The Charlotte Hornets Should Keep Experimenting With This Player At Center
The Charlotte Hornets are an intriguing team, but they have a big problem. It is at the center position. The center position is derailed with injuries right now. The Hornets don't have a ton of options on the roster, there is one intriguing option that the Hornets should keep exploring.
What's Currently Going on With Mark Williams & Nick Richards
Before we get into the intriguing option, let's look into the current injuries at center for this team. The two key injured centers are Mark Williams and Nick Richards.
Nick Richards is dealing with a week-to-week rib injury. He suffered this injury against the Boston Celtics on November 1st, 2024. That sucks, because Richards has been solid in the games he started, averaging 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game.
In regards to Mark Williams, what is there really to say? Dude is a phenomenal talent, but he just can't stay healthy. Now he is dealing with a foot issue, along with whatever back problem he is dealing with. Here is the more frustrating part, it was hyped up for so many weeks before the season began, that Mark Williams was healthy and ready to go for the season opener. Well, it's November and he still has not played a game yet, which is typical of Hornets, with the injury issues that have plagued this team for the past 2-3 years.
Who Is Currently Starting For The Charlotte Hornets?
With Williams and Richards out due to injury, the Hornets have no depth at center. The only true center on this team is 39-year-old Taj Gibson, who is past his prime. However, there is one player on this team who has intrigued me with Richards and Williams's injury.
The Hornets may have something in Moussa Diabaté
There is one player that the Charlotte Hornets have been experimenting with at the center position, and his name is Moussa Diabaté. Diabaté has mainly played as a Power Forward for most of his career, but the Hornets have been trying him out in center, and there is a ton of potential there.
Diabaté is a rebounding machine, and had back-to-back 10 or more rebound games against the Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers. Diabaté has showcased some strong defensive skills as well as being a rim protector.
The big negative with Diabaté is that he's terrible on offense. He barely makes decent passes, and even when LaMelo passes the ball, he fumbles it multiple times. His shooting ability is sloppy too. While on offense he sucks, he's got so much potential on defense. With a bit more coaching, and maybe some guidance from Taj Gibson, he can improve while Richards can heal up from his injuries.
Honestly, Charlotte should keep experimenting with him, and maybe give him a start for a game, just to see how he does. No matter what, Diabaté has a lot of potential and he could be a player to keep an eye on.