The Charlotte Hornets declined to exercise Tidjane Salaun’s 2027-28 rookie-scale team option, Keith Smith reported Sunday, November 1, 2026. The decision comes during the 21-year-old forward’s third season with the franchise.
Salaun is in the third year of a four-year, $34 million rookie contract. By declining the option, Charlotte has chosen not to retain him on the deal for the 2027-28 season.
The French forward has appeared in six games this season, averaging 5.3 points and 3.2 rebounds in 13.5 minutes per game. He is shooting 54.2% from the field and 40% from three-point range, making one three-pointer per game.
Salaun has played a reduced role in each of his three NBA seasons. He appeared in 60 games as a rookie in 2024-25, averaging 5.9 points and 4.7 rebounds in 20.7 minutes, before appearing in 37 games last season and averaging 6.0 points in 15.5 minutes.
His shooting improved in 2025-26, when he converted 50.3% of his field-goal attempts and 43.4% of his three-pointers.
Through 103 career appearances, Salaun is averaging 5.9 points and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 39.2% from the field and 33% from beyond the arc.
Salaun has not started a game this season. Charlotte is 3-4 through its first seven games of the 2026-27 campaign.
