Tidjane Salaun returns for his third Summer League with the Hornets. That third appearance carries extra weight because it signals the need for tangible steps forward after two previous chances. Salaun helped Charlotte win the 2025 Summer League title while averaging 14 points per game. That total reflected a five-point jump from the summer before. He also delivered veteran presence in the early games and helped set the tone for the championship run.

Once the regular season began, Salaun slipped back toward the end of the bench. Injuries, G-League assignments, and the Hornets' push for a playoff spot limited his opportunities even more. He finished the year averaging six points per game, a slight increase from his rookie season. He shot 43 percent from three-point range, yet the overall body of work still left the front office wanting clearer signs of growth heading into year three.

The Hornets must decide how Salaun fits into a crowded forward group that features both proven rotation pieces and younger prospects fighting for the same minutes. His improved summer scoring and spacing from beyond the arc provide value, but consistent defensive intensity and playmaking remain gaps that must close. Summer League gives him the platform to establish those improvements against competition that mirrors what he will see in October.

Much like Salaun, McNeely faces pressure to produce in a rotation already stacked with wings and frontcourt options. He cannot rely on occasional flashes. Instead he must deliver steady output that forces coaches to hand him regular minutes. The organization has shown patience with developing young talent, yet that window narrows when summer performances fail to carry over into the regular season.

Both forwards understand that limited regular-season roles turn every Summer League possession into an extended audition. Strong showings can elevate their place in the rotation before training camp even opens. A quiet performance risks another year of shuttling between the NBA bench and the G-League, where development continues but visibility shrinks.

Salaun in particular enters with heightened expectations after last summer's title run and statistical leap. Any sign of regression would intensify the battle for his roster spot and push Charlotte to look harder at alternatives. The Frenchman has the physical tools and shooting stroke to carve out a long-term role. This summer represents the moment he must prove those tools translate when the games matter most for the Hornets' long-term construction.