By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Alexis Ajinca is leaving Strasbourg at the end of Euroleague’s regular season and he is ready to return to the NBA. The French center who was rumored to be a target of many top Euroleague teams and his club have reached a verbal agreement with the New Orleans Pelicans as it was officially announced after the road defeat by Nancy (80-69) for the 11th game day of French ProA league. It was not a secret that Ajinca’s personal goal since his return to France in January 2012 was to return in the NBA and his contract included a buy out clause in case of an offer from the States.
After winning the gold medal with the French national team in the recent Eurobasket and some great nights in a Euroleague – despite his teams’ mediocre results – New Orleans decided to give him a contract. Martial Bellon, the president of Strasbourg who recently denied the rumors about the possible departure of the player for any other European team explained: “I am sorry that Alexis is leaving, but we can’t keep a player who wants to go. We didn’t expected that he will be leaving for the NBA during the season. We asked an important buy out and New Orleans accepted it”. Pelicans are expected to pay 500.000 USD to Strasbourg in order to get the player.
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