Tidjane Salaun - 2024 NBA Draft Prospect

[RC_Drunkford]

I don‘t think it‘s a bad idea to draft a kid with superior work ethic that plays professional ball in France at #8 in a draft where every prospect has defficiencies in their game. It‘s a swing for the fences type of pick. I‘m not as low on this kid as other people here, but I‘d rather trade the pick

[LeBowen]

I don‘t think it‘s a bad idea to draft a kid with superior work ethic that plays professional ball in France at #8 in a draft where every prospect has defficiencies in their game. It‘s a swing for the fences type of pick. I‘m not as low on this kid as other people here, but I‘d rather trade the pick

If we look at all the wing prospects, it's pretty obvious why they rate Salaun.
He's got the most size and is a true power forward who could even spend some minutes at C in certain small lineups against benches when Wemby sits.
He's actually a shooter. In 36 games this season, he had 137 2pt attempts and 157 3pt attempts. 32% from 3pt is far from impressive, but sometimes shooter's mentality is more important than percentage.
If we exclude Risacher who probably won't be available, he's the only shooter of the bunch.
Size and shooting combination with supposed high work ethic is enough for him to be rated higher than others. And it's not like Holland or Buzelis compensate for that lack of shooting with amazing handle or playmaking.

This season's shot chart:



It's obvious from any of his videos he's got no inbetween game and that top of the key is his favorite spot.
Mid-range attempts on the left side are irrelevant, it's 2-4 and 2-5, respectively.

Idk, too hard to evaluate his ceiling, we can just hope PATFO makes the right choice.
I'd personally pass on all of these wings except Risacher if he's available.
Would rather gamble on Dillingham's ability to bulk up than on any of these forwards with so many fundamental flaws.
Or just get Carter who seems to be the most NBA-ready player right now with solid upside.

[onechance87]

If we look at all the wing prospects, it's pretty obvious why they rate Salaun.
He's got the most size and is a true power forward who could even spend some minutes at C in certain small lineups against benches when Wemby sits.
He's actually a shooter. In 36 games this season, he had 137 2pt attempts and 157 3pt attempts. 32% from 3pt is far from impressive, but sometimes shooter's mentality is more important than percentage.
If we exclude Risacher who probably won't be available, he's the only shooter of the bunch.
Size and shooting combination with supposed high work ethic is enough for him to be rated higher than others. And it's not like Holland or Buzelis compensate for that lack of shooting with amazing handle or playmaking.

This season's shot chart:



It's obvious from any of his videos he's got no inbetween game and that top of the key is his favorite spot.
Mid-range attempts on the left side are irrelevant, it's 2-4 and 2-5, respectively.

Idk, too hard to evaluate his ceiling, we can just hope PATFO makes the right choice.
I'd personally pass on all of these wings except Risacher if he's available.
Would rather gamble on Dillingham's ability to bulk up than on any of these forwards with so many fundamental flaws.
Or just get Carter who seems to be the most NBA-ready player right now with solid upside.

salaun has terrible foot work,Has no basketbal iq,Not really good at anything.We already got players like that,We dont need
more to this roster.

[LeBowen]

salaun has terrible foot work,Has no basketbal iq,Not really good at anything.We already got players like that,We dont need
more to this roster.

Holland has no offensive game whatsoever. Shot, handles, finishing when contested around the rim, decision making...he's got nothing.
Buzelis has shown flashes of everything, but has nothing.
Williams is severely underweight and has shown some flashes, but again, has nothing he's really good at.

That's why I wrote I'd rather get Dillingham or Carter with #8.
The only way I'd pick a wing is if it's Sheppard at #4.

[onechance87]

Holland has no offensive game whatsoever. Shot, handles, finishing when contested around the rim, decision making...he's got nothing.
Buzelis has shown flashes of everything, but has nothing.
Williams is severely underweight and has shown some flashes, but again, has nothing he's really good at.

That's why I wrote I'd rather get Dillingham or Carter with #8.
The only way I'd pick a wing is if it's Sheppard at #4.

I think i want carter to.Good rebounder,Good defender,Got that dog in him.If his shot is real,He can be our next derrick white
that fits next wemby nicely.

[ambchang]

I like Salaun quite a bit, even though I realize he’s now more of an athlete than a basketball player. He’s likely 2 or 3 years away from bring in the rotation, let along contribute. He could end up like a Stromile swift or Yinka Dare with work ethic, all athlete but no brains, but the upside is mighty tempting.

If we can get sheppard at 4, who should be able to contribute quite immediately, the 8 pick could be used for a project. Otherwise if we we get castle at 4, we should go for someone who can contribute earlier.

