NBA Draft Player Profile: Tidjane Salaun

Jun 17, 2024, 8:19 AM | Updated: 8:22 am

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 21: Tidjane Salaun (31) (Cholet) warms up prior to the French National Basketba...

(Photo by Glenn Gervot/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Lead Editor & Kings Beat Writer

As we inch closer to the 2024 NBA Draft, Sactown Sports 1140 is beginning to examine players who could be on the Sacramento Kings’ radar.

The Kings hold the 13th pick in the draft, meaning they could bring in a player to help the team from day one, whether by using the pick on a prospect or by moving the pick to upgrade the roster via trade.

For Sacramento, adding a floor-spacing forward or big should be on general manager Monte McNair’s to-do list, but that doesn’t mean he won’t pick the player he and the rest of the Kings’ front office believe to be the best available.

Today, let’s take a look at French forward Tidjane Salaun, an 18-year-old prospect who took home the FIBA Champions League’s Best Young Player Award in 2024.

Tidjane Salaun | SF | Height: 6’10 | Weight: 217 lbs | Age: 19 | Big Board: 11th

Scouting Report via NBA Draft Room

Salaun is a really intriguing, long-armed, and athletic power forward from France who has a really special upside but still a lot to prove as a player and prospect.

He shows awesome flashes of perimeter skills and can play like a jumbo wing, bringing the ball up the court and splashing three-pointers – impressive skills for a 6-10 teenager.

He’s got a good-looking 3-point shot and plenty of upside as a floor spacer, but so far, the percentages leave room for improvement. I’m a buyer of his shot and think he’ll be a really good outside shooter a few years down the line. He has a really nice and easy release on his jumper, a high release point, and, overall, a nice-looking shot.

He’s a quick decision-maker with the ball, keeping the ball moving well and making decisive moves to the hoop or when getting into his jumper. And he’s an underrated passer with some serious upside as a playmaker.

He’s a quick and bouncy athlete who can blow by defenders or overpower them on his way to the rim. He gets way above the rim on his dunks and is definitely a plus athlete, even by NBA standards. He’s also got good strength and a frame that will continue to add muscle. His wingspan is listed at 7-1, but it appears longer to me.

He instantly passes the eye test when you see him on the court, and it’s rare to see a 6-10 player with his level of movement skills and athleticism.

Pro Comp: Michael Porter Jr.

When is the next NBA off-season date of interest?

The NBA Draft is now a two-night event.

Wednesday, June 26th, will act as the first night of the 2024 NBA Draft, where the Sacramento Kings will make their first-round selection (13th). The second round of the draft will be held on Thursday, June 27th, where the Kings will use its 45th overall pick.

Sacramento hasn’t had a first-round pick since 2022, when it selected Iowa product Keegan Murray with the fourth overall pick.

Stay locked into Sactown Sports for all of your Kings draft coverage, including player profiles, reports regarding pre-draft workouts, draft night coverage, and much more.

NBA Offseason Schedule