The Knicks are taking a swing on another French wing.
As part of a wide-ranging four-team deal involving the Mavericks, Suns and Lakers that sent New York’s No. 24 pick to Los Angeles, the Knicks acquired the rights to Melvin Ajinca from Dallas.
The 6-foot-8 forward was selected No. 51 overall by the Knicks in 2024 before being dealt to the Mavericks on draft night as part of the trade that brought Ariel Hukporti to the Big Apple.
Now, after two more years overseas, Ajinca, who turns 22 on Friday, is a part of the franchise again.
Ajinca, who was touted for his shooting and 3-and-D potential during the draft process, averaged 6.0 points in 17.6 minutes per game during EuroLeague play last season for LDLC Asvel.
He first jumped onto the NBA radar during the 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup, where he averaged 19.3 points and helped lead France to the gold medal game.
In the deal for Ajinca, the Knicks also acquired the No. 47 pick in this week’s draft and four additional future second-round picks.
The Lakers used the No. 24 pick on Baylor guard Cameron Carr.
The Ajinca acquisition adds to what has become a growing collection of young French players for the Knicks.
In 2024, the Knicks selected Pacôme Dadiet with the 25th overall pick out of France. Dadiet has appeared in 47 games over two seasons as a developmental wing.
During last year’s draft, the Knicks took Mohamed Diawara in the late second round, a move that quickly paid dividends with the Paris native logging 69 games while averaging 3.6 points and shooting 37 percent from beyond the arc.
Diawara’s play earned him a multiyear deal worth more than $10 million with the Knicks earlier this week.
The Knicks’ main goal during draft was to trade off their draft picks to avoid going over the second apron with additional salaries for rookies.
So, there is no guarantee Ajinca will ever join the team but he has now appeared on their draft radar twice in three years.
