Hornets’ Youth Movement: Tidjane Salaun’s Breakout and Liam McNeeley’s G League Reset
The Charlotte Hornets haven’t had much to celebrate this season, but one thing’s becoming clear: Tidjane Salaun is turning into a real player. After a rocky rookie year and a sluggish start to this season, the second-year forward has flipped the script-thanks in large part to a confidence-boosting stint with the G League’s Greensboro Swarm. Now, another young Hornet, rookie Liam McNeeley, is hoping to follow a similar path.
Salaun’s G League Spark Ignites NBA Impact
Let’s rewind. Salaun’s rookie season was rough-no way around it.
He struggled to find his rhythm and was statistically one of the least efficient rotation players in the league. Coming into this year, the early signs weren’t much better.
Through the Hornets’ first seven games, he was shooting just 36.8% from the field and 33.3% from deep. Despite showing flashes of defensive impact, Charlotte needed more from him-especially with a glaring hole at the power forward spot.
So, the Hornets made a move. They sent Salaun down to the Swarm, and it might’ve been the best decision they’ve made this season.
The G League gave Salaun exactly what he needed: minutes, reps, and the green light to work through his game. The results were immediate.
He strung together three 20-point games and notched a pair of double-doubles, showing off improved shot selection, sharper decision-making, and a more confident approach on both ends of the floor. The label of “bust” was starting to look premature.
When Charlotte brought him back up earlier this month, Salaun didn’t waste time proving he belonged. In his first three games post-recall, he averaged 14.7 points and 3.7 boards while shooting a scorching 63.6% from the field. He also knocked down 9 of his 14 attempts from beyond the arc-a far cry from his early-season struggles.
Sure, his numbers have dipped slightly since that hot stretch, but the overall efficiency is holding strong. Salaun is now shooting 51.5% from the field and an eye-catching 47.4% from three. Combine that with his energy on defense and ability to disrupt plays with his length and athleticism, and the Hornets suddenly have a young forward who looks like he’s figuring it out.
Liam McNeeley: The Next Breakout Candidate?
Now, all eyes are on Liam McNeeley.
The rookie wing came into the league with some quiet buzz as a potential sleeper pick from the 2025 draft. But through 14 games in a Hornets uniform, he hadn’t quite found his footing. While his numbers weren’t as discouraging as Salaun’s were last year, McNeeley still looked like he was trying to adjust to the NBA pace-especially when compared to fellow rookies like Kon Knueppel, Ryan Kalkbrenner, and Sion James, who have made smoother transitions.
So, Charlotte went back to the playbook: send him to Greensboro, let him get comfortable, and see what happens.
The early returns? Promising.
In four games with the Swarm, McNeeley averaged 19.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. That’s not just solid production-it’s the kind of all-around impact that shows he can be more than just a catch-and-shoot guy. He even delivered a highlight-reel moment that turned heads and hinted at his untapped upside.
Now, McNeeley’s back with the Hornets and available for tonight’s matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The hope is that his G League run gave him the same boost Salaun got-a chance to reset, rebuild confidence, and return to the NBA with a clearer sense of how to contribute.
Big Picture for Buzz City
For a team still deep in the rebuilding phase, Charlotte is banking on internal growth. They’ve got young talent, but development takes time-and sometimes, it takes a trip to the G League. What we’re seeing with Salaun, and potentially with McNeeley, is that the Hornets are starting to get real returns on their patience.
If McNeeley can take the next step the way Salaun has, the Hornets might just have two young pieces trending in the right direction. And in a season where wins are hard to come by, that kind of progress is worth paying attention to.