Hornets' top draft pick signs rookie contract

The Hornets have signed lottery pick Tidjane Salaun to his rookie scale contract, the team announced Wednesday in a press release.

Salaun is headed to Charlotte after spending the past two seasons with Cholet Basket in France’s top basketball league (LNB Elite). In 54 games with the team in 2023/24, the 6-foot-9 forward averaged 9.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals per contest.

The No. 6 overall pick Salaun was one of three French prospects selected in the top half of the 2024 lottery, joining countrymen Zaccharie Risacher (No. 1) and Alex Sarr (No. 2). He’s also one of the youngest players in this year’s draft class — he won’t turn 19 next until next month.

As our breakdown of rookie scale salaries shows, Salaun will earn nearly $7.5M in 2024-25 and approximately $34M over the next four years, assuming he signed for the usual 120% of the rookie scale amount and eventually has his third- and fourth-year options exercised.