Hornets' Tidjane Salaun Receives Strong Take Following Summer League

Charlotte Hornets forward Tidjane Salaun is entering his third season in the league after he was selected sixth overall in the 2024 NBA Draft.

Salaun was drafted as a project player for the Hornets, but has yet to develop into the piece Charlotte expected him to be.

In his rookie campaign in the 2024-25 season, Salaun struggled, averaging 5.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game, shooting an inefficient 33 percent from the field and 28.3 percent from three.

The 20-year-old improved in the 2025-26 season, averaging six points and four rebounds per game, improving his efficiency drastically as he shot 50.3 percent from the floor and 43.4 percent from behind the arc across 37 games.

While he improved, he hasn't developed into a consistent rotational player for Charlotte and will have to earn minutes in the rotation next season.

Despite entering his third year in the league, Salaun appeared in Summer League for the Hornets. In the three games he appeared in, he averaged nine points and seven rebounds per game, shooting 42 percent from the field and 10 percent from deep. To earn his role, Salaun will need to improve his game all-around. 

"Executing his role defensively," Hornets Summer League coach Blaine Mueller said. "I think he's made great strides with his one-on-one defense. Continuing to look for him to improve in terms of his coverage execution and understanding what we're in and whether he's on the ball or on the screener. And then offensively, keep it simple. Closeout reads, after actions, being quicker into those when he doesn't have shot, drive, or pass against closeouts."

Salaun could be a quality power forward off the bench for Charlotte behind new acquisition Naz Reid. 

Reid was the centerpiece of the trade return for star guard LaMelo Ball and will be a starter for the Hornets. The 26-year-old forward averaged 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, a steal, and a block per game, shooting 45.6 percent from the floor and 36.2 percent from distance.

Salaun may not be a starter or the player Charlotte expected when they selected him, but he could be a quality role player off the bench if he continues to improve his offensive game.

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