RealGM

Alexis Ajinca, C for the Mavs was just waived to make room for Peja Stojakovic.
22 years old, 7'1 262 (according to Yahoo).
Drafted 20th overall by the Bobcats in 2008.
Signed for $1,467,840 for 2010, UFA in 2011 (Mavs declined his 4th yr option).

If we want him we might have to put in a waiver claim, he's still cheap (only 600k over the vet min).
He's still very raw, he saw very little time on 2 veteran teams.
Can block shots but has trouble with fouls (like Pek).
But he has exactly the type of size and length we are looking for.
He has nice touch offensively, and I remember from his draft workout here they were raving about his shooting.

Here is a DX writeup:
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Alexis-Ajinca-534/

Could be a Darko-style reclamation project. We have to do something with that 12.5 mil in cap space. Might also allow us to move Kosta for something of value and clear his 2011 salary off the books.

I don't see the point. He's the classic workout wonder without much upstairs.

I had the same thought youngguns

I'd rather have Yinka Dare...dude had 4 assists in 110 NBA games...

Well Ajinca looks like a better version (body wise) of Marion too me with a much better shooting style. IMO he is going to improve and become a good player. I would consider him as a small forward rather than a post player. I do not believe that he is what Minnesota needs though.

Greco21 wrote:Well Ajinca looks like a better version (body wise) of Marion too me with a much better shooting style. IMO he is going to improve and become a good player. I would consider him as a small forward rather than a post player. I do not believe that he is what Minnesota needs though.

A 7'1" SF?

42 pct 3 points. Generally not a bad shooter.

Greco21 wrote:42 pct 3 points. Generally not a bad shooter.

OK, I get that. But Love and Nowitzki are good shooters too, but you don't see them playing SF.

Klomp wrote:

Greco21 wrote:42 pct 3 points. Generally not a bad shooter.

OK, I get that. But Love and Nowitzki are good shooters too, but you don't see them playing SF.

Why move the best rebounder of the league to the 3 spot? No added value there. On the other hand i do not see Ajinca contributing that much on rebounds or blocks. He could provide extra value on the perimeter while he will oversize every small forward on the league (not sure he will have advantage on defense). Too tall for the spot but quick and agile enough.

Klomp wrote:

Greco21 wrote:Well Ajinca looks like a better version (body wise) of Marion too me with a much better shooting style. IMO he is going to improve and become a good player. I would consider him as a small forward rather than a post player. I do not believe that he is what Minnesota needs though.

A 7'1" SF?

Not saying I'd want Ajinca, but in his younger days we had a 6'13" SF in KG.

Are we really that desperate? Talking about a player that got waived by a team that gives Pavlob*tch and the Custodian minutes?

I wouldn't mind taking a flyer on him, but I would rather call up Sean Williams.

I'm sure the FO is giving this thought.


As a side note, i never understood how they could have Bball iq as a positive. But have descision making as a neg.

On his way to the Raptors it seems.