Charlotte’s offseason overhaul has created a new kind of buzz around the Hornets, and now one of their big men is suddenly in the trade conversation.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, center Moussa Diabate has surfaced as a potential target for the New York Knicks. Fischer said the Knicks have reached out to multiple teams about center options, and Diabate was one of the names he specifically identified, along with New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi.
The timing matters. The Hornets are set to begin training camp for the 2026-27 NBA season on September 29, and the energy around the team feels different than it has in recent years. Charlotte finished last season 44-38, a mark that has plenty of fans thinking the team may be turning into a legitimate Eastern Conference playoff threat.
That optimism has come after a busy offseason. Charlotte made major changes, headlined by the decision to trade star point guard LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a blockbuster deal. The team also moved Miles Bridges to the Phoenix Suns.
Diabate’s name enters the picture because he just delivered a strong 2025-26 campaign for Charlotte. He played in 73 games, started 47 of them, and averaged 7.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and a block per game while shooting 63.1 percent from the floor.
At 24, he still fits into the long-term conversation for the Hornets. But he also could be the kind of piece Charlotte uses to bring back more future draft capital if the front office decides to keep making moves.
For now, Diabate is projected to open the season as the team’s backup center. Hannes Steinbach is listed ahead of him on the depth chart, while Ryan Kalkbrenner is currently the third center on the roster.
Whether Charlotte actually deals Diabate is still an open question. What isn’t in doubt is that his value has climbed after last season’s production.
The regular season comes fast from here. Charlotte opens on October 21 on the road against the Brooklyn Nets, then returns home on October 23 to face the Atlanta Hawks. With the roster changes and last year’s results, expectations around the Hornets have clearly risen.