2024 NBA Mock Draft: Timberwolves grab seasoned prospect, Wizards reach for center
By Austin McGee
16. Philadelphia 76ers - Tidjane Salaun, Cholet Basket
The Philadelphia 76ers will likely be focused on free agency and the trade market rather than the draft. With over $50 million to spend, Philadelphia will surely make a run at marquee-free agents such as Paul George or Klay Thompson.
Besides Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, next year's Philadelphia squad will look much different, however, before the draft comes free agency. The Sixers are fortunate enough to draft inside the top 20 for the first time in six years.
Here, France's Tidjane Salaun is the selection. The 6-foot-9 forward is only 18 years old. He projects as a two-way, versatile combo forward. Salaun averaged 8.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game as one of the youngest players in France's LNB Elite league.
The Frenchman is more of a long-term bet at this stage. He's the classic raw European prospect who possesses elite intangibles. Salaun's length and his impressive instincts make his potential defensive versatility easy to envision.
His offensive potential is much more difficult to project. Salaun isn't a consistent shooter, yet he appears confident when letting it go from deep. He only shot 32.6 percent on 4.2 triples per game. All in all, Salaun is reminiscent of a prospect the Sixers would've selected during "the Process" era.