The Charlotte Hornets’ developmental swing on Tidjane Salaun in the 2024 NBA Draft is still very much a long‑term investment, but his recent setback is a reminder of how far he remains from meeting those expectations. With Salaun set to miss Thursday’s matchup against the New York Knicks due to a strained left calf, it marks his 11th straight absence—an unfortunate stretch that’s putting a noticeable dent in his growth and complicating Charlotte’s long‑term planning.
And while he isn’t in the same uncertain territory as Tre Mann, the reality is unavoidable. The Hornets are making a strong playoff push, and the rotation is tightening. Charles Lee spent the early part of the season experimenting out of necessity, navigating through injuries and searching for the best lineups. But now, with the stakes rising, even a healthy Salaun would struggle to carve out meaningful minutes. His flashes this season have been promising, but it's hard to say that's enough.
The good, the bad, and the ugly
Salaun was drafted sixth overall by the Hornets, and with lottery status comes real expectations. To his credit, he’s already shown tremendous growth. His shooting efficiency skyrocketed in his sophomore season, jumping from 33 percent from the field to 51 percent, and his three‑point percentage leaped from 28 percent to an impressive 43 percent. Those aren’t small improvements. These jumps from one year to another signal real developmental traction.
Defensively, he’s flashed just as much promise. His length, mobility, and willingness to switch across multiple positions pop when you watch him on the court, and his physical tools give him a clear pathway to becoming a high‑end role player at minimum, with legitimate upside if everything clicks.
But as encouraging as the strides have been, there’s still plenty of room to grow. The biggest ingredient he’s missing is simple: reps. Salaun is only 20 years old, and nothing accelerates development like being on the floor. There were stretches this season where he lost track of assignments or reacted a bit late, which is typical for a young player. These are the types of mistakes that clean up with experience and repetition. As his decision‑making sharpens and his offensive toolkit expands, his ceiling becomes far more intriguing.
Availability, though, is just as important as potential. Dominating the G League is a positive sign, but it can only take him so far. The Hornets need him logging real NBA minutes to refine the valuable 3‑and‑D foundation he already possesses. This type of role player is highly sought after, especially when that foundation comes in a 6’10”, high‑motor, long‑armed athletic frame built for the modern game.
If he can stay healthy and continues on this trajectory, Salaun projects to carve out a strong NBA career. And if the shooting holds and the defense keeps trending upward, he could eventually grow into the long‑term answer at the four, potentially even replacing Miles Bridges down the line. But if things start to slow down with no reps being played in real games, the Hornets may have to look at other options at the forward position.