Keita Bates-Diop is on the move for the second time this summer.
The former Ohio State forward was dealt from the New York Knicks to the Minnesota Timberwolves along with Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and a protected first-round pick (via Detroit). In return, the Knicks received Karl-Anthony Towns. The Charlotte Hornets emerged as a third team in the trade and took on salary (DaQuan Jeffries) and draft compensation to complete the blockbuster deal.
Keita Bates-Diop is coming back to where it all started. He is being included in tonight's Knicks-Wolves blockbuster, a source said. Bates-Diop was drafted by the Wolves in the second round in 2018.
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) September 28, 2024
Bates-Diop isn't the only former Buckeye who has been moved multiple times this offseason. E.J. Liddell was traded twice and released before he signed with the Chicago Bulls in early September.
Although this will be the fifth time Bates-Diop has been on the move since he was selected in the second round of the 2018 NBA draft, the 28-year-old has proven to be a solid backup forward throughout his career. Bates-Diop has averaged six points and three rebounds per game while shooting 47.4% from the floor and 33.3% from beyond the arc through six seasons.
His 2023-24 season came to an abrupt end when he suffered a stress fracture in his shin on March 23, one that required season-ending surgery. While he averaged just 1.6 points in 4.9 minutes per game after getting dealt to the Phoenix Suns midway through last campaign, the 6-foot-8 forward's best season came in 2022-23, his last with the San Antonio Spurs. Bates-Diop averaged a career-high 9.7 points, accompanied by 3.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. He shot 39.4% from beyond the arc that year.
The 6-foot-8 forward recently exercised his $2,654,644 player option for 2024-25 and will become an unrestricted free agent following next season.
He played four seasons at Ohio State, averaging 11.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. His breakout campaign came in 2017-18, when Bates-Diop averaged 19.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game, earning Big Ten Player of the Year and consensus second-team All-American honors.
Now, Bates-Diop will team up with former Ohio State guard Mike Conley back in Minnesota.
