As a rookie with the Hornets, Salaun averaged 5.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 20.7 minutes per game across 60 regular-season appearances, hitting 33.0 percent from the field, 28.3 percent from beyond the arc and 71.3 percent from the free-throw line. His counting stats are modest now, but his physical tools, length and energy give him intriguing upside if his development is a priority for the franchise. At this stage, he functions best as a speculative hold in dynasty formats or a watch-list candidate in deeper redraft formats. Still raw and streaky as a shooter, Salaun remains volatile and currently lacks the polished offensive game to be a reliable fantasy contributor. And on the defensive end, he's yet to see his athleticism translate to consistent production in steals and blocks. The Hornets are much healthier in 2025-26 and added some solid depth via the draft and free agency, complicating Salaun's path to minutes. Heading into training camp, Salaun is projected to compete for backup power forward minutes behind Miles Bridges with Liam McNeeley and Grant Williams (knee). Read Past Outlooks
$Signed a two-year, $15.35 million contract with the Hornets in July of 2024. Hornets exercised $8.24 million team option for 2026-27 in October of 2025. Contract includes $10.45 million team option for 2027-28.
Personal Bio/PreCareer Summary
In 2021, Salaun joined Cholet Basket, part of the LNB Espoirs (French U21 league). During 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend, he showed off his skill at the Basketball Without Borders camp. Notably, he was named MVP of the 2023 Trophy of the Future tournament, averaging 17.7 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. He officially joined Cholet's senior team in summer 2023. Salaun also played in the 2023 FIBA U18 European Championship for the France national team. In 2023-24, across 49 appearances for Cholet, he averaged 9.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 23.2 minutes. The 6-foot-9 forward has intrigued scouts with his combination of fluidity and shooting touch. He's smooth in transition and cutting to the basket, while he can also knock down looks from deep. He went a modest 68-for-211 (32%) in 2023-24 but 61-for-168 (36%) in 2022-23 and 27-for-77 (35%) in 2021-22. Salaun is mostly a finisher as he totaled 44 assists to 64 turnovers last year. On defense, he isn't a showstopper but he has a 7-foot-2 wingspan and competes with good athleticism. Hustle and desire helps him on both ends of the floor. Salaun's athleticism, length and motor will certainly intrigue scouts. 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.
Probable for Wednesday
FCharlotte Hornets
Achilles
January 20, 2026
Salaun is listed as probable for Wednesday's game against the Cavaliers due to left Achilles tendinopathy.
ANALYSIS The Achilles issue is a new concern for Salaun, though he's still likely to suit up in the front end of this back-to-back set. The second-year forward has appeared in eight outings this month, during which he has averaged 5.0 points and 4.8 rebounds in 15.1 minutes per contest.
2024 NBA Per Game Split Stats - Starting/Off Bench
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2024 NBA Per Game Split Stats - Days Rest
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2024 NBA Per Game Split Stats - Vs Opp
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2024 NBA Per Game Split Stats - By Result
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Advanced Stats
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2025
2024
Stat Review
How does Tidjane Salaun compare to other players?
This section compares his stats with all players from the previous three seasons (minimum 200 minutes played)*. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that stat and it would be considered average.
True Shooting %
An advanced statistic that measures a player's efficiency at shooting the ball that takes field goal percentage, free throw percentage, and three point percentage into account.
Effective Field Goal %
A statistic that adjusts field goal percentage to account for the fact that three-point field goals count for three points while field goals only count for two points.
3-Point Attempt Rate
Percentage of field goal attempts from three point range.
Free Throw Rate
Number of free throw attempts per field goal attempt.
Offensive Rebound %
An estimate of the percentage of available offensive rebounds a player grabbed while they were on the floor.
Defensive Rebound %
An estimate of the percentage of available defensive rebounds a player grabbed while they were on the floor.
Total Rebound %
An estimate of the percentage of available rebounds a player grabbed while they were on the floor.
Assist %
An estimate of the percentage of teammate field goals a player assisted while they were on the floor.
Steal %
An estimate of the percentage of opponent possessions that end with a steal by the player while they were on the floor.
Block %
An estimate of the percentage of opponent two-point field goal attempts blocked by the player while they were on the floor.
Turnover %
An estimate of turnovers committed per 100 plays.
Usage %
An estimate of the percentage of team plays used by a player while they were on the floor.
Fantasy Points Per Game
NBA Fantasy Points Per Game.
Fantasy Points Per Minute
NBA Fantasy Points Per Minute.
True Shooting %
62.8%
Effective Field Goal %
61.0%
3-Point Attempt Rate
51.2%
Free Throw Rate
23.6%
Offensive Rebound %
5.3%
Defensive Rebound %
24.2%
Total Rebound %
15.0%
Assist %
8.0%
Steal %
1.0%
Block %
1.4%
Turnover %
11.2%
Usage %
14.8%
Fantasy Points Per Game
14.0
Fantasy Points Per Minute
0.9
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Total
Per Game
Per 36
NBA Historical Fantasy Stats
How are these ratings calculated?
Our historical fantasy ratings are standard scores calculated using 8-Category settings with 12 teams and 13 players per team.
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NBA Per Game Historical Fantasy Stats
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NBA Per 36 Historical Fantasy Stats
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Historical ADP
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Hornets Depth Chart
Our full team depth charts are reserved for RotoWire subscribers.
Average Fantasy Points are determined when Tidjane Salaun was active vs. non-active during the season. Click here to view average fantasy points for a different time period.
Minutes
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo
FantasyDraft
Head2Head
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More Fantasy News
Posts double-double in win
FCharlotte Hornets
January 19, 2026
Salaun finished with 13 points (6-8 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 0-1 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists and one block in 22 minutes during Sunday's 110-87 victory over Denver.
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Falls out of rotation
FCharlotte Hornets
January 13, 2026
Salaun (coach's decision) didn't appear off the bench Monday in the Hornets' 117-109 loss to the Clippers.
ANALYSIS Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Good to go Saturday
FCharlotte Hornets
January 10, 2026
Salaun is available to play in Saturday's game against the Jazz.
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Likely to play Saturday
FCharlotte Hornets
Ankle
January 9, 2026
Salaun is probable for Saturday's game against the Jazz due to a left ankle sprain.
ANALYSIS Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
ANALYSIS "I love what Tidjane has done so far in this preseason," Lee said. "He's attacked the body side of his player development program. His body looks different. He's moving even more confidently because he is more stronger." Lee also mentioned that Salaun has improved his defensive ability and playmaking skills. With Grant Williams sidelined by a knee injury to start the campaign, Salaun may have a good chance of securing the backup power forward minutes behind Miles Bridges.