Fansided

New Orleans Pelicans agree with Alexis Ajinca

By Andrew Melnick

Nov 8, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans mascot Pierre the Pelican during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at New Orleans Arena. The Pelicans defeated the Lakers 96-85. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans mascot Pierre the Pelican during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at New Orleans Arena. The Pelicans defeated the Lakers 96-85. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 8, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans mascot Pierre the Pelican during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at New Orleans Arena. The Pelicans defeated the Lakers 96-85. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans mascot Pierre the Pelican during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at New Orleans Arena. The Pelicans defeated the Lakers 96-85. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

The New Orleans Pelicans agreed to a deal with former first round pick Alexis Ajinca on Friday.

Ajinca, a 7’2 center from France, was the 20th overall pick of the 2008 draft by the Charlotte Bobcats.

Ajina spent two seasons with Charlotte and then split his next season between the Dallas Mavericks  and Toronto Raptors.

John Reid of Nola.com first reported the news.

"Ajinca was able to work out a buyout agreement with his Euro League team, Strasbourg. before agreeing to the Pelicans’ deal. He was the 20th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Bobcats, who eventually traded him to the Dallas Mavericks before the 2010-11 season. He played only a half season with the Mavericks before he was traded to the Toronto Raptors."

The Pelicans are without Greg Stiemsma, so depth is a little thin behind Anthony Davis and Ryan Anderson.

Ajinca has been playing with SIG Strasbourg since late in 2011.

Ajinca averaged just 3.1 points and 1.6 rebounds in 7.8 minutes per game, playing in just 71 games in his NBA career.

Ajinca has not played in the NBA since 2011.

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