When the Dallas Mavericks couldn’t secure a victory in the 2024 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, they turned their attention to the 2024 NBA Draft, where they had just one pick. The Mavericks traded up from the 58th to the 51st spot to select Melvin Ajinca from France.
As Summer League approaches, Ajinca is among the rookies with a chance to make the Mavericks’ roster. However, if he fails to impress, it could signal a challenging summer for him.
Melvin Ajinca stands to lose millions at Summer League
The 6-foot-8 rookie played for Saint Quentin BB in the LNB Pro A league in France during the 2023-24 season, averaging 9.3 points per game. His standout 3-point shooting and lockdown defense caught attention, and the Mavericks needed a strong defender after their Finals loss.
Ajinca is also known for his aggressiveness in getting to the rim and willingness to take tough jump shots. So, what if he underperforms in the Summer League? Returning to France to further develop his game internationally wouldn’t be the worst outcome, but it could be disappointing for Ajinca. General manager Nico Harrison discussed the Mavericks’ plans for Ajinca based on the roster.
Drafting and stashing Ajinca could be crucial for his development, but not making the roster would prevent him from starting to earn big money. Securing a spot on the 15-man roster would net him millions, but a poor Summer League performance could send him back to Europe to continue his growth.
“The beauty of him being a European player is we have a lot of options, and I think both things are on the table,” Harrison said. “We don’t have many roster spots available.”
According to Harrison, a decent Summer League could see Ajinca become a two-way player, spending time in the G League with the Texas Legends. However, a strong performance could earn him a roster spot.
It’s crucial for a 20-year-old rookie like Ajinca to get as much playing time as possible in the NBA Summer League. If he secures a roster spot, the Mavericks have elite superstars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving who can help guide him and show what it takes to play in the NBA.
With the Summer League approaching, Ajinca has the potential to make the Mavericks’ roster in October. A good performance could lead to discussions about including him in the roster for the 2024-25 season.