Tidjane Salaün puts defense first for the Hornets: ‘All I want is winning’

CHARLOTTE — Oct. 14, 2026 — Tidjane Salaün is not talking himself into a bigger scoring role for the Charlotte Hornets. After Monday’s practice, the 21-year-old French forward made the hierarchy clear: defense first, then wins.

“Defense is the main part. With my abilities, that’s where I can have the most success.”

Salaün, the former sixth overall pick and 2024 Basketball Champions League Best Young Player, has played 97 NBA games across his first two seasons and is still hunting a stable night-to-night identity. In his first two preseason appearances this year he averaged 5.5 points and 4.5 rebounds. He said his body feels closer to where he wants it.

“I feel pretty good with my body. Defensively, I feel straight even better, better and better. And then it’s just about rhythm.”

Chemistry over box scores

Charlotte’s roster mix around him includes fellow Frenchman Moussa Diabaté and a German trio of Dennis Schröder, Hannes Steinbach and Christian Anderson Jr. Salaün credited the veterans for how the group has looked since camp opened.

“The team is getting better since the training camp. Good chemistry is coming for the season.”

Personal numbers are not the scoreboard he is watching.

“Take a step. Be better defensively, and my team wins. All I want is winning.”

What is left on the preseason calendar

The Hornets finish the exhibition slate on the road against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday and the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, then open the regular season next Wednesday at Brooklyn. For a wing still proving he belongs in every defensive package, those three games are less about padding the averages and more about showing coaches he can take the step he keeps naming.