe Kalscheur to Exhibit 10 contracts, the team announced today (via Twitter).
Diallo, 25, was the 45th overall pick in the 2018 draft. Over the last five years, he has appeared in 263 regular season games for the Thunder and Pistons, averaging 8.6 points and 3.8 rebounds in 18.7 minutes per night. Last season, he made a career-high 57.3% of shots from the field in 56 games (17.8 MPG) for Detroit, putting up 9.3 PPG and 3.5 RPG.
I gave Diallo a spot near the bottom of my list of this year’s top 50 free agents, writing that his athleticism, rebounding ability, and defensive acumen helped make up for his lack of outside shot. However, it seems NBA teams weren’t as high on the veteran wing, who remained on the market for over three-and-a-half months before finally catching on today with the Wizards.
The terms of Diallo’s deal – along with Washington’s roster crunch – indicates that the plan is for him to be waived and join the Capital City Go-Go, the Wizards’ G League affiliate. That’s presumably the next step for Kalscheur too. Both players would earn Exhibit 10 bonuses worth up to $75K if they spend at least 60 days with the Go-Go.
An undrafted rookie out of Iowa State, Kalscheur averaged 12.9 PPG on .400/.354/.726 shooting in 33 games (33.6 MPG) as a super-senior in 2022/23.
Northwest Notes: Micic, Williams, Holmgren, Wolves, Blazers’ Pick
Former EuroLeague MVP Vasilije Micic is in Oklahoma City to discuss a potential contract with the Thunder, Aris Barkas of Eurohoops.net reports. Negotiations can commence after the draft, Barkas adds.
Micic, who plays for Anadolu Efes, hired the Wasserman Media Group as his new representative in March. Micic, whose draft rights are owned by the Thunder, is a two-time Euroleague Final Four MVP. However, it’s unclear whether the Thunder would have a role for the 29-year-old guard, whose rights could be traded if he wants to make the jump to the NBA.
We have more from the Northwest Division:
- Coming off an excellent rookie season, Jalen Williams will play in Summer League games for the Thunder in Salt Lake City next month, Thunder reporter Rylan Stiles tweets. Ousmane Dieng will also play and it’s “very possible” Chet Holmgren, who missed all of last season with a foot injury, could participate.
- The Timberwolves hosted six prospects in a pre-draft workout on Monday, the team tweets. They took a closer look at Tosan Evbuomwan (Princeton), Jazian Gortman (Overtime Elite), D’Moi Hodge (Missouri), Gabe Kalscheur (Iowa State), Mojave King (G League Ignite) and Jalen Slawson (Furman).
- Rumors have been flying that the Trail Blazers will deal their lottery pick. Bill Oram of The Oregonian argues that the Blazers need to hold onto the No. 3 overall selection and choose their next star, regardless of whether Damian Lillard remains with the team or requests a trade.
Southeast Draft Notes: Miller, Hornets, Council, Smith
The Hornets hold the No. 2 pick and Alabama forward Brandon Miller will work out for them on Tuesday, Ashley Stroehlein of WCNC tweets. Miller and G League guard Scoot Henderson are the top contenders to be chosen at the No. 2 spot. It was previously reported that Miller was scheduled to work out for Charlotte on Tuesday and the plans obviously didn’t change. In fact, he has already arrived in Charlotte.
We have more draft-related news from the Southeast Division:
- Prior to Miller’s visit, the Hornets were busy looking at other prospects on Monday. According to a team press release, Gonzaga guard Rasir Bolton, Arizona State guard Desmond Cambridge Jr., San Jose State guard Omari Moore, South Alabama center Kevin Samuel, Illinois guard Matthew Mayer and Baylor forward Flo Thamba worked out for Charlotte. A majority of those players will be looking to get picked up as free agents after the draft.
- Arkansas guard Ricky Council IV, a potential second-round pick, was among the players who visited the Hawks on Monday, Lauren Williams of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweets. Council is ranked No. 52 on ESPN’s Best Available list. Four other guards — Detroit Mercy’s Antoine Davis, Notre Dame’s Dane Goodwin, Iowa State’s Gabe Kalscheur and Kansas State’s Markquis Nowell — joined him along with Ohio State wing Justice Sueing.
- North Carolina State guard Terquavion Smith (No. 41 on ESPN’s list) headlined the group of six prospects that visited the Wizards on Monday. Utah State forward Daniel Akin, Oklahoma big man Tanner Groves, Southern Utah wing Tevian Jones, Rutgers guard Caleb McConnell and Wichita State guard Craig Porter Jr. joined Smith in the pre-draft workout, Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington tweets.