When the Charlotte Hornets drafted Tidjane Salaun, the French forward was viewed as a long-term project, flashing potential with his size, athleticism, and defensive upside. There were definitely questions about whether he could develop into a starter in the NBA. Fast forward to his sophomore season, and you see the pieces starting to fit together into a vital role player for the Hornets.
After being called up from his latest G League assignment on November 30th, Salaun has looked like a completely different player. What once looked like a questionable gamble in 2024 has turned into a joyful success story for fans, as he's clearly the most improved player on this team.
Shooting lights out from everywhere
The most striking development has been Salaun's improved shot-making ability. It has drastically improved since last year. In the 2024-2025 NBA season, Salaun averaged 5.9 points per contest on 33/28/71 shooting splits across 60 games. So far in the 2025-26 NBA season, those numbers have jumped to 6.6 points per game on 53/49/68 shooting splits in 14 appearances.
What truly stands out are the efficiency numbers. Salaun isn't just taking smarter shots, but he's shooting the ball with a newfound confidence that we haven't seen before. It really shows how important the NBA G League is for young players, as real game reps are an important factor in player development.
Two-way impact
His shooting numbers may see some regression to the mean (because they are incredibly good), but his defense won't. Per Cleaning the Glass, Salaun's minus-8.6 on/off differential on defense in 197 non-garbage time minutes ranks 91st percentile in the league. While he has been on the court this season, the Hornets are allowing 8.6 fewer points per 100 possessions.
Even though that's a limited sample size of minutes, the signs are undeniably encouraging. Salaun's impact on defense is evident not only through the eye test, but also in the numbers. His 7-foot plus wingspan is a natural asset, but it's the combination with his high motor that truly elevates his defensive versatility.
Salaun is starting to understand his role in his second season in the league, carving out a real one on both ends of the floor. This is exactly why you can't label him a bust, as some people have done, considering it can take years for most prospects to develop. Through patience and opportunity, Salaun has grown into a true 3-and-D threat for the Hornets.
While that may be his role within the current roster construction, I also understand that the upside is clearly not limited. The Hornets' top priority this season should be player development, and in that regard, Salaun already represents a checkmark as the most improved player thus far.