Charlotte Moved Hamidou Diallo Rights for a Later Pick and Cash
On July 6, 2018, Oklahoma City received the draft rights to Kentucky guard Hamidou Diallo from Charlotte. The Hornets received cash and a 2019 second-round pick that eventually became No. 52 Jalen McDaniels. Diallo had been selected at No. 45 in the 2018 draft, so this was a rights transaction for an incoming Thunder rookie rather than an exchange of already signed NBA veterans. Oklahoma City wanted another athletic guard for a rotation built around Russell Westbrook and Paul George. Charlotte preferred a different chance to develop a player the following summer, along with immediate financial compensation. The assets were a single future second and cash, not a first-rounder or an additional Thunder player.
Diallo Supplied NBA Guard Minutes and Won the Dunk Contest
Diallo played 51 Thunder regular-season games during 2018-19 and averaged 3.7 points in a modest reserve role. He also won the 2019 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, a visible individual accomplishment that should not be confused with All-Star level production. He continued as an Oklahoma City guard in subsequent seasons before joining Detroit through another transaction. The Thunder C grade in the inherited review acknowledges legitimate athleticism and developmental game minutes, but the guard did not become a franchise centerpiece. His later Pistons statistics belong to Detroit, not to Oklahoma City. Nonetheless, he was a real NBA player acquired for a later second-round pick rather than an unused unsigned right.
McDaniels Eventually Became an NBA Hornets Forward
Charlotte used its 2019 No. 52 selection on San Diego State forward Jalen McDaniels. He entered the NBA gradually and eventually became a Hornets rotation forward capable of providing defense, rebounding and outside shots. McDaniels played for Charlotte over several seasons before changing clubs in a separate 2023 trade. Those team-specific appearances meant the Hornets acquired actual NBA development value from the future choice, in addition to cash in 2018. The inherited Oklahoma City Thunder Win designation conflicts with Charlotte C+ against the Thunder C, so the grading merits review rather than an unannounced reversal. The teams pursued different prospect timelines and both obtained NBA rotation possibilities. One side got Diallo promptly; the other waited to draft McDaniels.
Final Verdict
Oklahoma City Thunder Win in the inherited verdict even though Charlotte earns C+ and the Thunder C. Oklahoma City received Hamidou Diallo rights, producing 51 rookie games and a 2019 Slam Dunk Contest win. Charlotte acquired cash and the 2019 No. 52 choice used on Jalen McDaniels, who became a Hornets rotation forward.