sports
Knicks Acquire Rights to French Forward Melvin Ajinca in Draft Trade
The Knicks obtained the rights to 21-year-old forward Melvin Ajinca and the No. 47 pick along with four future second-round selections. Ajinca, who turns 22 on Friday, previously appeared on the team's draft board in 2024.
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The Knicks acquired the rights to forward Melvin Ajinca and additional draft assets in a four-team trade that sent the team's No. 24 pick elsewhere. Ajinca, selected by the Knicks at No. 51 overall in 2024 before being sent out on draft night, returns to the organization after two seasons overseas. The 6-foot-8 player averaged 6.0 points in 17.6 minutes per game last season in EuroLeague play.
Ajinca first drew NBA attention at the 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup, where he averaged 19.3 points and helped France reach the gold medal game. He was noted during the draft process for his shooting and defensive potential. The trade also brought the No. 47 pick in this week's draft and four future second-round picks to the Knicks.
The move adds to the Knicks' group of young French players. In 2024 the team selected Pacôme Dadiet at No. 25 overall; Dadiet has appeared in 47 games over two seasons. Last year the Knicks drafted Mohamed Diawara in the late second round. Diawara played 69 games, averaged 3.6 points, and shot 37 percent from three-point range, earning a multiyear contract worth more than $10 million earlier this week.
The Knicks aimed to move draft picks to stay under the second apron salary threshold, leaving no immediate guarantee that Ajinca will join the roster.
