Hornets mailbag: Expectations for Tidjane Salaün? Rotational battles to eye?

It’s almost here.

Players have returned from their final summer vacations and the countdown to the Charlotte Hornets’ first training camp under coach Charles Lee is rapidly approaching. And there are plenty of questions surrounding the Hornets leading into their initial official practice at Duke University’s Michael W. Krzyzewski Center on Oct. 1.

In this latest mailbag, we answer reader queries about key rotation battles, what to expect from rookie Tidjane Salaün, whether Josh Green will be in the starting lineup and more.

What are the key things to look for in training camp?

@buzz_szn asks on X, formerly known as Twitter: What are the biggest position/rotation battles to watch out for?

We’ll dive deeper into this in our upcoming training camp preview, but there are two positions where it’ll be interesting to see how things shake out. The first is the guard rotation, especially given the different ways Lee can go with the reserve guard spots. It will be particularly intriguing to follow how Lee mixes and matches his guard rotation, given he has different options with Tre Mann, Brandon Miller, Josh Green and Vasa Micić.

The other spot is power forward behind Miles Bridges. Previously, they had the luxury of plugging PJ Washington into that spot, whether it was with the starting unit or off the bench. Now, there’s no clear-cut traditional power forward to play alongside Mark Williams. Grant Williams can line up at the power forward and center positions, but he doesn’t fit that ‘traditional’ mold. So, what Lee does with his forwards will be another thing to keep an eye on.

Will Tidjane Salaün contribute immediately?

David Inscoe asks on X: What are some realistic expectations for Tidjane Salaün’s rookie season? Will he be a rotation player by year end?

They should be tempered somewhat, because there are still a lot of unknowns with the Hornets’ 2024 first-round pick. He’s raw and needs time to develop, but you can see the potential is there. During his limited action in summer league, he displayed some of the skill set that makes him a potentially tantalizing option. Still, 18 years old, he has to transition into a new culture and working environment, while also becoming more in tune with how the game is played on this side of the pond and the physical nature of the NBA.

It’s hard to think he’ll be part of the main rotation immediately — unless there are injuries ahead of him on the depth chart or if he has an unbelievable showing in preseason. There’s a good chance Salaün may see action specifically for defensive purposes initially before becoming a full-time member of the top eight or nine players in a rotation. But from early glimpses, he has a chance to eventually be an effective player at this level.

Will Josh Green start alongside LaMelo Ball?

ConversationAndHennessy asks on X: Is Josh Green definitely planning to start or is there competition from Cody Martin and others?

From all indications, Green is going to be in that starting back court alongside LaMelo Ball. He gives the Hornets a nice balance and can take some of the pressure off Ball by defending either of the opposing team’s guards, which could be a serious boost given Ball’s penchant for collecting fouls. Since Green can play more than one position, it will provide Lee with options and having Green in the lineup at the game’s outset helps establish the tone Lee is looking for on that side of the court.

What’s the deal with KJ Simpson?

Eric Scott Schaeffer asks on X: Is KJ Simpson the future backup PG to Melo or is it someone else? Will he live in the G League this year?

Yes and yes. That’s the thought process. When they drafted Simpson, the Hornets were looking more toward the future and not the present. Typically, second-round picks take a little more time to develop than first-rounders, so to expedite that process the Hornets will have Simpson with the Greensboro Swarm, allowing him to sharpen his skills in the G League for most of the season.

With the Swarm, he gets more of an opportunity to be on the court consistently, which is where you learn best as opposed to sitting on the bench watching the action on the Hornets’ main roster. The organization likes Simpson’s passion and work ethic, currently penciling him in as the future backup point guard.

What are the best memories while on the Hornets beat?

Miller Muse asks on X: What are your top 3 moments covering the Hornets?

Great question and a really hard one to winnow down to just three. Witnessing impressive comebacks in road venues can be really cool, so the Hornets’ improbable win in Denver in 2021 has to be included. That was the night Kelly Oubre and PJ Washington were unconscious in the fourth quarter, helping turn a 17-point deficit into an eight-point victory over the Nuggets. In asking Washington why he was so hot and what got into him, he said he was just ready to go home. And he wasn’t the only one, either, as it was hours before Christmas.

No. 2 would be Kemba Walker giving it to Jimmy Butler in 2018. What an incredible performance and a maddening night considering how it ended: Butler canned a jumper to lift Philadelphia to a wild win.

And the top moment, although it conjures up heartburn for many Hornets fans, came in 2016. It was at the Hornets’ last playoff game and the atmosphere was insane. The crowd was in a frenzy and was feeling victory until, well, we know what happened, thanks to Purple Shirt guy in some people’s eyes. But, yeah that ranks as the best moment, and it’s another reason why a convincing argument can be made that if the Hornets ever get things together and return to the playoffs, this city will be off the charts with its intensity.

One cool bonus moment: Getting an in-depth look at what it takes to be a mascot like Hugo. Stories like that are really enjoyable to bring to readers.