It's safe to say that Tidjane Salaun's rookie campaign didn't go the way he had hoped. His numbers (5.9 points and 4.7 rebounds in 20.7 minutes per game) weren't bad, for sure. However, Salaun hasn't proven yet why he deserved to be selected sixth overall in the 2024 draft, especially since he has a long way to go before becoming even an average NBA player on offense.
Still, the Hornets have argued that what the 19-year-old did this season wasn't that surprising, given his age and the fact that he has had to adjust coming from a French league. It appears the front office has grand plans for the youngster moving forward, and that would be perfectly fine had it not committed a perplexing mistake in last year's draft.
Choosing Salaun wasn't a blunder, but Charlotte could have probably brought him in later in the draft had it traded down. That way, it would have gotten the guy it had apparently zeroed in on while acquiring some more assets in the process. Funnily enough, Bleacher Report's redraft of the 2024 rookie class didn't even feature Salaun in the first round.
B/R redraft had the Hornets selecting a key part of the Chicago Bulls' future
Based on Dan Favale's redraft, Charlotte would have used the No. 6 pick on Matas Buzelis, the former five-star recruit who decided to play for the NBA G League Ignite program to prepare for his entry to the big league. Interestingly, he was still available when the Hornets were on the clock, ending up with the Chicago Bulls, who held the No. 11 selection.
Buzelis' production in the 2024-25 regular season wasn't much better than Salaun's, as he put up 8.6 points and 3.5 rebounds per contest on 45.4 percent shooting. However, the Bulls rookie's versatility as a scorer and playmaker while also being pretty decent on defense has had pundits excited for his future. Some folks around the league don't view Tidjane in the same way.
If you're wondering where Salaun wound up in the redraft, he missed the cut, as he was only considered for the 30th spot.
Will the Frenchman prove people wrong? That's what the Hornets organization and its fans are hoping for. He actually showed promise during his first year in the NBA despite looking mostly like a deer in the headlights. Still, there is plenty of room to grow for the inexperienced forward. Buzz City just has to make sure not to pick up another project player in the 2025 draft, regardless of where it lands after the lottery.