Tidjane Salaun's Second Season with Hornets: A Mixed Bag of Progress and Challenges

After a disappointing debut season as the sixth overall pick, Tidjane Salaun faced heightened expectations during the 2025-26 season with the Charlotte Hornets. However, various injuries and the team's unexpected success limited his opportunities on the court this year.

Throughout the season, Salaun managed to participate in 37 games, putting up averages of six points, four rebounds, 0.7 assists, and 0.4 steals. While some might interpret these numbers as a downturn from his rookie year, it’s important to note that it’s uncommon for a player in their second year to see a significant drop in minutes per game. Considering this, Salaun demonstrated marked improvement, particularly in his shooting efficiency.

His three-point shooting percentage soared from a disappointing 28.3% to an impressive 43.4%, while his overall field goal percentage climbed from 33% to 50.3%. These statistics indicate that his skills are developing, although the pace may not align with the Hornets' aspirations for a top-six seed in the Eastern Conference.

With trade value perceived to be low, keeping Salaun on the roster for another year could be beneficial, especially given that he remains on his rookie contract.

Overall, Salaun earns a grade of B for his performance this season.