Charlotte, NC — The Charlotte Hornets have exercised the full guarantee on center Moussa Diabate’s contract for the 2026-27 season, according to a report from ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk.
The move locks in Diabate’s $2,461,462 salary for next year, solidifying the return of a player who started 47 of the Hornets’ 73 games in 2025-26 and emerged as one of the league’s best values.
Diabate originally signed a non-guaranteed deal that would have become partially guaranteed for $250,000 had he made the 2026-27 opening-night roster, and fully guaranteed if he remained with the team past January 10.
Hustle Award Winner
The 24-year-old captured the 2025-26 NBA Hustle Award after leading all qualified players in offensive box outs on a per-minute basis. He also finished fourth in screen assists, eighth in offensive loose balls recovered, 10th in contested two-point shots, and 11th in both defensive box outs and contested three-pointers.
Key Frontcourt Presence
Following offseason trades that sent Mark Williams and Jusuf Nurkic elsewhere, Diabate offered consistency in the middle for Charlotte. He averaged 7.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.0 blocks per game during the 2025-26 campaign.
The French big man is on track to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2026-27 season unless he and the Hornets agree on an extension. Speaking recently, Diabate said he plans to keep broadening his offensive skill set: “Being a threat offensively is going to make me even better, and it’s going to help my teammates… Whether it’s me pushing it on the break, on handoffs or driving to the basket, I want to really expand my game.”
Source: Hoops Rumors
