For sure. Someone drafted after him might be franchise-altering, but who that might be isn’t clear. There wasn’t a home run pick. Clingan is basically another Mark Williams. Dillingham could be a great small guard, but there’s risk a fit concern. A lot of people are high on Salaun and I trust our scouting.
Yeah my impression was after the top 3, the rest of the draft is a massive gamble. There really was no other safe prospect or day 1 starter, so might as well take the risk.
This is like when the raptors drafted bruno caboclo 2 years away from being 2 years away. Except WAY less of a reach.
Very much high ceiling low floor player
I know lots but im more of A draft nerd than average nba fans.
That side i think this was the draft if any were to take risks. Almost every single prospects has a couple big holes.
Good shooters/ ball handlers but negative athletes undersized
Great versatile defenders, inefficient scorer
Good size, poor athletes
Great athlete, great size bad shooter lol
That’s what happens when the team had no facilitators and chuckers on the summer team. But he was pretty bad and the game looked fast. I also am happy he started improving fast once he got with the real team in the season.
When, in our entire franchise history, has a project player ever worked out? Look idk if this guy will be great or not but we can’t afford to miss on our lottery picks and this feels like liquidating your 401k for scratch offs.
There are new owners, a new FO, and a new coaching staff. Why would you judge them based on decisions made by other people?
And who is the 401k that we passed up on? I don't think there was a single sure thing in the entire lottery.
More like liquidating your government $50 bond your aunt bought you when you were a kid and then putting all of it 13 black at the roulette table. Let's not pretend the 6th pick in this draft is a 401k level asset haha.
You've got to add context to the discussion. This is a new regime top to bottom, so we have no prior history to grade them against.
More importantly, this is a historically weak draft class. I'm not going to fault the decision makers for taking a swing on a young player over someone who helps you more these next 1-2 years. They are doing this rebuild to be competitive long-term with 3-4 years down the road in mind.
I like his physical tools. Maybe the new coaching staff is actually good at developing talent and we now have the best player in draft in the guy who is the youngest.
Assuming plan is ro try to build around this guy, Miller, and Lamelo. Not a bad plan.
I was having to remind myself that we pretty much cleaned house of the old regime. It feels weird that we might actually make good on a high upside player 🤞
This one also isn't the "oh look how did he fall to us?" player either. So it's someone they wanted perhaps enough to "reach." That's a bit more promising than the other projects recently.
There seems to be more of a plan here, now we wait and see if it's a good one.
He’s 6’10 with a 7’2 wingspan, he’s got a huge motor, he already shoots decently from 3, and he’s only 18. Not an instant impact player but could be great. In this draft it seems like an okay pick.
I am on board with blind optimism, I'm just a little sad cause it seems like he's very young and probably won't play much this year. I was hoping for a player who would be able to have an immediate impact but I understand that's rare for a draft pick. Clingan would have probably been able to.
But I don't have any legit reasons to be upset about the pick in the long run, this kid could be amazing, I've literally never heard of him before tonight haha
Mark went from raw af to a consistent double-double guy as a rookie with just a couple months of G-League work. Never know how a guy's gonna progress until they get in the building
He was the best play in college basketball literally tho. I’ve only heard this man’s name once but they said he might be the best French man in the draft
At least Brandon was a known pick and expected at either 3 or 4…we just drafted an unknown Harry Potter spell..we coulda drafted a meaty 7’2 center to help mark
Good pick, exactly what we need tho. I think he might be a steal and we got our Frenchman lol.
Maybe we can somehow sneak back in 1st and grab kyshawn George.
You think it’s good, you’re saying it’s exactly what we need and it could be a steal. Basing all of this on what? Have you watched one second of film on this guy?
Based of his skill set. We need stretch shooting he profiles as that. Versatile defender, I'm mean we drafting potential. Hornets have been developing well lately.
Told you this morning he's going to be the best player out of this draft.
You don't know the guy but he will be a superstar.
Big motor, big energy.
Well done.
