Rookie Goals🥇: Realistic Expectations For Tidjane Salaün🐝
Will Tidjane Salaün be ready to contribute for a Hornets team looking to set a new culture and winning identity this season?
Who is Tidjane Salaün?❓
🏀Tidjane Salaün is a 6”9-6”10 210 pound Forward from Paris, France who late in the draft cycle started to gain traction as a lottery pick after some impressive performances late into the season for Cholet Basket (an EuroLeague basketball team) last season. Salaün is one of the youngest players in this past draft coming in at 18-years-old and recently turning 19-years-old over the offseason. Salaün as a prospect is extremely raw it is uncertain if he will find minutes for most of the season on a Charlotte Hornets roster that has a clear rotation at the small forward and power forward positions.
Why Charlotte Selected Salaün❗❗
✅The Hornets made the surprising pick at 6th overall by selecting Tidjane Salaün over other more highly ranked prospects like Matas Buzelis, Cody Williams, and Donovan Clingan. Many may say Salaün was a reach but as rumored by bleacher report and others the Spurs who had the 8th pick in the NBA draft were rumored to be looking to add Salaün alongside French phenom Victor Wembanyama the idea was to trade with the Grizzlies who were at the 9th overall selection but the fear was that Salaün would be off the board so the Hornets decided to take their guy without trading back. The reason for the Charlotte Hornets drafting Salaün is his unique athletic ability that just jumps off the screen especially in transition opportunities already being a very good transition finisher which is a great fit for the transition offense the Hornets are going to play with having high flyers like Miles Bridges, Brandon Miller and a great playmaker in transition with LaMelo Ball. Salaün in the prefect world is a long athletic power forward (once he adds muscle) who can be a catch and shoot forward, Salaün is already a great cutter for lobs on the perimeter or in the dunker spot. Salaün also has defensive versatility allowing Salaün to play theoretically three positions while also utilizing his 7-foot-2 wingspan well. Again, Tidjane is extremely raw all things considered so this perfect world may never come to fruition but if it does Tidjane Salaün could be a double double machine and one of the best all-around players for the Hornets for years to come.
Will Salaün Get Run Early📢
🔥Salaün is the clear cut third string small forward and power forward for the Charlotte Hornets next season behind Cody Martin and Grant Williams. There is a possibility that Salaün Will fill a end of the bench spot minute role 8-12 minutes per game early on. A similar role to what JT Thor played last season while also getting playing time down with the G-League affiliate Greensboro Swarm. Salaün will still have an opportunity during training camp to carve up a immediate role with the Hornets especially with Cody Martin who does have his injury history. Which would be Tidjane's best chance for a rotation spot.
↗2024-25 Rookie Expectations
📈Salaün is the most raw prospect drafted in the lottery in this years draft. With clear flaws in his game the focus should be his long term development rather than an immediate impact for the Hornets this season. At some point Salaün will be worked into the rotation. The trade deadline makes the most sense there are definitely some moves the Hornets could make to give Salaün a role in Coach Charles Lee's rotation moving guys like Vasilije Micić who has been rumored in trade discussions, and small forward Cody Martin. Expect Salaün to play 12-18 Minutes per game this season average around 6.2 points, 4.3 rebounds 2.1 assists per game with slightly under a block per game. It will be exciting to see what Salaün will be able to do and improve over the course of the NBA season.
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