By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
ASVEL Villeurbanne has agreed to a deal with former NBA center Alexis Ajinca for the remainder of the season, according to French website BeBasket. The contract doesn’t include an option for the next season when the ASVEL will compete in EuroLeague.
Per the report by BeBasket, Ajinca met with ASVEL president Tony Parker and his partner Nicolas Batum in Charlotte a month ago in order to discuss a potential deal.
Ajinca, 30, was waived by the L.A. Clippers in September after being traded for Wesley Johnson by the New Orleans Pelicans. The French center had missed the entirety of the 2017-2018 season due to a patellar tendon surgery.
In 2016-2017, the last season he saw some action, Ajinca averaged 5.3 points plus 4.9 rebounds over 15 minutes per game in 39 matches with the Pelicans.
If the deal becomes official, then Ajinca will compete in both EuroCup and the French League. Ajinca will return to France for the first time since 2013 when he played with Strasbourg.