Mavericks Trade for 51st Pick to Acquire Melvin Ajinca in NBA Draft
The Dallas Mavericks moved up in the 2024 NBA Draft by trading with the New York Knicks to secure the 51st overall pick, allowing them to acquire Melvin Ajinca. Initially holding the 58th pick, the Mavericks traded this pick along with cash considerations to the Knicks for the 51st pick. Ajinca, a 20-year-old wing from France, last played for Saint-Quentin Basket-Ball in the LNB Pro A, where he averaged 9.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.8 assists over 28 games, shooting 37.5% from the floor, 30.9% from three-point range, and 79.7% from the free-throw line.
Ajinca has family ties to the NBA and the Mavericks; his cousin, Alexis Ajinca, had a seven-year NBA career with the Charlotte Hornets, Dallas Mavericks, Toronto Raptors, and New Orleans Pelicans, and currently serves as an assistant coach for the Capital City Go-Go, the Washington Wizards’ G League affiliate.
The Mavericks did not trade any contracts during the draft, including Tim Hardaway Jr., despite trade rumors. Dallas needs to clear cap space to unlock the non-taxpayer mid-level exception to re-sign Derrick Jones Jr.
Mavericks’ general manager Nico Harrison indicated during his media exit interview that there would likely be little turnover among the team’s top rotation players, stating that the “top seven or eight players” are unlikely to be involved in trades. The team has focused on adding depth on the wing, supplementing established players like Jones and P.J. Washington with developmental options such as Olivier-Maxence Prosper and A.J. Lawson, who was converted from a two-way contract to a standard deal.
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