Pelica Debrief
Fansided

Six New Orleans Pelicans to watch in the final nine games of the season.

By Rick Stone

facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next

Mar 4, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Alexis Ajinca (42) dunks against the Detroit Pistons during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Pistons 88-85. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Alexis Ajinca

Speaking of centers looking to cash in on a big contract year, there is also Alexis Ajinca. The biggest beneficiary to the injuries in the Pelicans front court this season has been Ajinca. He’s put up 6.9 points per game, a whole 1.7 above his career average along with 4.9 rebounds per game, over a whole rebound above his career average. 

Live Feed

NBA rumors: Blazers, Lillard prepare to start season together, Trey Murphy injury update, Tatum on Cooper Flagg
NBA rumors: Blazers, Lillard prepare to start season together, Trey Murphy injury update, Tatum on Cooper Flagg /

FanSided

  • NBA rumors: Tatum recruited Lillard, Ingram benching explained, Cuban says the quiet part loud FanSided
  • Grade the Trade: Blazers take no-brainer swing in proposed Lillard deal Rip City Project
  • 3 teams who should be prepping trade offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo FanSided
  • The Whiteboard: Paolo Banchero shows small ball upside at FIBA World Cup FanSided
  • Pelicans projected lineup and rotations heading into 2023-24 season FanSided

    • There have even been a few games where Ajinca has carried the team to big wins that have kept them around the chase for the eighth seed. In the game against the Toronto Raptors on January 18th, Ajinca put up 22 points on 10-13 shooting along with six rebounds to help the Pelicans get a huge win on the road against one of the East’s elite teams 95-93.

    His other fantastic performance was against the Miami Heat on February 27th, where Ajinca put up a season high 24 points on 9-10 shooting along with eight rebounds and three blocks to help the Pelicans win at home without Jrue Holiday, Ryan Anderson or Anthony Davis. Combine that with five double-double games this season and his numbers have stood out. His offensive game has been superb with his ability to get the ball where he’s comfortable and convert on a consistent basis.

    With his contract expiring, things could get tricky for the Pelicans. Ajinca has gone from a smaller salary type player to someone who could demand up to $5 million per year in his next deal. This could very well put the Pelicans in a position where they have to decide between keeping Asik or Ajinca, since their available cap space is limited this offseason.

    Even though Ajinca has outplayed expectations this season, these final nine games could make it even sweeter. If Ajinca can continue to put up those kind of numbers while helping the Pelicans make one more final push for the playoffs, his deal could increase even more, perhaps even getting him a starting role somewhere in the NBA.

    Next: Quincy Pondexter firing away

    Home/Pelicans News