Tidjane Salaün shines after G-League experience, silencing critics with remarkable Hornets resurgence
After a rocky start to his NBA career, Tidjane Salaün has become a hot topic among Charlotte Hornets fans, and for all the right reasons. Selected sixth overall from France, Salaün entered his rookie season with high expectations. However, the early stages of his career revealed that patience would be paramount for both the franchise and its supporters.
Rookie Year Struggles
From day one, it was evident that Salaün’s journey would be a developmental one. With injuries ravaging the Hornets’ roster last season, he found himself on the court more than the organization might have preferred. Over 60 games, he averaged 20.7 minutes, contributing 5.9 points per game while shooting just 33% from the field and a disappointing 28.3% from beyond the arc.
Fans quickly grew frustrated, especially as promising rookie performances from players like Donovan Clingan of the Portland Trail Blazers and Matas Buzelis of the Chicago Bulls stirred doubts about the Hornets’ decision to invest in a player still viewed as a project.
A Turnaround in Greensboro
Fast forward a few months, and Salaün’s trajectory has taken an encouraging turn. Early in the current season, he was benched in favor of veteran Pat Connaughton, leading to his assignment to the Greensboro Swarm in the G-League. This move proved pivotal. In ten games with the Swarm, he averaged 16.6 points and 7.8 rebounds, showcasing a more refined shooting touch by hitting 48.2% of his shots from the field and 37% from three-point range. Crucially, his confidence began to blossom.
When he returned to the NBA, Salaün made an immediate impact. In a game against the Brooklyn Nets, he scored 10 points in just 18 minutes. He followed that up with a 13-point effort, including three successful three-pointers out of five attempts.
Career-Best Performance
The apex of his resurgence came in a matchup against the Toronto Raptors, where Salaün delivered the best performance of his young career. He exploded for 21 points, secured three rebounds, dished out an assist, and contributed defensively with a steal and a block. His shooting was impressive, making six of eight attempts from the field and five of six from beyond the arc.
Despite a slight dip in performance over the next few games, Salaün bounced back in a recent victory over the Atlanta Hawks. While much of the focus was on the standout contributions of LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, and Brandon Miller, Salaün quietly scored 10 points, hitting four of six shots and two of four from three-point territory.
Emerging Efficiency and Simplified Role
After struggling with shooting efficiency in his rookie year, Salaün has made remarkable strides. Currently, he boasts shooting percentages of 53.4% from the field and 48.6% from three. In the seven games since his G-League stint, he has averaged 10 points while shooting an impressive 61.5% from the field and 56.5% from deep.
While these numbers are certainly promising, they are bound to normalize as the season progresses. What stands out, however, is the evolution of how Salaün is getting those points. Last season, he often resorted to contested shots, struggled with ball control, and had difficulty finding his spots on the court.
Post-G-League, he has embraced a more streamlined role. His scoring has come from fundamental plays: cutting to the basket, spot-up three-pointers, earning trips to the free-throw line, and taking advantage of transition opportunities.
A Bright Future in Charlotte
This is the Tidjane Salaün that the Hornets envisioned when they drafted him—a player infused with confidence and comfort within the offensive system established by Charles Lee. Moving forward, the Hornets are not asking him to become a star overnight; rather, they seek his ability to fit into a defined role. The growth he has shown following his G-League experience has laid a strong foundation for his future contributions to the team.
As Salaün continues to develop, the Hornets are hopeful that they’ve begun to witness the emergence of a valuable player who can help drive their rebuilding efforts.
