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The New Orleans Pelicans have opted against extending big man Cheick Diallo a qualifying offer, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, making him an unrestricted free agent.
New Orleans is declining the qualifying offer on Cheick Diallo, which will make him an unrestricted free agent, league sources tell ESPN. Diallo, 22, adds another quality young big to the marketplace next week.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 26, 2019
Diallo averaged 6.0 points and 5.2 rebounds in 14.0 minutes over 64 appearances with New Orleans last season, all career-highs. He also shot a personal-best 62.0 percent from the field, an especially impressive showing because he began taking mid-range jumpers far more frequently.
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At 6-foot-9, 220 pounds, Diallo lacks the size to bang in the paint with dominant centers like Joel Embiid, and has for the most part proven ill-equipped when asked to step out on the floor and defend playmakers after switches. As such, he's a poor fit next to Zion Williamson in the Pelicans' frontcourt, where No. 8 overall pick Jaxson Hayes will get the chance play next season and the team is reportedly hoping to add a veteran center.
Expect Diallo to receive a fair amount of interest on the open market regardless. A late arrival to basketball at 22 years old, he has the early makings of a solid reserve big for years to come given his long arms and natural rebounding and shot-blocking instincts. If Diallo continues getting more comfortable offensively, emerging as a threat both diving to the rim and shooting jumpers after ball screens, he could prove a steal for a team that recognizes his production to this point and believes in his potential going forward.
Jahlil Okafor and former G-Leaguer Christian Wood are the only other big men other than Williamson and Hayes currently on the New Orleans' roster.