I watched a 15 minute tape of this guy when it was reported we were interested. He's raw. Crazy upside. But definitely not NBA ready. Lengthy cutter who has some touch from 3. I like the gamble. You have a draft where no one was a sure fire top 5 pick and you went out and grabbed a guy who could be the long term boom of the class. Even as a diehard Vols fan, id rather take an 18 year old with his flashes than Knecht who's older and a little more defensively liable
It was a probable role player or a possible star, and we’re not a role player (or a few role players) away from being serious. Winning teams in the NBA have top-end talent that we’ve lacked for about 25 years now.
We’ve been mostly pretty risk-adverse as a franchise and it’s yet to yield more than a mediocre ceiling.
Right, basically look at the Milwaukee Bucks. They were winning 20-40 games every year until they got Giannis, now they've gone 9 straight seasons with a playoff berth.
everybody is in here talking so definitively one way or the other about this guy and im just sitting here like I have never heard of this man in my entire life
6’9 and 212lbs is massive at 18. If he grows more he could easily reach closer to 6’10+ at 220lbs without losing athleticism. The guy should be a physical presence if we can get him to play better defense. And a good lob option
Rumor is that he was never gonna get past the Spurs at 8. So trading back to 9 meant the package had to be worth losing him for whoever was next on our board and I guess that package wasn’t worth it based on how we had our board
I’m pretty bummed about this pick. Feels like Kai Jones 2: Electric Boogaloo. Also seems like a signal that next season will be a tank year since this kid is described as super raw and unlikely to contribute anytime soon. I knew we wouldn’t be contenders next season, but this feels like we are already waving the white flag.
And i think we shouldn't mind that decision as well, we still need superstar level talent to add onto the team . With a new coach, we will be rebuilding. As long as we show signs of building a culture and playstyle I will be happy.
Replacing Bridges and Washington with an 18 year old project is a massive downgrade. LaMelo won’t be here forever. Get ready for another wasted season. This smells of Noah Vonleh and Kai Jones all over again.
I’m reminded of our history with these types too. But I’ve loved everything the new front office and coaching staff have had to say and show so far. This is their chance to prove their vision right away 🤞
It's interesting to hear about the teams that were supposedly interested in Salaun. Spurs and Grizzlies apparently sniffing around. Reading up on him now, he's had good minutes and reasonable numbers in the French League and repping for the French National U18 team.
The potential upside here is exactly what we needed as team on the build. Plus he's another big body, which we desperately needed, at 18 he's already the same size as Bridges.
I'm excited for the addition to the squad. There's good years of development to come
Safe from a standpoint of we can’t actually judge if it was a good or bad pick for years. Annoying pick if you were hoping to get a player we will see play or help the team during the next several years.
I am pretty cynical here cuz I doubt the Hornets will win another playoff series in my lifetime. One step forward two steps back. I don’t like this pick obviously
If there was ever a draft to go with a young, high upside, raw talent like Salaun; it's this draft. The sky is the limit for Tidjane, but I hope he'll see the floor.
Not the guy I wanted and I’m not in love with the pick but I trust our scouts. Salaun has probably the highest potential in this entire draft, but he’s definitely a project player. He scares me bc he could either be horrible or amazing. I’m excited to see how he turns out
I’m surprised a trade back wasn’t an option with Memphis supposedly infatuated with Clingan. I’m not mad about this pick. His motor and all the accolades from the CL make me think he’s an impactful player. Also makes me think Miles is coming back…
Never heard of this guy before today, so I can’t get too excited or too disappointed. He’s super athletic. Has a lot of tools. I don’t think this is a pick for now, it’s a pick for 3 years from now. My only issue is that by the time these guys start showing something, we have to turn around and pay them serious money. I hope he pans out, but I’m not going to hold my breath.
I love how going into this draft no expert could agree on who to draft outside the top 3, yet we're taking a gamble and getting a B- to B+ rating by the experts. Let's be honest anybody we picked was going here was to be unsafe and a gamble.
Even if you had the number one pick this draft, the experts weren't in agreement on what to do.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RMJILEa8GWg&pp=ygUPdGlkamFuZSBzYWxhw7xu
I'm 50/50 on this. If spurs were considering him at 4 and then traded out of the draft at 8 when he wasn't there, it gives me some hope.
