The Dallas Mavericks only had the 58th overall pick going into the 2024 NBA Draft, but they leveraged a deal with the New York Knicks to move up and get Melvin Ajinca, a prospect they had their eye on.
The 51st pick, which was used to draft Ajinca, was obtained by the Mavericks from the New York Knicks in exchange for the 58th pick and monetary consideration.
The 20-year-old French wing Ajinca last competed for the LNB Pro A team Saint-Quentin Basket-Ball. He played in 28 games and finished with averages of 9.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.8 assists while shooting 30.9% from beyond the arc, 79.7% from the field, and 37.5% from the field.
Alexis Ajinça, who had a seven-year NBA career with various teams including the Dallas Mavericks, has family ties to the NBA that may resonate with the Mavericks. Currently an assistant coach with the Capital City Go-Go, the Washington Wizards’ G League affiliate, Alexis’s experience could potentially influence the Mavericks’ decisions.
During the recent draft period, the Mavericks opted not to trade any contracts, including those of players like Tim Hardaway Jr., who had been heavily rumored in trade discussions. This strategic move is aimed at creating financial flexibility to utilize the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which they intend to use in an effort to re-sign Derrick Jones Jr.
General manager Nico Harrison emphasized during his media exit interview that there likely won’t be significant turnover among the team’s key rotation players. Harrison indicated that the “top seven or eight players” are unlikely to be involved in any trade deals, signaling stability in the Mavericks’ roster composition moving forward.
As the offseason progresses, these decisions underscore the Mavericks’ approach to maintaining continuity while strategically enhancing their roster capabilities within the constraints of the NBA’s financial landscape.
The Mavericks have not wavered from their recent emphasis on wing depth beyond the more seasoned signings of P.J. Washington and Jones. The team has established some developmental alternatives there by converting A.J. Lawson from a two-way contract to a normal deal and acquiring Olivier-Maxence Prosper through a draft night trade last year.
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