How Moussa Diabate’s Breakout Season Could Be the Blueprint for Nae’Qwan Tomlin’s Rise in Cleveland
Moussa Diabate might be making headlines this week for his role in the Hornets-Pistons scuffle, but don’t let the drama overshadow what’s really important: the 24-year-old big man is having a breakout year that’s turning heads for all the right reasons. And if you’re the Cleveland Cavaliers, you’re probably watching closely - because Diabate’s rise offers a clear path forward for Nae’Qwan Tomlin.
Let’s start with what’s made Diabate so impactful in Charlotte this season. He’s not just logging minutes - he’s earning them with relentless hustle, elite-level offensive rebounding, and a fearless approach to physical play.
His motor doesn’t stop. Whether it’s chasing down second-chance points or contesting shots at the rim, Diabate plays like every possession matters.
That kind of energy is infectious - and it’s a big reason why he’s carved out such a key role for the Hornets.
Defensively, he’s been a disruptor. With his length and bounce, Diabate has become a reliable rim protector who doesn’t shy away from contact - he welcomes it.
That edge was on full display during the recent altercation with Jalen Duren. Diabate didn’t back down, and while no one’s condoning fights, his response told you everything you need to know about his mentality: he's tough, he's competitive, and he’s not going to be pushed around.
Now shift the focus to Cleveland, where Nae’Qwan Tomlin is quietly building something of his own. Tomlin shares a lot of the same tools that have made Diabate successful - size, athleticism, and a sneaky-strong frame.
But more importantly, he shares that same relentless mindset. Tomlin doesn’t coast through possessions.
He plays hard, embraces contact, and brings the kind of energy that coaches love and teammates feed off.
That’s why Cleveland made the call to convert Tomlin’s two-way contract into a standard deal. They’ve seen enough to know he belongs.
And while he’s not projected to slide into a starting role anytime soon - not with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley anchoring the frontcourt - Tomlin is already proving he can be a reliable part of the Cavs’ rotation. That’s no small feat on a team with playoff aspirations.
The Cavaliers’ frontcourt depth is quietly becoming a real strength. With Allen and Mobley leading the way, and Thomas Bryant providing steady veteran minutes, adding a high-energy contributor like Tomlin gives Cleveland a four-man rotation that can weather injuries and still hold the paint. Mobley’s currently sidelined, but the Cavs haven’t looked undersized - and that’s a testament to what Tomlin and Bryant are bringing off the bench.
Look back at Charlotte for a moment. Diabate didn’t start the season as the Hornets’ go-to big.
He was battling Ryan Kalkbrenner for minutes. But eventually, his effort and production forced head coach Charles Lee’s hand.
Diabate simply played too hard, too well, to be denied.
That’s the kind of trajectory Tomlin could follow. He doesn’t need to be the star.
He just needs to keep doing what he’s doing - playing with energy, embracing his role, and staying ready. He’s already made the leap from two-way to full-time NBA rotation player.
That’s a huge step, especially for a 25-year-old who’s still getting his NBA legs under him.
For Cleveland, that’s a win. And for Tomlin, the blueprint is right there - just look at Diabate. Keep bringing the motor, keep owning your minutes, and everything else will take care of itself.