When the Charlotte Hornets drafted Tidjane Salaun, the French forward was viewed as a long-term project, flashing potential with his size, athleticism, and defensive upside. There were definitely questions about whether he could develop into a starter in the NBA. Fast forward to his sophomore season, and you see the pieces starting to fit together into a vital role player for the Hornets.
After being called up from his latest G League assignment on November 30th, Salaun has looked like a completely different player. What once looked like a questionable gamble in 2024 has turned into a joyful success story for fans, as he's clearly the most improved player on this team.