Tidjane Salaun is heading to the NBA. The Charlotte Hornets selected him with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Salaun spent this past season with Cholet Basket in France, which he joined in 2022. He averaged 9.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and a steal over 23.2 minutes per game this past season. In addition, Salaun shot 32% from the field this past season, which was down from his 36% rate in 2022-23. However, he had 44 assists while committing 64 turnovers, and his 7-foot-2 wingspan could help with his transition to the NBA game.
Salaun was also in attendance for the NBA’s All-Star Weekend in 2023, where he participated in the Basketball Without Borders camp. He also put on a show in the 2023 Trophy of the Future tournament when he averaged 17.7 points and 7.2 rebounds.
In 2024, Salaun was also named the FIBA Champions League Best Young Player. He’ll now look to take his talents to the NBA as a high-upside talent who came in as a projected lottery pick ahead of the draft.
What NBA Draft experts are saying about Tidjane Salaun
When it comes to evaluating Salaun’s game, his 23.2 minutes per game makes him an interesting study. However, On3’s James Fletcher III said his athleticism will help him stand out to NBA teams, and his ceiling would be enticing for player development staffs.
“Tidjane Salaun is among the most difficult prospects to pin down based on his low usage this season,” Fletcher wrote. “The potential to get an athletic, long forward with shooting touch will draw in many. Questions remain how large of a role the 6-foot-9 forward can take on offensively, and what he will look likely matched up with NBA-caliber offensive players in space.
“At the end of the day, someone will bet on upside. Salaun’s stock is on the rise after a strong finish to the season and continued discussion about his long-term fit as an NBA player.”
To Rotowire, the biggest problem Salaun has is his three-point shot. Nonetheless, he could be an athletic 3 or 4 in a lineup.
“Salaun’s athleticism, length and motor will certainly intrigue scouts,” Rotowire wrote. “His draft stock will likely be determined by how much NBA teams believe in his potential to become a knockdown 3-point shooter and/or excellent defender. He should be able to impact the game in transition immediately.
“Based on those swing skills, Salaun could represent more athletic versions of players like Otto Porter Jr., Al-Farouq Aminu or Jonas Jerebko. And if some more playmaking ability comes along, his ceiling is higher than those players.”
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