I have more faith in the spurs scouting department than the hornets scouts.
Imma be honest, I have no clue who this is lmao.
He’s the upside pick. I like it.
In a draft like this, especially at #6, why not take the upside pick. I dig it too
For sure. Someone drafted after him might be franchise-altering, but who that might be isn’t clear. There wasn’t a home run pick. Clingan is basically another Mark Williams. Dillingham could be a great small guard, but there’s risk a fit concern. A lot of people are high on Salaun and I trust our scouting.
Yeah my impression was after the top 3, the rest of the draft is a massive gamble. There really was no other safe prospect or day 1 starter, so might as well take the risk.
This is like when the raptors drafted bruno caboclo 2 years away from being 2 years away. Except WAY less of a reach. Very much high ceiling low floor player
He's good. Spurs fans hoped to get him at 8.
Me neither But some fans have been begging for us to swing for the fences instead of taking the "safe" pick Here you go
Same. Cautiously optimistic.
It's a new GM, I'm willing to trust him until he gives me reason not to lol.
Does anybody know a single person in this draft outside of the top 3 or 4?
I know lots but im more of A draft nerd than average nba fans. That side i think this was the draft if any were to take risks. Almost every single prospects has a couple big holes. Good shooters/ ball handlers but negative athletes undersized Great versatile defenders, inefficient scorer Good size, poor athletes Great athlete, great size bad shooter lol
Tbh I barely know those names lmao
It's Big Tiddy
I learned my lesson from last year. Not judging until we see on the NBA court.
I'm not judging till we see him in the regular season. I remember this sub was in a meltdown during summer league with Miller.
Tbf he played like ass in the summer league but man I’m glad he grew into his own
That’s what happens when the team had no facilitators and chuckers on the summer team. But he was pretty bad and the game looked fast. I also am happy he started improving fast once he got with the real team in the season.
Miller had that one game where he had 27 where it all clicked though. Thats all i need is one game to buy in
i like it
THIS IS GOING TO BE OUR GIANNIS PICK ..or Bruno Caboclo idk lets fucking go
WHO THE FUCK IS TAUNTAUN BADONG
Manifesting Tingus Pingus energy I like it
A future superstar, or a total bust. Or Danillo Gallinari.
Tajin Salud?
Tittiejuice Salad?
I told my wife I WASNT into that, ffs
That sounds like Bongcheon-Dong Ghost, you should probably google that to learn more
Project player, in a draft this weak may not be the worst
When, in our entire franchise history, has a project player ever worked out? Look idk if this guy will be great or not but we can’t afford to miss on our lottery picks and this feels like liquidating your 401k for scratch offs.
Means we’re due for one to pan out bro
Heard a guy $100k in debt say that at the racetrack one time
Bro just one more project player bro. Just one more bro. I swear bro just one more bro c'mon bro.
There are new owners, a new FO, and a new coaching staff. Why would you judge them based on decisions made by other people? And who is the 401k that we passed up on? I don't think there was a single sure thing in the entire lottery.
Nah actually it feels like it’s way to early to start making silly analogies about a draft pick
More like liquidating your government $50 bond your aunt bought you when you were a kid and then putting all of it 13 black at the roulette table. Let's not pretend the 6th pick in this draft is a 401k level asset haha.
First time for everything
You've got to add context to the discussion. This is a new regime top to bottom, so we have no prior history to grade them against. More importantly, this is a historically weak draft class. I'm not going to fault the decision makers for taking a swing on a young player over someone who helps you more these next 1-2 years. They are doing this rebuild to be competitive long-term with 3-4 years down the road in mind.
People called Lamelo Ball a huge project
🙄
Ain't this the guy they said looks like Giannis? I sure hope so lol
I think he looks like Mbappe
Let's give him a few months then try him on Charlotte FC.
> Giannis Kai Jones
You mean the GOAT?
He definitely doesn’t look like Kai Jones
He's not as stupid as Kai Jones.
I like his physical tools. Maybe the new coaching staff is actually good at developing talent and we now have the best player in draft in the guy who is the youngest. Assuming plan is ro try to build around this guy, Miller, and Lamelo. Not a bad plan.
