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

[audiosway]

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.

Nah. The draft that late is for prospects. We are talking a guy in the rotation 4-5 years from now.

[juanc]

The more I watch Ajinca tape the more I like him. Great feet on defense, knows how to turn the hips, also looks like he has a very strong core, definetly an NBA level defender. Also very solid on closeouts. He was solid as a help side defender, makes solid reads on the weakside.

His ofensive game is badicaly his 3 point shot. A funky release, but showed some nice range on a solid volume(for european standards), but he doesn't really need anythink else.

[KillerLeft]

The more I watch Ajinca tape the more I like him. Great feet on defense, knows how to turn the hips, also looks like he has a very strong core, definetly an NBA level defender. Also very solid on closeouts. He was solid as a help side defender, makes solid reads on the weakside.

His ofensive game is badicaly his 3 point shot. A funky release, but showed some nice range on a solid volume(for european standards), but he doesn't really need anythink else.

What I like, whether he works out or not, is that the more action we see from Harrison, the more clear of a picture we get about the type of player he likes, and for my money, it's the right type.

[dirkfansince1998]

I'm honored @nyknicks, but I'm still going to honor my commitment with @spurs. Of course, a financially ridiculous offer could change things. + I got the new hip! I’m ready!

https://x.com/KoponenPetteri/status/1806582531468231025 



Cannot believe that the eternal Koponen is gone. Also didn't know that he retired two years ago.

[speedkilz88]

Melvin Ajinca SF
Hand L 8.50
Hand W 9.75
Barefoot 6' 7.25''
Standing Reach 8' 10.5''
Weight 213.8
Wingspan 6' 7.5''

https://www.nba.com/stats/draft/combine-...nYear=2024&dir=D&sort=HAND_LENGTH

Melvin Ajinca SF
Lane Agility 11.78
Shuttle Run 3.00
3/4 Sprint 3.38
Standing Vertical 26.5
Max Vertical 31.0

https://www.nba.com/stats/draft/combine-...ITION*E*SF&SeasonYear=2024&dir=D&sort=LANE_AGILITY_TIME

[dirkfansince1998]

Melvin Ajinca SF
Hand L 8.50
Hand W 9.75
Barefoot 6' 7.25''
Standing Reach 8' 10.5''
Weight 213.8
Wingspan 6' 7.5''

https://www.nba.com/stats/draft/combine-...nYear=2024&dir=D&sort=HAND_LENGTH

Melvin Ajinca SF
Lane Agility 11.78
Shuttle Run 3.00
3/4 Sprint 3.38
Standing Vertical 26.5
Max Vertical 31.0

https://www.nba.com/stats/draft/combine-...ITION*E*SF&SeasonYear=2024&dir=D&sort=LANE_AGILITY_TIME

That's not encouraging. Among the worst non bigs in all categories. But I guess he is one of the younger players in the draft class and needs some time to grow into his body.

[SleepingHero]

https://x.com/KoponenPetteri/status/1806582531468231025 



Cannot believe that the eternal Koponen is gone. Also didn't know that he retired two years ago.

I remember being all in on bringing Koponen over in 2012 when we were going bargain bin shopping. 

The Koponen pick really never was

[JamesConway912]

Never seem him play but he actually has a pretty nice track record. Very good performances at the Fiba youth world cup and played a big role in France moving up a division with his team if I understood correctly. That’s pretty darn good for a guy drafted this late.

I would not mind bringing him over right away but he’d play big minutes on a pro team he were to stay in Europe. Probably better for his development to just stay there for one more year.

They actually run stuff for him in the highlight clips I’ve watched. He’s tall for a guy who is used that way. Looks like a really good pickup that late, not hard to see why they had him relatively high on their board.

[juanc]

What I like, whether he works out or not, is that the more action we see from Harrison, the more clear of a picture we get about the type of player he likes, and for my money, it's the right type.

I agree with you. Guys who can really slide their feet on defense and have shooting upside. Nico knows we need defense and shooting next to Luka.

[KillerLeft]

I agree with you. Guys who can really slide their feet on defense and have shooting upside. Nico knows we need defense and shooting next to Luka.

And (I think this is implied by "defense" in your point, but I want to be explicit) unlike the Donnie/Cuban MO, the defense/shooting is coming in the form of long, athletic players.

[SleepingHero]

https://theswishtheory.com/2024-nba-draf.../06/the-t/

Great article w/videos on the stuff Ajinca does well.

He looks like a ready made NBA player in these clips, which makes me hopeful for his future.

[Jym]

https://theswishtheory.com/2024-nba-draf.../06/the-t/

Great article w/videos on the stuff Ajinca does well.

He looks like a ready made NBA player in these clips, which makes me hopeful for his future.

Would have been a lottery pick if his arms were longer and he could jump just a little higher
But I guess a lot of people can say that

[khaled1987]

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.

His FIBA performance looked amazing on both the score board and highlights, 2nd in scoring in the overall tournament as you mentioned, 2nd All tournament team as a guard, leading scorer in the final, some dribble and many step back 3's. He looks like an elite prospect in those.
Then you look at the measures and you feel underwhelmed. Looks like a guy with talent but not the physical profile. If his defense translates he will have a chance here.

[DallasMaverick]

His FIBA performance looked amazing on both the score board and highlights, 2nd in scoring in the overall tournament as you mentioned, 2nd All tournament team as a guard, leading scorer in the final, some dribble and many step back 3's. He looks like an elite prospect in those.
Then you look at the measures and you feel underwhelmed. Looks like a guy with talent but not the physical profile. If his defense translates he will have a chance here.

Kinda Desmond Bane-y?

[khaled1987]

Kinda Desmond Bane-y?

That is the hope