Completed: Charlotte Hornets To Declare Five-Star’s Comeback…
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – For the second year in a row, the Charlotte Hornets’ first-round draft pick has drawn strong mixed reactions from the fanbase.
Many fans in attendance of the team’s watch party at Suffolk Punch Brewery in South End were surprised when NBA Commissioner Adam Silver read out Tidjane Salaün’s name with the No. 6 overall pick.
There was no consensus for what the fans wanted with this pick. Some wanted to trade up for Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard, some wanted to trade back and build more draft capital. Some wanted Dalton Knecht, some wanted Donovan Clingan.
The one common thread was that seemingly nobody had Salaün on their radar entering Wednesday night.
A year after initially disapproving of the Hornets’ selection of Brandon Miller, fan Ethan Gandara once again expressed his disappointment.
“We got the three pieces – Brandon Miller, we got Mark, we got Melo – Knecht four was about to happen,” he said. “I’m rooting for him [Salaün], I guess. Turn it around…prove us wrong, please.”
WATCH: He’s back, and more distraught than ever.
After having a mental crisis when the Hornets took Brandon Miller last year, Ethan Gandara was once again disappointed in this year’s first round pick.
I think this means Tidjane Salaun is going to make all-rookie now pic.twitter.com/j72UJ0EONC
— Cam Gaskins (@CamGaskinsTV) June 27, 2024
A native of Paris, Salaün averaged 9.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 54 games (40 starts) this season across all competitions with Cholet Basket of the LNB Elite league, France’s top division.
One notable name who was not taken in the first round is Bronny James, son of Lakers superstar LeBron James. Duke’s Kyle Filipowski and UNC’s Harrison Ingram are also still on the board.
The Duke-UNC combo and the younger James could hear their names Thursday night when the NBA Draft continues with the second and final round. The Hornets’ enter Day 2 of the draft with the 42nd-overall pick, which is the 12th in the second round.