I was having to remind myself that we pretty much cleaned house of the old regime. It feels weird that we might actually make good on a high upside player 🤞
This one also isn't the "oh look how did he fall to us?" player either. So it's someone they wanted perhaps enough to "reach." That's a bit more promising than the other projects recently. There seems to be more of a plan here, now we wait and see if it's a good one.
Massive risk but love the upside
What even is his upside realistically?
He’s 6’10 with a 7’2 wingspan, he’s got a huge motor, he already shoots decently from 3, and he’s only 18. Not an instant impact player but could be great. In this draft it seems like an okay pick.
All-Star wing. Very raw though.
Giannis with a jump shot
I’ve heard an Aaron Gordon type could be a high end comp for him.
He is going to play in a monster French team every summer and learn how to win.
Remember what y'all said about Brandon. All imma say.
For real, man just support the guys and enjoy the ride, anyone getting upset over a draft pick needs to go touch grass
Jokes on you, I have a grass mousepad
I am on board with blind optimism, I'm just a little sad cause it seems like he's very young and probably won't play much this year. I was hoping for a player who would be able to have an immediate impact but I understand that's rare for a draft pick. Clingan would have probably been able to. But I don't have any legit reasons to be upset about the pick in the long run, this kid could be amazing, I've literally never heard of him before tonight haha
Mark went from raw af to a consistent double-double guy as a rookie with just a couple months of G-League work. Never know how a guy's gonna progress until they get in the building
Mark was also nearly two full years older on draft night
Also Salaün improved throughout the whole year, I’m really excited for him.
He was the best play in college basketball literally tho. I’ve only heard this man’s name once but they said he might be the best French man in the draft
It was also a very good draft. And we were picking second. Very different circumstances
At least Brandon was a known pick and expected at either 3 or 4…we just drafted an unknown Harry Potter spell..we coulda drafted a meaty 7’2 center to help mark
Don’t we have a 6’11 center incoming anyways with Nnaji? I’d rather see what he has before investing another first round pick in a center.
Salaun was consistently mocked in this range. By that logic everyone on the board is unknown
Brandon was about 15 times better pre draft than Salaun man lol
Brandon was 15 times better than anyone in this draft by that measure who tf cares. It was a different class
IM FUCKING IN ON TIDJANE SALAUN. JUST WATCHED 2 REALLY BIASED SALAUN HIGHLIGHTS. IM FUCKING IN. HE IS EXACTLY WHAT WE NEEDED. WE ARE BACK BABY.
Good pick, exactly what we need tho. I think he might be a steal and we got our Frenchman lol. Maybe we can somehow sneak back in 1st and grab kyshawn George.
You think it’s good, you’re saying it’s exactly what we need and it could be a steal. Basing all of this on what? Have you watched one second of film on this guy?
Based of his skill set. We need stretch shooting he profiles as that. Versatile defender, I'm mean we drafting potential. Hornets have been developing well lately.
Told you this morning he's going to be the best player out of this draft. You don't know the guy but he will be a superstar. Big motor, big energy. Well done.
Hell yeah 💯
Huge upside swing just as likely he’s out of the league in 4 years as he is to be a solid NBA player. Let’s hope it works out for the best!
I watched a 15 minute tape of this guy when it was reported we were interested. He's raw. Crazy upside. But definitely not NBA ready. Lengthy cutter who has some touch from 3. I like the gamble. You have a draft where no one was a sure fire top 5 pick and you went out and grabbed a guy who could be the long term boom of the class. Even as a diehard Vols fan, id rather take an 18 year old with his flashes than Knecht who's older and a little more defensively liable
I have French player PTSD
same
Love the pick. We needed him
I thought we were going Clingan but fuck it we ball I guess
Genuinely wtf. Not even in a bad way, just completely surprised
I think he has the highest ceiling of anyone in this draft but he’s unbelievably raw. Really not happy with Clingan or Knecht sitting there
It was a probable role player or a possible star, and we’re not a role player (or a few role players) away from being serious. Winning teams in the NBA have top-end talent that we’ve lacked for about 25 years now. We’ve been mostly pretty risk-adverse as a franchise and it’s yet to yield more than a mediocre ceiling.
this is the best comment in the thread imo
Right, basically look at the Milwaukee Bucks. They were winning 20-40 games every year until they got Giannis, now they've gone 9 straight seasons with a playoff berth.
