Raptors Acquire Alexis Ajinca, 2nd Round Pick From Dallas

[Built Ford Tough]

STEIN_LINE_HQ Marc Stein

Sources say Mavs also close to separate trade w/TOR to send reserve center Alexis Ajinca to Raps for draft itemsf. All explained in story

 

 

I had a feeling that the Raptors would be potentially making a move after buying Peja out and freeing up a roster space in the process.

 

As for the trade (should it go down), I love it. The Raptors acquire another complete scrub. He will do great things for Tank Nation, should he even get any playing time.

 

Ryan Wolstat (from the Sun) has been Tweeting about this non-stop as well.

 

@STEIN_LINE_HQ #Raptors VP Maurizio Gherardini told us beat types he loved Ajinca during the draft workout process that year.

 

#Raptors badly need a 7-footer that can defend and block shots going forward. Ajinca has the size, but foul-prone, not far ahead of Alabi

 

#Raptors couldn't trade for Tyson Chandler, so ended up with poor man's version in Ajinca. We'll see what they gave up, maybe Miami pick

 

In the D-League: Ajinca, 13.7 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 2.7 BPG, .523 FG%, 24.9 MPG, 3 FPG. Alabi, 8.9PPG, 6.6 RPG, 2.6 BPG,.474, 22.0 MPG, 3.82 FPG

 

@Steeebo Thabeet probably would have cost more and has shown about as much as Ajinca ie. next to nothing. Raps have liked Ajinca for years

 

If Ajinca deal is indeed done, 4-of-15 #Raptors will now be from 2008 draft: Bayless, Ajinca, Dorsey, Weems.

 

EDIT: Trade is done.

 

Ajinca, meanwhile, will be dealt to the Raptors along with a 2013 second-round pick that Toronto had sent to Dallas in last year's draft in exchange for the rights to rookie center Solomon Alabi and cash considerations. In return, Dallas will receive the rights to 2007 second-round pick Georgios Printezis (who plays in Spain and is no longer considered an NBA prospect) and create a salary-cap exception equal to Ajinca's $1.5 million salary.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=6041580

 

So basically, the Raptors got him for the 2nd round pick that they traded for Alabi in last years draft and a player who will never play in the NBA. Not bad.

 

UPDATE: League is looking in the trade:

 

STEIN_LINE_HQ Marc Stein

Just filed to ESPN.com: Peja still Dallas-bound but Ajinca trade to Raps under league examination for cap compliance. Link on the way

 

Trade Completed

 

STEIN_LINE_HQ Marc Stein

League has formally approved Ajinca trade to Toronto. Which clears Mavs roster spot to sign Peja Stojakovic

Edited January 24, 2011 by Built Ford Tough

[Guest STL10]

Ajinca will be a good backup player someday.

[Built Ford Tough]

So the Raptors basically traded Peja for Ajinca and a 2nd.

 

I'm sure that it is no coincidence that the Raptors decided to buy Peja out today and just so happen to make a trade for a player who is on the team that Peja signed with.

 

The Raptors pretty much got Alabi and Ajinca for nothing, though. Not too bad. Neither of them are likely to ever amount to anything, but I like them taking a flyer on two project bigs when they don't actually have to give up anything for them.

[Nestle Snipes]

Good luck with Ajinca, I really hope it works out for him.

[Check my Stats]

Ajjinca was actually a pretty intriguing prospect prior to getting drafted. You can never have too many shot blockers as far as I am concerned.

[MainEv3nt]

thank u jesus hes off dallas now lol. all he wanna do is shoot and he sucks at shooting lol.

[Real Deal]

As for the trade (should it go down), I love it. The Raptors acquire another complete scrub. He will do great things for Tank Nation, should he even get any playing time.

 

Ajinca will shoot lights out for you guys this year.

 

Wherever you have lights, he's going to hit them.

[MainEv3nt]

now if only we can get rid of barea next

[The Truth]

so Dallas essentially acquired Tyson Chandler and Peja Stojakovic for Erick Dampier, Matt Carroll, and Eduardo Najera. Donnie Nelson deserves executive of the year.

[Built Ford Tough]

League is looking into this trade as salary cap circumvention:

 

STEIN_LINE_HQ Marc Stein

Just filed to ESPN.com: Peja still Dallas-bound but Ajinca trade to Raps under league examination for cap compliance. Link on the way

 

It definitely is an example of cap circumvention, but it would be complete BS if the league did anything about it considering how many times they have allowed a team to trade an expiring contract only to have the other team buy him out so that he can join his former team a month later. If they allow [expletive] like that to happen and not this, it shows huge hypocrisy on their part, at least as far as I am concerned.

 

To be honest, though, I don't care if the deal has the plugged pulled on it or not because I couldn't care less about acquiring Ajinca (I'm happier about them getting their 2nd round pick back more than him), but I think it would be absolutely hilarious if the league did rescind this trade.

[Built Ford Tough]

Trade is officially completed.

 

STEIN_LINE_HQ Marc Stein

League has formally approved Ajinca trade to Toronto. Which clears Mavs roster spot to sign Peja Stojakovic

 

Toronto should rename their team to the Toronto Scrubs.

 

I mean, good god, Alabi, Ajinca, Gaines, Kleiza, Wright and Trey Johnson (just signed him)?

 

I wanted a tank, but this is ridiculous.

[Check my Stats]

It is honestly impressive that the franchise is committed to an actual rebuild. No way am I complaining considering I was scared Rip Hamilton would be wearing a Raptors jersey by the deadline. This is an ownership group that I believed would rather win 30 games than 20, but they are proving me wrong. BC is clearly getting an extension if he is being allowed to lose like this.

Edited January 25, 2011 by Check my Stats

[Built Ford Tough]

Don't get me wrong, I love the fact that the team is actually rebuilding as well. My post above may have seemed like I was against this move or something, which isn't the case at all. I love the fact that this team is going through a legitimate rebuild. This should've happened after Carter was traded, so it is long overdue.

 

Even though Ajinca is a scrub, I like the pickup for the simple fact that the Raptors are now going to have a 2-3 month look at a former first round pick and it cost them absolutely nothing (Dallas is paying his contract, from what I believe). There is a 99% chance he completely sucks and won't be back with the team next year, but there is that 1% chance that he can actually show something worth keeping around. These are the kind of no risk/moderate reward moves that the Raptors should be making, and, for the most part, Colangelo has done a nice job of making these moves with this trade, the Wright/Beli trade and the Jack/Bayless trade.