[scottspurs]

Salaun apparently sprained his ankle working out for the spurs in San Antonio according to ESPN. Interesting timing to no longer be able to workout for other teams. Maybe he really did sprain his ankle. Or maybe he got a promise from the Spurs. He also worked out with Portland, Sacramento and OKC, but will no longer be able to workout for Charlotte or Detroit. Very interesting

[Dejounte]

Salaun apparently sprained his ankle working out for the spurs in San Antonio according to ESPN. Interesting timing to no longer be able to workout for other teams. Maybe he really did sprain his ankle. Or maybe he got a promise from the Spurs. He also worked out with Portland, Sacramento and OKC, but will no longer be able to workout for Charlotte or Detroit. Very interesting

Bro just post the whole article. You sprinkling in all these nice tidbits in different threads lol

[kobyz]

I don‘t think it‘s a bad idea to draft a kid with superior work ethic that plays professional ball in France at #8 in a draft where every prospect has defficiencies in their game. It‘s a swing for the fences type of pick. I‘m not as low on this kid as other people here, but I‘d rather trade the pick

With Wemby on the team i don't think we need to go for swing for the fances type picks, we have the luxury to go for safe picks just to surround Wemby with solid two way players that fit him...

[scottspurs]

Bro just post the whole article. You sprinkling in all these nice tidbits in different threads lol

Haha it’s a very long article

[Bartleby]

With Wemby on the team i don't think we need to go for swing for the fances type picks, we have the luxury to go for safe picks just to surround Wemby with solid two way players that fit him...

That's the beauty of having two FRPs in the top ten: the Spurs can hedge their bets by going with a safe pick and a project.

[rankingtear]

OKC would pick this guy and he be their starting PF for years. Book it.

[Ariel]

Salaun apparently sprained his ankle working out for the spurs in San Antonio according to ESPN. Interesting timing to no longer be able to workout for other teams. Maybe he really did sprain his ankle. Or maybe he got a promise from the Spurs. He also worked out with Portland, Sacramento and OKC, but will no longer be able to workout for Charlotte or Detroit. Very interesting

It's a done deal.

[SpursFan86]

Yeah no offense but I really hope he actually sprained his ankle and this isn’t a smokescreen because the Spurs gave him a promise Although I guess if they gave him a promise it’d at least mean he crushed the workout.

Only way I’d be fine with Salaun at 8 is if we managed to get Sheppard at 4. Still would be plenty of preferred options but could live with it at least.

[Pauleta14]

Here's the ESPN updated mock draft...

https://www.espn.co.uk/nba/insider/s...-heat-30-teams

They have us taking Castle at 4 and Dilli at 8

[Seventyniner]

Haha it’s a very long article

If we had something better to do with our time would we be posting here?

[Mr. Body]

Floor and Ceiling is good draft content. He is thorough and his analysis is solid. His vid on Risacher did a good job identifying the problems a while back. You had to read between the lines of what he was saying, as Risacher was still considered this can't-miss great prospect at the time.

This one on Salaun says exactly why he's a disaster of a top 10 pick. Just a section on Finishing Improvements at 7:25 or Defense at 12:45. "His defense remains entirely theoretical."

It's astounding this guy is being considered top half of the lottery. I wouldn't pick him in the top 20.

[SpursDynasty85]

That's the beauty of having two FRPs in the top ten: the Spurs can hedge their bets by going with a safe pick and a project.

Yep, but that brings up Luka Samanic memories. Luckily our picks are much higher this year.

[BackHome]

Floor and Ceiling is good draft content. He is thorough and his analysis is solid. His vid on Risacher did a good job identifying the problems a while back. You had to read between the lines of what he was saying, as Risacher was still considered this can't-miss great prospect at the time.

This one on Salaun says exactly why he's a disaster of a top 10 pick. Just a section on Finishing Improvements at 7:25 or Defense at 12:45. "His defense remains entirely theoretical."

It's astounding this guy is being considered top half of the lottery. I wouldn't pick him in the top 20.

Yeah, it was a very well done video and I have to agree I am more high on Dadiet then I am on Salaun

[kobyz]

Do you see some Sean Elliott in Saluan?

[Mr. Body]

Do you see some Sean Elliott in Saluan?

They both know what a basketball is?

[4lifecowboy]

Who we take at 4 is going to tell everything. If Castle is the pick @ 4 I could see Salaun at 8. If we go wing @ 4 it is Devin Carter at 8.

[LeBowen]

Who we take at 4 is going to tell everything. If Castle is the pick @ 4 I could see Salaun at 8. If we go wing @ 4 it is Devin Carter at 8.

Not necessarily.
Keldon isn't in long-term plans, even if he stays this year.
Champagnie is a cheap filler.
Jeremy is the only wing that could become a core roster member, but he can't shoot.

Even if we don't trade Keldon, we need two rotation wings for this season.

The only combination I'd exclude is Sheppard+Dillingham.

[The Truth #6]

Sounds like a hustle spazz type player, a French Tyler Hansbrough, if you will.

[mo7888]

Do you see some Sean Elliott in Saluan?

Both are hard workers.... that's about it really