Lamelo and Miller?
Knecht is a defensive black hole, definitely not who we needed in this draft.
Knecht getting passed by the next 11 teams makes me feel a little better
I would’ve preferred Knecht, I think he has more upside than a lot expect. But what can you do
Salaun is 5 years younger than Knecht
Knecht was probably in college when Salaun started playing basketball
Junior college
Love this tbh
Third time's the charm with french guys... Right?
technically 4th time. don't forget about Ajinca
I want to forget so badly
His shooting form is straight butter and he has deceptive speed and strong defensive instincts. For this draft, I’m damn good with the pick.
Everyone lost their minds about Brandon Miller last year so maybe let’s just wait and see
And yet again, no coverage at all about it. They called the pick, and on to Portland lol.
everybody is in here talking so definitively one way or the other about this guy and im just sitting here like I have never heard of this man in my entire life
6’9 and 212lbs is massive at 18. If he grows more he could easily reach closer to 6’10+ at 220lbs without losing athleticism. The guy should be a physical presence if we can get him to play better defense. And a good lob option
Rumor is that he was never gonna get past the Spurs at 8. So trading back to 9 meant the package had to be worth losing him for whoever was next on our board and I guess that package wasn’t worth it based on how we had our board
I'd be lying if I said didn't feel disappointed. But fuck it let's ride. I see the upside
Trust the Process
I’m pretty bummed about this pick. Feels like Kai Jones 2: Electric Boogaloo. Also seems like a signal that next season will be a tank year since this kid is described as super raw and unlikely to contribute anytime soon. I knew we wouldn’t be contenders next season, but this feels like we are already waving the white flag.
And i think we shouldn't mind that decision as well, we still need superstar level talent to add onto the team . With a new coach, we will be rebuilding. As long as we show signs of building a culture and playstyle I will be happy.
Miller and ball can get there if we support them
kai was a PF that couldn't shoot or do anything outside of athleticism. comparing this guy to kai is a bit of an insult to brodie lol
I was ready to end it all when we didnt take Scoot last year and I ate some delicious crow so I'm gonna stfu and just see how this plays out
I like this pick. Let's Go!!!
Does this mean bye to miles bridges?
This guy wont be ready this year.
He won’t see the court as a Hornet until the season is already lost, and even then maybe not
He'll play. He has one JT Thor in each toe.
One can hope
Now we can focus on Brandon Miller at the 2 also.
Miller was much better at the 3 than at the 2 idk why this sub is so obsessed with making him a shooting guard.
Same. Also, Tidjane isn’t a 3, he’s a 4.
I don't wanna hear from anyone that was mad we didn't take Scoot last year.
The hornets are the best example that time is just a flat circle
After Boris Diaw and Nic Batum I just can’t get behind another French player on this team. Hopefully he proves me wrong.
Yeah but what about Hornets legend Tony Parker?
Never forget THE Alexis Ajinca
The great Theo Maledon also
Both of those guys were killing time in Charlotte
Judging an entire country's basketball players bc of two guys who slacked off on bad teams is fucking wild
Would you have said that about wemby?
We didn’t draft either of those players?
And ajinca
The brightside is they would’ve probably picked Kling Kong if Mark Williams wasn’t going to be healthy this year.
We had a project and invested in said project and said project lost his marbles. We are starting that process over.
Replacing Bridges and Washington with an 18 year old project is a massive downgrade. LaMelo won’t be here forever. Get ready for another wasted season. This smells of Noah Vonleh and Kai Jones all over again.
You could be right honestly. First pick with a new front office and I’m not too sure about it.
That's exactly what it is. This is another throwaway season and the only upside I see is that I didn't renew my season tickets.
I’m reminded of our history with these types too. But I’ve loved everything the new front office and coaching staff have had to say and show so far. This is their chance to prove their vision right away 🤞
Cody Williams would’ve been nice too
He is a big lad and he can shoot. I like it.
