When Ajinca spoke in New Orleans’ locker room before Monday night’s game against Phoenix, he had not played in 11 straight games and had played only once – for three minutes – in the previous 19 contests. “I don’t care where I’m going, as long as I’m playing,” said the 29-year-old Ajinca, who is in the second season of a four-year, $20.2 million contract with New Orleans. “The contract is good, but at the end of the day, I’m a competitor and I just want to play and be able to bring what I can to a team. If it’s here, it would be great. But if it’s not, then I just go somewhere else.”
More on Alexis Ajinca Trade
In the meantime, Ajinca said he is focused on supporting his current teammates and not allowing his frustration over not playing to get the best of him. “I’m just being professional, doing what I’m supposed to do,” Ajinca said, noting that he’d gone through his usual pre-game routine on the court. “If I play today, maybe I won’t have to run after the game. If I don’t play, then I will have to run after the game and get my lift in. “I can’t control what (the Pelicans) want to do,” Ajinca said. “I only care about what I can control – my health and the fact that I can stay in shape.”
When Ajinca spoke in New Orleans' locker room before Monday night's game against Phoenix, he had not played in 11 straight games and had played only once — for three minutes — in the previous 19 contests. "I don't care where I'm going, as long as I'm playing," said the 29-year-old Ajinca, who is in the second season of a four-year, $20.2 million contract with New Orleans. "The contract is good, but at the end of the day, I'm a competitor and I just want to play and be able to bring what I can to a team. If it's here, it would be great. But if it's not, then I just go somewhere else."
Justin Verrier: Can confirm reports that Sixers-Pels talk centers around Alexis Ajinca and a 2018 first-round pick, per a source.
Sam Amick: As story states, Pelicans want lottery protection for the 1st rounder that they would give Philly for Jahlil Okafor. http://usat.ly/2kGwrWH
Philadelphia, sources said, is seeking at least one future first-round pick in exchange for Okafor, who was selected No. 3 overall in the 2015 draft but has been on the trading block for months -- along with fellow Sixers center Nerlens Noel -- as a result of the Sixers' glut of big men.
The New Orleans Pelicans are trying to bolster their frontcourt and are in advanced talks with the Philadelphia 76ers to acquire big man Jahlil Okafor, according to league sources. Sources told ESPN.com that the teams were still negotiating Monday in an attempt to complete the trade.
Michael Scotto: 76ers & Pelicans discussing a Jahlil Okafor trade for Alexis Ajinca & a 2018 protected 1st rounder, league sources told Basketball Insiders.
The Sixers are in deep talks to send forward-center Jahlil Okafor to the Pelicans, a source told @theundefeated. New Orleans could send center Alex Ajinca and a future 1st rounder back.
Justin Verrier: Despite expressing frustration over his role to French newspaper L'Equipe, Alexis Ajinca tells ESPN that he hasn't asked to be traded,
Before the Pelicans faced the Knicks inside Madison Square Garden Monday night, Alexis Ajinca publicly voiced his frustrations about his current situation to a French publication, à L’Equipe. To sum it up, the 4-year player for New Orleans no longer believes he has a future with the team and would prefer to be included in a trade to continue his career elsewhere.
