The Charlotte Hornets invested significantly in the power forward position this past summer. In the 2024 NBA Draft, they selected Tidjane Salaün with the sixth overall pick. In free agency, they re-signed Miles Bridges to a three-year, $75 million extension. They also acquired Grant Williams from the Dallas Mavericks, expecting him to be a key contributor. The results have been disappointing.
Injuries and inconsistency have defined the Hornets’ power forward rotation. Despite what the numbers might suggest, the team never found proper stability at the position. For the Hornets to take the next step toward becoming consistent winners, they must address this issue head-on, whether by reshuffling the rotation or seeking outside help.
How should Salaun, Bridges, and Williams be evaluated after the 2024–25 season? And heading into the offseason, should Charlotte consider upgrading the position? Let’s dive in.
Incomplete Grade
When the Hornets acquired Grant Williams, they expected a reliable perimeter shooter and a physical presence inside. In 29 games last season (10 starts), Williams averaged 13.9 points on 50/37/76 shooting splits, while contributing 5.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game, offering more playmaking than anticipated.
Early in the season, Nick Richards and Mark Williams’ injuries forced Williams into minutes at center. He held his own in seven starts at the five, posting 11.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game on strong 44.6/39.3/84.2% shooting. Over 16 additional appearances, he maintained steady production with 10.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists.
Unfortunately, Williams’ season was derailed by an ACL tear against the Milwaukee Bucks. He’s been rehabbing since the winter, with the summer now critical to his recovery and strength building.
The Hornets still see potential, but the question remains: When — and how — will Williams be ready to contribute again?
Miles Bridges
Expectations were high for Miles Bridges heading into the season. After sitting out the entire 2022–23 campaign, he returned to 21.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, shooting 46% from the field and 34.9% from three. With Charles Lee stepping in as head coach, many believed Bridges could take another leap in efficiency. For much of the season, however, that growth never fully materialized.
Bridges struggled to find his rhythm early. In his first 10 games, he averaged just 15.5 points while shooting 40.9% from the floor and 31.7% from deep — both slight dips from his previous production. It wasn’t until injuries thinned the roster that Bridges began to find his footing.
Since February 1st, he resembled his old self, averaging 21.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. However, efficiency still lagged behind expectations, as he shot 42.6% overall and 32.8% from three-point range during that stretch.
With LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller expected back healthy next season, Bridges faces a critical question: What role can he carve out on a team with more mouths to feed?
Grade: C-
Tidjane Salaün
Expectations were cautiously optimistic for Tidjane Salaün in his rookie season. Drafted sixth overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, Salaün brought a mix of length, athleticism, and defensive potential that fit the Hornets’ long-term vision. However, like many young prospects, his first year was a rollercoaster.
Offensively, Salaün showed flashes but remained inconsistent. He averaged 8.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists across 68 appearances, shooting 41.3% from the field and 31.5% from three-point range. His shot selection often betrayed his inexperience, and he struggled to finish plays against stronger, more physical defenders.
Defensively, Salaün’s tools were apparent — his length and instincts created occasional highlight-reel blocks and deflections — but lapses in positioning and awareness limited his overall impact. Foul trouble was also a recurring issue, as he averaged 2.4 fouls per game in limited minutes.
Still, the potential is hard to ignore. Salaün’s motor, frame, and flashes of perimeter skill suggest that, with time and refinement, he could become a true two-way contributor. The Hornets must be patient and allow him to develop without rushing expectations.
Given the ups and downs, it’s clear Salaun remains more of a long-term project than an immediate solution.
Grade: D+
Offseason Plans
Salaün and Williams are firmly in the Hornets’ plans for the immediate future. The bigger question centers around Miles Bridges and his future role.
There’s no denying Bridges’ talent as a scorer and highlight machine, but his inconsistent shooting and lapses on defense remain concerns. Even more problematic, Bridges needs the ball in his hands to be most effective — a reality that clashes with the presence of LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, two players who will command heavy usage next season.
The Hornets must decide whether Bridges’ skill set complements their long-term core, or if it’s time to move on.
In Conclusion
The Hornets entered last offseason with hopes that bolstering the power forward position would help stabilize the roster and accelerate their rebuild. Instead, injuries, inconsistency, and growing pains defined the 2024–25 campaign.
Tidjane Salaün remains a long-term project, while Grant Williams’ return from injury will be a key storyline to monitor. Meanwhile, Miles Bridges’ future with the team is uncertain, as his ball-dominant style and defensive inconsistencies could complicate the Hornets’ plans around LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller.
For the Hornets to progress, the front office must look at the current rotation and decide whether internal development will be enough or if a major shakeup is necessary. Either way, the margin for error is shrinking.
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