Alexis Ajinca Close To Two-Year Deal With Pelicans

Post #1 » by **RealGM Wiretap** » Tue Dec 17, 2013 10:45 pm

Alexis Ajinca is on the verge of a two-year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Ajinca is finalizing a buyout with Strabourg of France.

The Pelicans and Strasbourg have agreed on the standard $575,000 buyout under NBA rules.

Via Ken Berger/CBS Sports

malgus · Post #2 » by **malgus** » Tue Dec 17, 2013 11:13 pm

He already had his shot at the NBA. Oh well. Maybe 2nd times the charm.

aporel18 · Post #3 » by **aporel18** » Wed Dec 18, 2013 12:49 am

malgus wrote:He already had his shot at the NBA. Oh well. Maybe 2nd times the charm.

Alexis is looking really good with both French NT this summer and with Strasbourg in the Euroleague. Not a starter, but might be a good backup. For that money, it's great value for the Pelicans. Stiemmsma or Jason Smith could be moved soon.

King4Day · Post #4 » by **King4Day** » Wed Dec 18, 2013 2:02 am

I remember Charlotte wasting a first rounder on him.
I did hear he has improved so we'll see. Hope he does well.

sanity · Post #5 » by **sanity** » Wed Dec 18, 2013 3:34 am

Once regarded by the ever knowledgeable Bryan Colangelo as a legit pro player

Liver_Pooty · Post #6 » by **Liver_Pooty** » Wed Dec 18, 2013 6:41 am

DarkHawk wrote:I remember Charlotte wasting a first rounder on him.
I did hear he has improved so we'll see. Hope he does well.

Charlotte wanted Hibbert at the 20th pick, and instead of at least trying to trade up a couple spots to get him they stayed there thinking he would be there. Nope.

MilesTeg · Post #7 » by **MilesTeg** » Wed Dec 18, 2013 10:12 am

I know this will sound crazy, but watching him this year I think he could be one of the top centers in the NBA. He's way, way better than he used to be, and whoever picks him up will be very happy they did.

I'm just sad it won't be the Spurs!

LilDeuceDeuce · Post #8 » by **LilDeuceDeuce** » Wed Dec 18, 2013 10:04 pm

I know it was only for 24 games a couple years ago, but this dude was one of the worst NBA centers I've ever seen with Toronto, and I watched Rafael Araujo for two years. He had an incredible wingspan but didn't use it; he looked like he was stuck in molasses when he closed out on shooters and he'd half-heartedly paw at the ball, throwing himself out of position more often than not. On offense he'd call for the ball in the high post and try to back down players from 16 to 20 feet away from the basket, like he thought he was the 2nd coming of Nowitzki, but he just constantly bricked 20 foot turnaround jumpers. I guess it's possible he'll rededicate himself to being a role player--Kris Humphries used to act like he was some sort of perimeter star before he finally played within his limitations and became a serviceable double-double guy for a few years--but when I saw Ajinca he looked like a guy who tried to act like a star even though he had the skills of a scrub.

Steve Urkel · Post #9 » by **Steve Urkel** » Wed Dec 18, 2013 11:41 pm

Scrubjinca is back!