For whatever reason in the last 2 years I've caught almost as many Pelicans games as I have Celtics. I started mostly by sifting through Anthony Davis minutes but over time I've come to really gain an appreciation for his backup, Alexis Ajinca.
Against The Heat with Davis sidelined with his shoulder Ajinca was able to step in and provide a presence that The Heat, including recent emerging Center Hassan Whiteside, couldn't handle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdkiMIoJzfMAjinca is massive. Around the time he was drafted, he was viewed as a player who might do some good things by accident due to his immense height and length but will mostly just drift around the 3 point line and get bullied by more physical 4s and 5s. The player he's turning into now is still amongst the tallest trees in the league but a player who moves with purpose and shoots with confidence. You really would have a hard time finding a better backup for AD.
Could he be a future player to target? He may be growing too big for a backup bench role would step onto our roster as the tallest player, and due to his status late bloomer he may still have room to develop as a player He's got the size and game of a more modern, quick playing pick and pop Center.
He's also speaks English fluently and sees a mental coach to help him develop a better approach to the game.
http://videos.nola.com/times-picayune/2015/01/alexis_ajinca_talks_having_a_m.html (Poor Quality Vid)
Ajinca's 26 years old, unrestricted this summer, and coming off 2 years at the league minimum. It's possible the situation could devolve into one similar to Gortat behind Dwight where he could be searching for a role too big for The Pelican's to provide.
Any thoughts on Alexis Ajinca? Would the Pelicans let him go? Could he be good enough to justify taking minutes over Zeller/Olynyk/Jerebko? Could he provide, cliche a term as many around here find it to be, Rim Protection?