NBA Trade Deadline: Ousmane Dieng traded to the Chicago Bulls: fresh start for the Frenchman
Oct 25, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Ousmane Dieng (13) on the court prior to the game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Ousmane Dieng (6’9″, 22 years old) is experiencing a dramatic change of scenery at this NBA trade deadline. The French forward, 2025 NBA champion with Oklahoma City Thunder was traded to the Chicago Bulls in a three-team deal orchestrated on Wednesday, February 4.
Just in: The Chicago Bulls are trading Coby White and Mike Conley Jr. to the Charlotte Hornets for Collin Sexton, Ousmane Dieng and three second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/NnHXT5b8lR
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 4, 2026
he deal unfolded in two steps, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Oklahoma City Thunder first sent Ousmane Dieng to the Charlotte Hornets, attaching a second-round pick in exchange for Mason Plumlee. From there, Charlotte immediately rerouted Dieng to the Chicago Bulls as part of a larger package that also included Collin Sexton and three second-round picks, with Coby White and Mike Conley heading the other way.
An opportunity for a rebound after three difficult seasons in OKC
Drafted 11th overall in 2022 after his stint with the New Zealand Breakers, Ousmane Dieng never managed to establish himself in Oklahoma City’s rotation. Blocked by the major trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, the Frenchman was averaging only 3.7 points and 1.6 rebounds in 10.9 minutes over 27 games this season.
In three and a half seasons with the Thunder, the France international (1 selection) played 136 regular season games with modest statistics of 4.2 points and 2.1 rebounds in 12 minutes per game. His last game with OKC on Wednesday against Orlando Magic (2 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist in 6 minutes) perfectly illustrates his lack of opportunities.
In Chicago, Dieng joins a franchise in full rebuilding mode that just parted ways with several key players like Nikola Vucevic and Kevin Huerter. The former Insep player will reunite with another Frenchman, Noa Essengue, drafted in 2025. With a contract expiring this summer, time is running out for the Lot-et-Garonne native who must make his mark to secure an extension or convince another franchise to trust him for 2025-2026.
This opportunity with the Bulls potentially represents the last chance for Ousmane Dieng, who hopes to finally exploit his potential in the United Center, the theater of Michael Jordan’s exploits.
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