The defending Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks had just one draft pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. The Mavericks traded up from the 58th to the 51st overall pick to select Melvin Ajinca, a French small forward, and younger cousin of Alexis Ajinca, a former French center, in the second draft round. Like Alexis, Melvin had a connection to Dallas, Texas. Alexis previously played seven NBA seasons, including one season with the Mavericks in the 2010-11 NBA season, and was a part of the Mavericks’ first NBA championship in 2011. But Melvin’s stint in Dallas was short-lived, as he signed with a French club team on Tuesday.
Moreover, Melvin signed with the LDLC ASVEL of the LNB Elite on July 23, 2024. Melvin’s recent signing with the LDLC ASVEL might be a short-term situation, but we’ll see what happens. Read on for further details about his rather unexpected signing surrounding his native France.
Melvin Ajinca Makes History at the 2024 NBA Draft
The French invasion was in full force at the 2024 NBA Draft, and Melvin Ajinca was one of the five French professional basketball players selected during the NBA Draft. Ajinca was selected alongside fellow French big men Zacharie Risacher, Alex Sarr, Tidjane Salaun, and Pacome Dadiet. Ajinca was initially selected 51st overall by the New York Knicks but was later traded to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for draft rights to the 58th overall pick. He was on the Mavericks’ roster for the NBA 2K25 Summer League in Las Vegas, Nevada. He previously played for Saint-Quentin of the LNB Pro A from 2022-24.
Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison told NBA.com, “He’s 6-8, athletic, he can shoot, he’s a 3-and-d, he’s young — huge upside … We just like the way he plays.” Harrison’s comments were arguably accurate at the time, but the Mavericks’ overall plan for Ajinca appeared to fall apart as time went by. Ajinca struggled in three-point shooting during the Summer League games in Las Vegas and averaged just 7.2 points per game on 29.5% shooting from the field goal line.
Melvin Ajinca’s Struggles on the Court
Melvin Ajinca, 20, could be described as a prototypical 3-and-D wing, but his shooting struggles overpowered his magical ability to hit almost any type of shot from the perimeter. Ajinca’s struggles showed the Dallas Mavericks were probably correct in not signing him to a two-way contract and signing Spencer Dinwiddie to a one-year deal. France is known for consistently producing NBA talent, including Ajinca. But not many second-round draft picks become significant contributors for the NBA teams that drafted them, especially foreign players. Ajinca’s decision to play in France was good, if not great, as he shot just 31% from the three-point line before the Summer League.
Melvin Ajinca’s Future With the Dallas Mavericks
He possesses two-way value, but not right now. Ajinca can make off-ball movement shots to pull-up jumpers and everything in between, but he takes way too many jumpers, makes fewer shots, etc. Ajinca’s set to play professional basketball overseas so he can be more NBA-ready for the Dallas Mavericks shortly.
Ajinca is probably bummed that he didn’t make the NBA Opening Night roster, but he’s just 20 years young and has plenty of time to develop while improving his confidence. He could become a valuable part of the Mavericks’ rotation in the years to come, but he has to improve his game for the time being.
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