The Charlotte Hornets have a roster crunch coming, and Tidjane Salaun keeps popping up as the name that could be squeezed out.
That might sound harsh for a 21-year-old forward who has shown real progress in preseason, but the math is the math. Charlotte has to get under the 15-man limit, and with only three days left before the deadline, Salaun looks like the most vulnerable piece on the board. His $8.2 million cap hit gives the Hornets something real to work with, too, which is why the idea of turning him into an asset has gained traction.
NBA insider Jake Fischer recently noted that Salaun has been making strides this summer, but also pointed out the reality of where his game sits right now. As Fischer wrote:
“The 6-10 forward is just 21, and I’ve heard from more than a few folks that the first draft pick of the Jeff Peterson era in Charlotte has taken some real strides this summer. Yet it’s also true that Salaun realistically projects to be a rotation player at best at this stage after the Hornets once believed he had a star-level ceiling. And Connaughton is known to be a Kon Knueppel favorite who brings undeniable locker room value to Charlotte’s team.”
That Pat Connaughton note matters because it complicates Charlotte’s cleanest path. Even though moving a veteran would seem more logical on paper, Connaughton’s connection with Kon Knueppel could help keep him in place and push Salaun closer to the exit.
Salaun’s preseason has at least created a little buzz around his value. In three appearances, he has averaged 9.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists.
He also flashed during a recent game against the Boston Celtics, scoring 16 points on 5-9 shooting. Those numbers don’t erase his larger body of work - his career averages sit at 5.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game - but they do hint at why teams might be willing to take a swing.
One possible landing spot is Portland, where the Hornets would receive Scoot Henderson in the proposed deal. Charlotte could absorb Henderson’s $13.5 million salary and move on from another player to stay compliant. The fit is driven by need: the Hornets have depth, but the point guard spot lacks a dependable scoring option outside of Coby White and Dennis Schroder.
The problem, from Portland’s side, is obvious. A deal like that would ask the Blazers to give up Henderson for Salaun, with or without draft compensation.
That is a steep ask for a player who is still raw, though Portland’s current roster picture does open a door. Jerami Grant’s departure leaves them thin at power forward, and Salaun’s blend of size and upside gives the Blazers something developmental to consider.
A trade with Detroit feels more grounded. In that version, Charlotte would take back Kevin Huerter and his $9.5 million contract. Detroit, meanwhile, would get a young forward who fits alongside Cade Cunningham because of his off-ball movement, transition speed and offensive upside.
Salaun wouldn’t solve everything for the Pistons. He wouldn’t replace Isaiah Stewart’s physicality or rim protection.
But he could help stabilize the second unit once John Collins and Jalen Duren head to the bench, and his age fits Detroit’s timeline. At 21, he lines up with where the Pistons are trying to go, even if he doesn’t perfectly match their identity.
The final scenario sends Salaun to the Clippers, with Charlotte getting Yanic Konan Niederhauser and a 2030 second-round pick. On paper, that deal gives the Hornets another piece to make roster decisions a little easier. It also gives Los Angeles a chance to bet on Salaun’s development inside a young group that could grow together.
The catch is cost. The Clippers would be taking on $4.4 million more in salary, and there’s no guarantee they would want to part with draft capital to do it.
Charlotte would have to ask for enough in return to make the move worthwhile, and that’s where the deal gets tricky. Still, Salaun’s future value - especially if the $10.4 million team option is not exercised and he becomes an expiring contract - could make him attractive for a team looking ahead.
For now, Charlotte’s decision comes down to whether it wants to keep betting on Salaun’s upside or turn him into something more useful before the deadline closes in.
In Other News...
What NBA GMs Really Expect From The Blazers This Season
NBA.coms annual general manager survey offered an early snapshot of how the league views Portland this season, and the picture is a mixed one. The Trail Blazers were pegged to finish seventh in the Western Conference, while also landing in the group of teams considered most unpredictable in terms of success, a label that fits a roster still trying to define its ceiling.
The survey also put a few Portland-connected names in the conversation across individual categories. Damian Lillard drew votes for leadership and clutch shooting, Toumani Camara was recognized for defensive versatility, and Jrue Holiday was mentioned as a possible future coach. Even as the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder were tabbed as the favorites to win the NBA Finals, Portlands showing suggests the league sees enough talent and intrigue here to keep watching closely. [Read more 🡒]
Jrue Holiday Is Already Solving A Blazers Problem Fans Feared
The Trail Blazers preseason has offered an early look at how they plan to navigate one of the rosters biggest concerns, and Jrue Holiday has been central to that answer. Portlands backcourt is crowded enough to create lineup questions, but Holidays ability to fit in multiple roles has helped the team manage those minutes without turning it into a problem. For a roster still sorting itself out, that kind of flexibility has real value.
It matters even more because the concerns do not stop at guard. Portland is thinner on the wing and at forward after offseason departures and injuries, including Shaedon Sharpes knee surgery, which has made depth a more pressing issue across the lineup. General manager Joe Cronin has pointed to Holidays versatility as part of the solution, and for now the Blazers appear to be leaning on that kind of adaptability as they try to stabilize a roster with a few moving parts. [Read more 🡒]
Scoot Henderson Is Forcing A Blazers Decision Faster Than Expected
Scoot Henderson has spent the early part of the preseason making the Trail Blazers think a little sooner than they probably wanted to. His work in games and practices has stood out for a sharper skill set and a clearer sense of confidence, enough to put him firmly in the mix as Portland sorts out its backcourt plans.
The timing matters because Henderson is headed toward restricted free agency after this season unless the Blazers lock in a rookie contract extension before October 19. With Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday in the guard room, Portland is already balancing present-day rotation decisions with a longer-term call on Henderson, and his strong start is making that choice harder to push down the road. [Read more 🡒]