TRADE: #51 Melvin Ajinca to DAL | #58 to NYK

[KillerLeft]

So it was 51 for 58

Oh, ok. Good.

[SleepingHero]

WAIT A SEC

Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon)
Mavs gave up cash considerations to Knicks to move up to the No. 51 pick (French F Melvin Ajinca), source said.

[SleepingHero]

Maybe the Mavs kept #58???

[MarkAguirreWrathofGod]

Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)
New York is selecting Ariel Hukporti at No. 58, sources say. https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/

I read that as Hawk Tuah at first. Would’ve been a classic Cuban move if he was still the decider to take her.

[KillerLeft]

Maybe the Mavs kept #58???

Nah, he said "to move up to" and NY was announced as the team making the pick somewhere. 

It was 58 plus cash for 51. Totally cool deal with me because the asset pile didn't change, and if it was worth paying, Harrison probably wanted this guy. 

HUSAH!

[SleepingHero]

Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth)
The Dallas Mavericks traded the 58th pick and cash considerations to the New York Knicks to move up to the 51st pick, which was used to select Melvin Ajinca. @espn_macmahon reported the details.

[Mavs2021]

I also feel picking in the last spot of the draft kinda sucks. Imagine you pick one guy with the last pick and then you try to convince the undrafted guys to join you on a two-way contract. If you like me so much, why did you not take me with the last pick. You could have locked me up. Bye.

[SleepingHero]

Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer)
Clarity on Mavericks-Knicks trade: Dallas sent No. 58, cash, and the draft rights to a player to New York for No. 51, per sources, allowing the Mavericks to secure Melvin Ajinca.

[Chicagojk]

So it looks like he is 6’7 with a 6’7 wingspan.

Too bad Kam is no longer around.

[SleepingHero]

Is it bad to say that I'd be surprised if he played a minute in the NBA?

[khaled1987]

I also feel picking in the last spot of the draft kinda sucks. Imagine you pick one guy with the last pick and then you try to convince the undrafted guys to join you on a two-way contract. If you like me so much, why did you not take me with the last pick. You could have locked me up. Bye.

Is there is a real advantage for being selected in 2nd round over being undrafted? 
I mean for a player and agent, they have a vit of freedom to seek best option for development, rather than pettiness

[Moviemavguy]

Cash considerations. The good ole days.

[audiosway]

Nah, he said "to move up to" and NY was announced as the team making the pick somewhere. 

It was 58 plus cash for 51. Totally cool deal with me because the asset pile didn't change, and if it was worth paying, Harrison probably wanted this guy. 

HUSAH!

Everything I'm seeing is great on this guy. I see why Nico liked him. He is projected by some scouts to be a rotation piece as his floor. His ceiling is higher than role playing starter.

https://www.nba.com/draft/2024/prospects/melvin-ajinca

He is 6'8" and can shoot out to 3. Good finisher around the rim. Willing and good defender. Based on him having an 8'10" standing reach that should put him close to a 7 foot wingspan.

[MarkAguirreWrathofGod]

So it looks like he is 6’7 with a 6’7 wingspan.

Too bad Kam is no longer around.

Shane Larkin says hello. Vocally. Because his hummingbird-esque wingspan is not visible to the naked eye.

[audiosway]

So it looks like he is 6’7 with a 6’7 wingspan.

Too bad Kam is no longer around.

That would make him a perfect square. lol.

[Chicagojk]

Looks like he just turned 20 yesterday. I hope we can keep him overseas rather than play in the G-league. It will probably be better for his develop. Maybe a year or two he may be ready to come over. Or maybe not. Either way, I like taking a gamble on a younger guy who will play overseas.

[Chicagojk]

Givony had him at 48, Vecenie 57 and O'conner 44, Hollinger 56,


So I guess it is safe to say he was the steal of the draft.

[speedkilz88]

So it looks like he is 6’7 with a 6’7 wingspan.

Too bad Kam is no longer around.

Where are those numbers coming from?  I saw a tweet from a fan saying this as well but can't find any actual information on his physical measurements.

[LukaMVP]

dude has the potential but he ain't getting minutes imho. even if we are shorthanded after making a big trade and have to sign him to fill up the roster, he would be the last 2-3 guys on the roster.

[SleepingHero]

Mark Followill (@MFollowill)
Some notes on Melvin Ajinca, taken by the Mavs at 51 on Thursday in the NBA Draft:

Turned 20 years old Wednesday...cousin of former Mavs center Alexis Ajinca.

Mock draft spots for reference: ESPN (47), The Athletic (48), The Ringer (50), Bleacher Report (44), Yahoo (58), NetScouts (39), NBA Draft Room (53), NBA Draft Net (37)

In int'l competition - 2nd overall in scoring at 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup for silver medalist France at 19.3 ppg in 7 games. Shot 53% FG, 49% on 3s, 83% FT. Had 18 pts in SF win vs USA. On same team, Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr avg 7.4 ppg, FWIW.

Club level - in 22-23 helped Saint-Quentin earn promotion from 2nd division to top flight in France. Played 33 of 34 games on team that went 25-9. 8.5 ppg & shot 39.4% on 3s. 61% of shots were 3s. Voted best young player in French 2nd Division.

In 23-24 played 30 reg season and playoff games in top flight for Saint-Quentin. 9.5 ppg & shot 32.3% on 3s (missed some games w/ sternum injury). 66% of FGA were 3s. 4 games 15+ pts, 1 double-double, season highs -
19P/12R/4A/3S.

Combine notes: 31 inch max vertical...wingspan, not negative as reported by some but barely positive. Height 6'7.25", wingspan 6'7.5". Weight 213.8 lbs.