Tidjane Salaun's roster spot is in jeopardy as the NBA's final roster deadline approaches. According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Charlotte Hornets want to keep veteran Pat Connaughton , a preference that could put the former Number Six pick from the 2024 NBA Draft at risk.
Oct 14, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Tidjane Salaun (31) shoots the ball past Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (30) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
Fischer wrote that Salaün, "just 21," has "taken some real strides this summer," according to multiple people around the organization. However, he also described Salaün as realistically projecting to be "a rotation player at best at this stage," a sobering assessment of how far he remains from the star-level ceiling Charlotte may once have envisioned.
Connaughton, meanwhile, is described as a "Kon Knueppel favorite" who "brings undeniable locker room value" to the team. His minimum salary is fully non-guaranteed, making him a relatively straightforward player for Charlotte to retain.
If the Hornets decide Connaughton's experience and locker-room presence are more valuable to the current group, Salaün could become the casualty of their roster squeeze.
Fischer also named rookie Liam McNeeley as another player who could be vulnerable if Charlotte keeps Connaughton. With 16 players reportedly on standard contracts and approximately 14 spots appearing secure, the Hornets have difficult decisions to make at the back of the roster before the deadline.
McNeeley is a six-foot-seven wing selected with the 29th overall pick in the 2025 draft. He played just 31 games for Charlotte last season but did manage an impressive 40% three-point shooting on 5.9 attempts per 36 minutes.
Over the first three games of preseason, McNeeley averaged 10.7 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists on 2.3 turnovers per game. He kept up his impressive shooting with 42.1% from three, demonstrating at least one NBA-ready skill.
For Salaün, the question is whether his long-term potential justifies using a roster spot on a player who is still trying to establish himself in the NBA.
Salaün is averaging 5.9 points and 4.4 rebounds on 38.5 percent shooting across 97 career regular-season games. His preseason performances have offered a mixed picture.
He managed just six points on 2-of-7 shooting with three turnovers in Charlotte's opener against Brooklyn, but responded with 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting, including four three-pointers, against Boston. That latest performance was encouraging, although one strong outing does not erase the talks surrounding Salaün 's consistency and role.
Over the first three games of the 2026-27 preseason, he has averaged 9.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 2.3 turnovers, and a brutal -9.0 plus/minus. To be fair to Salaün, Charlotte only has two positive plus/minus players in Grayson Allen and Sion James . Unfortunately, Salaün is still tied for third-worst on the team.
Salaün has shown some promise outside the NBA. He helped lead the Greensboro Swarm to its first G League championship, evidence that his physical tools and development potential remain real even if his NBA production has yet to catch up.
Charlotte therefore faces a difficult choice. Moving on from a former lottery pick after limited NBA success could mean giving up on a player before his development has fully taken shape. Keeping him, however, requires patience and a willingness to accept that his progress may take longer than the team hoped.
Charlotte has maintained that there is still a path forward for Salaün, and the organisation has seen his physical progress firsthand this off-season. But public optimism and a roster crunch are two different things.
Connaughton offers experience and locker-room value, while Salaün represents a longer-term development bet. The Hornets must decide which matters more to the roster they are building now, with the final deadline approaching on October 19.
Should the Hornets keep developing Salaün, or is it time to move on from the Number Six pick? Drop your take in the comments.
Featured Image: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images
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