When the Charlotte Hornets selected Tidjane Salaun in the 2024 NBA Draft, it was with the understanding that this wasn’t a ready-made star-they were betting on long-term potential. At 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-plus wingspan, Salaun brought the kind of physical tools that make scouts sit up in their chairs.
But he was raw. A project.
The kind of player who might take a few years before figuring it out at the NBA level.
Well, fast forward to his sophomore season, and the picture is starting to come into focus. Salaun has gone from a developmental question mark to a legitimate rotation piece. And for a Hornets team looking to build something sustainable, his growth has been one of the most encouraging storylines of the season.
A Sharpshooter Emerges
Let’s start with the offense-because that’s where the leap has been impossible to ignore. In his rookie campaign, Salaun struggled to find rhythm or consistency.
He averaged just under six points per game on shaky shooting splits: 33% from the field, 28% from three, and 71% at the line. It was a learning year, plain and simple.
But this season? He’s flipped the script.
Through 14 games, he’s bumped his scoring to 6.6 points per game, but the real story is in the efficiency. He’s shooting a scorching 53% from the field and 49% from beyond the arc.
That’s not just improvement-that’s a transformation.
Now, it’s fair to expect some regression. Shooting nearly 50% from deep isn’t easy to sustain over a full season, especially for a second-year player still finding his way.
But the confidence is real. He’s not hesitating.
He’s stepping into shots, making quick decisions, and looking like someone who belongs on an NBA floor. That kind of growth doesn’t happen by accident-it’s the product of reps, development, and trust.
And that’s where the G League comes in. Since being recalled from his latest assignment on November 30, Salaun has looked like a different player.
The time in Greensboro clearly paid off. He’s sharper, more decisive, and playing with a level of poise that wasn’t there last year.
It’s a reminder of how valuable the G League can be for young guys who need minutes to grow.
Lockdown Potential on Defense
While the offense is grabbing headlines, Salaun’s defense is quietly becoming his calling card. He’s always had the tools-length, lateral quickness, and a relentless motor-but now he’s learning how to use them within the team’s defensive structure.
The numbers back it up. According to Cleaning the Glass, the Hornets are allowing 8.6 fewer points per 100 possessions when Salaun is on the court.
That ranks in the 91st percentile league-wide in defensive on/off differential. Yes, it’s a small sample (just under 200 non-garbage time minutes), but the trend is promising.
What’s more, it passes the eye test. Salaun is covering ground, switching onto multiple positions, and making life difficult for opposing wings. He’s not just surviving-he’s impacting games.
This is where his upside really starts to take shape. Because if he can continue to knock down shots while defending at a high level, you’re looking at a prototypical 3-and-D forward. And in today’s NBA, that’s gold.
A Role Player Today, More Tomorrow?
The Hornets are in a developmental phase, and that means giving young players room to grow. Salaun is making the most of that opportunity.
He’s not just filling minutes-he’s earning them. He’s starting to understand his role, and more importantly, he’s thriving in it.
Calling him the team’s most improved player isn’t just a feel-good headline-it’s reality. A year ago, there were real questions about whether he’d stick in the league. Now, he’s a key part of Charlotte’s rotation, bringing energy, floor spacing, and defensive versatility every time he steps on the court.
And while his current role is that of a supporting piece, it’s clear there’s more room to grow. The tools are there.
The work ethic is showing. And the trajectory is pointing up.
For a Hornets team trying to build from the ground up, that’s exactly the kind of progress you want to see. Tidjane Salaun may have started as a project, but he’s quickly becoming a player worth building with.