Alexis Ajinca

Ajinca spent the 2014-2015 season in and out of the Pelicans' rotation but ultimately played in a career-high 68 games for former head coach Monty Williams. In 14 minutes per game, Ajinca averaged 6.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks while shooting 55 percent from the field. He also shot 82 percent from the charity stripe, a particularly good number for a 7-foot-2 center. Ajinca wasn't a big part of the Pelicans' rotation in the playoffs last season, but after the new regime handed him a four-year, $20 million deal this offseason, it appears as if the French import will be a key piece of the Pelicans' second unit at least at the start of the season. Even with his shiny new contract, the sixth-year man will be fighting with Omer Asik, Ryan Anderson, and Dante Cunningham for minutes in the frontcourt next to Anthony Davis.

Ajinca's second season in New Orleans will be his fifth in the NBA, having played two seasons abroad in 2011-12 and 2012-13. The Frenchman played in 56 games for the injury-riddled Pelicans last year, averaging 5.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.4 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 17 minutes per game. Ajinca also provided solid percentages, shooting 55 percent from the field and 84 percent from the free-throw line. Although Ajinca made 30 starts for the Pelicans last year, he played the exact same minutes per game as a starter as he did off the bench, and he actually fared worse as a starter than he did off the bench. The center decided against playing for France in the World Cup this summer to better prepare for the upcoming NBA season, but he still faces a few obstacles to gaining playing time. Newly acquired center Omer Asik will be the team's starting center, and a healthy Ryan Anderson will take most of the backup frontcourt minutes off the bench. Ajinca will also have to fend off second-year center Jeff Withey and rookie Patric Young, both of whom will be fighting for minutes this season. If pressed into service, Ajinca can be a source of modest points, rebounds, and blocked shots.

Like Mahinmi, Ajinca has done little to impress in his two seasons in the NBA. He missed a large potion of last season with a thumb injury before being included in the trade that brought Chandler to Dallas. The Mavericks have reportedly been shopping Ajinca around and he remains a likely candidate to be traded or cut.

This will be Ajinca's second year in the NBA. He is a long, athletic seven-footer who could see minutes at power forward and even play next to Chandler when the Bobcats want to go big. He averaged under six minutes per game in just 31 games last season but those numbers could increase slightly this year.

The 20-year-old Ajinca is very skilled with a long wingspan and runs the court, but his body is not ready to play center in the NBA. He suffered a couple of minor injuries during summer league play, but should be ready to start training camp. He’ll end up in the D-League this season, and quite possible the next one, too.

Signed a rookie contract with the Bobcats in July of 2008.