Hornets skip contract option for Tidjane Salaün

The Charlotte Hornets have decided not to activate the fourth-year option on Tidjane Salaün’s rookie contract, which would have guaranteed him 10.4 million dollars for the 2027-2028 season. The decision, reported by journalist Keith Smith, marks a significant moment for the French forward, who was selected sixth in the 2024 NBA Draft.

No official confirmation yet

While the Hornets have officially exercised contract options for players Kon Knueppel and Liam McNeeley, they did not mention Tidjane Salaün. This omission, along with Keith Smith’s report, suggests the team has chosen not to extend his contract for another season.

Deadline for decisions is near

The deadline for teams to make these decisions was Monday, November 2, as October 31 fell on a Saturday this year. This leaves little time for further changes to the Hornets’ decision regarding Salaün’s future.

Salaün’s NBA career so far

Salaün is entering his third season in the NBA and has played 103 games since joining the Hornets. He has started only 10 games, all in his rookie season, and averages 5.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game in 18.4 minutes of playing time.

Improvement in shooting efficiency

Despite limited playing time, Salaün showed improvement in his offensive efficiency last season. He shot 50.3% from the field and 43.4% from three-point range in 37 games, compared to lower percentages in his first year. However, he saw limited action in regular season games, focusing on helping the G-League team win the title.

Current season performance

In the 2026-2027 season, Salaün has averaged 5.3 points per game on 54.2% shooting, including 40% from three-point range, in six games. His playing time has slightly decreased, and he is taking only 2.5 three-point shots per game.

Charlotte’s draft choice

Salaün was the Hornets’ first major draft pick under Jeff Peterson, who became the team’s basketball operations head in 2024. The decision not to guarantee his contract contrasts with the expectations that came with this selection.

Similar situation with Pacôme Dadiet

The Hornets are not alone in this decision. The New York Knicks have also decided not to guarantee the 5.37 million dollars in Pacôme Dadiet’s contract for the 2027-2028 season, following similar patterns of limited playing time.

Financial implications for Hornets

By not activating Salaün’s option, the Hornets save a guaranteed 10.4 million dollars for the 2027-2028 season. However, this does not necessarily mean Salaün will leave, as the team could still offer him a new contract in 2027, though it would be limited by NBA rules.

Future options for Salaün

Salaün’s contract expires in June 2027, which could allow him to explore a transfer before the deadline. Other teams might be interested in his potential without long-term financial commitment. At 21, he still has time to prove his worth in the league.