By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Alexis Ajinca is a hot name right now in Euroleague transfer rumors, however the big question about him is if he will enter the market, since he has a contract with Strasbourg. At this point, the answer is no.
As the president of the French club Martial Bellon said to the latest “Basket Hebdo” issue – the recently revamped French basketball magazine and one of the traditional basketball publication in Europe – which will be on sale tomorrow across France: “Ajinca will not leave Strasbourg. I am the decision maker on that”. Bellon is not just trying to increase his player’s value – something that can’t be excluded – but he knows exactly what he is saying.
According to our sources, Ajinca’s contract doesn’t include any buy out option for Europe. That means he can’t opt out of his contract by bringing a certain amount of money to the team, but only be released in order to sign elsewhere if Strasbourg decides so. At least five Euroleague teams expressed their initial interest about the player, but no offer has been made yet. Plus, Strasbourg European season will continue in Eurocup and the team doesn’t need any kind of financial help. Simply put, the club can afford Ajinca and doesn’t need to sell him, like for example Siena wants to do with Hackett in case of missing the Top16.