Tidjane Salaun NBA Draft Scouting Report: Pro Comparison, Updated Hornets Roster

The NBA's French invasion continued Wednesday night with the Charlotte Hornets selecting 18-year-old forward Tidjane Salaun with the No. 6 overall pick of the 2024 draft.

Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report

Player: Tidjane Salaun

Position: PF

Size: 6'9", 212 lbs

Pro Comparison: Obi Toppin

Scouting Report: Tidjane Salaun produced his way into the first-round discussion this year, hitting threes and finishing plays with rare regularity for an 18-year-old in France's top league. He has also terrific 6'9" size and athleticism for a shotmaker, though he remains raw and limited with his creation and decision-making.

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Hornets Active Roster and 2024-25 Salary (Expiration Year)

Tidjane Salaun, PF: Rookie-scale contract

LaMelo Ball, PG: $35.3M (2029)

Grant Williams, PF: $13M (2027)

Brandon Miller, SF: $11.4M (2027)

Cody Martin, SF: $8.1M (2026)

Vasilije Micić, PG: $7.7M (2026)

Nick Richards, C: $5M (2026)

Tre Mann, PG: $4.9M (2025)

Mark Williams, C: $4.1M (2026)

Seth Curry, SG: $4M (2025)

Nick Smith Jr., PG: $2.6M (2027)

Aleksej Pokuševski, PF: $2.3M (2025)

Bryce McGowens, SG: $2M (2026)

Leaky Black, SF: Two-way (2025)

Marques Bolden, C: Two-way (2025)

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Free Agents

Dāvis Bertāns, PF: Opt-out

Miles Bridges, SF: UFA

JT Thor, PF: Club option

Amari Bailey, PG: RFA

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Salaun suited up for Cholet Basket in France's top division in 2023-24. Across 36 games, he averaged 9.3 points and 4.2 rebounds. The 6'9" teenager flashed some range as well, shooting 32.5 percent from beyond the arc.

Salaun also represented France in the 2023 FIBA U18 European Championship last summer. Les Bleus went on to finish fourth, and he was their leading scorer (12.9 points).

Between his ability to space the floor and his ability to rattle the rim, the Frenchman is certainly built for the modern-day NBA. He's a solid gamble to take in the first round.