Mavericks Trade for 51st Pick from Knicks to Acquire Melvin Ajinca in NBA Draft

The Dallas Mavericks acquire the 51st overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft using a trade with the New York Knicks, resulting in the addition of Melvin Ajinca.

Jan 3, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Portland Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin (left) and Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison (right) before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Portland Trail Blazers at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Mavericks entered the 2024 NBA Draft with only the 58th overall selection but used a trade with the New York Knicks to move up to acquire a prospect they sought in Melvin Ajinca.

The Mavericks traded draft rights to the 58th pick (Ariel Hukporti), draft rights to Petteri Koponen (30th overall pick in 2007), and cash consideration to the New York Knicks in exchange for draft rights to the 51st pick, which was used to select Ajinca.

Jan 3, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Portland Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin (left) and Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison (right) before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Portland Trail Blazers at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Ajinca, a 20-year-old wing from France, last played for Saint-Quentin Basket-Ball of the LNB Pro A. Last season, he played 30 games and averaged 9.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 0.5 steals in 25.2 minutes per game. He shot 37.7% from the floor, 32.3% from beyond the arc, and 81.5% on free throws.

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There are family ties to the NBA and the Mavericks that Ajinca holds. His cousin, Alexis, had a seven-year NBA career, including stops with the Charlotte Hornets, Dallas Mavericks, Toronto Raptors, and New Orleans Pelicans. He's currently coaching as an assistant with 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., who had become increasingly linked in trade rumors. Dallas must clear spending to unlock the non-taxpayer mid-level exception to use to re-sign Derrick Jones Jr.

The messaging from the Mavericks by general manager Nico Harrison during his media exit interview was to not expect much turnover with the team's rotation players. He described the "top seven or eight players" probably will not be involved in any deals.

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The Mavericks have remained focused on adding depth on the wing recently beyond the more established additions of Jones and P.J. Washington. Between using a draft night trade last year to acquire Olivier-Maxence Prosper and converting A.J. Lawson from a two-way contract to a standard deal, the team has built out some developmental options at that spot.

Stick with MavericksGameday for more coverage of the Dallas Mavericks throughout the NBA offseason and of Luka Doncic at the pre-Olympic qualifier tournament in Greece.

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