I don’t think he’s four years (or even three) away. I would expect him to become our primary backup PF next year. In three years he will be on the younger end of our timeline but if he’s a starter then this will be viewed as a brilliant long term thinking pick.
The media (especially social media) thrives on short term thinking. This story does fit their instant gratification craving so they don’t like it. I say the new owners spent billions to buy the team. If they want to be deliberate and patient so be it. Funk the social media pundits who openly state that they don’t have our best interests in mind.
Excerpt:
Despite being a bit of a late bloomer compared to other French prospects, Salaün has rapidly developed since joining Cholet and was a fast riser during the pre-draft process after playing a significant role on a playoff-bound team. The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor describes Salaün as a “young talent with the raw qualities to potentially become a versatile two-way star,” noting his off-ball defense, positional versatility and hustle. Per Sam Vecenie of The Athletic, Salaün has remarkable fluidity and impressive balance for his size, plays hard and with confidence, and “seems to care and is always engaged on the court.”
Prior to being drafted, Salaün already had some familiarity with the Hornets’ organization, given its history with French-born players. “I know it’s a club that’s trying to remake itself,” he said. “They have LaMelo Ball, who is a great player. He makes a lot of things happen on the court. I love watching him. It’s very impressive how he plays. Before, they had [former majority owner] Michael Jordan and French players in the past like Tony Parker, Boris Diaw, and Nic Batum.”