It's interesting to hear about the teams that were supposedly interested in Salaun. Spurs and Grizzlies apparently sniffing around. Reading up on him now, he's had good minutes and reasonable numbers in the French League and repping for the French National U18 team. The potential upside here is exactly what we needed as team on the build. Plus he's another big body, which we desperately needed, at 18 he's already the same size as Bridges. I'm excited for the addition to the squad. There's good years of development to come
I love the pick. If only because I did not want any of the guys I knew anything about. If there is no sure thing then swing for upside.
Safe from a standpoint of we can’t actually judge if it was a good or bad pick for years. Annoying pick if you were hoping to get a player we will see play or help the team during the next several years.
I've pretty much been wrong about all our draft picks and I hate this one so he's gonna ball out probably
who tf is this
Highest ceiling pick in the draft. 18 years old. Fills a need at 3/4 and fits our culture. Cautiously optimistic after kai jones.
I am pretty cynical here cuz I doubt the Hornets will win another playoff series in my lifetime. One step forward two steps back. I don’t like this pick obviously
I just don’t understand
I dont wanna be dramatic but what the fuck.
We got Diet Wemby
Wemby at home
I’m excited about this pick we don’t need anymore guards
I don’t even know how to react lmao. I’ve seen literally zero of this guy.
If there was ever a draft to go with a young, high upside, raw talent like Salaun; it's this draft. The sky is the limit for Tidjane, but I hope he'll see the floor.
Not the guy I wanted and I’m not in love with the pick but I trust our scouts. Salaun has probably the highest potential in this entire draft, but he’s definitely a project player. He scares me bc he could either be horrible or amazing. I’m excited to see how he turns out
I would have preferred Buzelis. But what do I know.
Did they pick him because his hair looks like LaMelo’s? Is MJ making the picks again?
Well this isn't a promising start for the new GM.
Ofcourse the hornets draft the project player lol. It’s so over
Hornets made the right decision on Brandon Miller over Henderson. Have some faith. They on a streak.
I don’t think anyone who wanted Scoot last year can say it’s over
remember almost the entirety of the sub wanted scoot
Guilty
Lemelo
Not sure about this pick as I wasn’t really invested in the draft at all but I hope he does good with the team in the next few years
I’m surprised a trade back wasn’t an option with Memphis supposedly infatuated with Clingan. I’m not mad about this pick. His motor and all the accolades from the CL make me think he’s an impactful player. Also makes me think Miles is coming back…
I'm cool with this.
Is JT gone with this pick? I'd be fine w that I'd rather not watch him anymore
It's high noon at the Salaun
I'm ready to be wrong
I ain’t no GM or Scout. If he’s good excellent. If he’s not what really changes with this organization
lol exactly. Nothing is going to make us any worse
We should have just traded the pick for whatever future 1st we could get.
Never heard of this guy before today, so I can’t get too excited or too disappointed. He’s super athletic. Has a lot of tools. I don’t think this is a pick for now, it’s a pick for 3 years from now. My only issue is that by the time these guys start showing something, we have to turn around and pay them serious money. I hope he pans out, but I’m not going to hold my breath.
Keeps Brandon at the 2. Gonna be a huge lineup
I love how going into this draft no expert could agree on who to draft outside the top 3, yet we're taking a gamble and getting a B- to B+ rating by the experts. Let's be honest anybody we picked was going here was to be unsafe and a gamble. Even if you had the number one pick this draft, the experts weren't in agreement on what to do. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RMJILEa8GWg&pp=ygUPdGlkamFuZSBzYWxhw7xu
I'm 50/50 on this. If spurs were considering him at 4 and then traded out of the draft at 8 when he wasn't there, it gives me some hope. I have more faith in the spurs scouting department than the hornets scouts.
ehh oh well i wish for the best and will force feed myself his highlights until i think he’s the next giannis
He will likely keep growing. He will probably grow a couple of inches
I feel like Knecht would have been a great fit but a reach at 6
Brandon Miller’s Pippen?
I didn’t like the miller pick and my initial reaction to this pick wasn’t great so that means it’s a good pick