French Sharpshooter Could Shock Mavs Fans In Summer Roster Bid
As the Dallas Mavericks prepare for the 2025 Las Vegas Summer League, all eyes will naturally be on No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg making his professional debut. But don't sleep on another French talent who could steal some headlines: Melvin Ajinca, the Mavericks' 2024 second-round draft-and-stash prospect who spent this past season developing in Europe's top competition.
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After a full campaign with LDLC ASVEL in both the French LNB Pro A and the EuroLeague, the 6-foot-8 wing returns to Vegas with newfound confidence, improved skills, and a legitimate opportunity to prove he deserves a spot on Dallas's main roster.
When the Mavericks acquired Ajinca's draft rights from the New York Knicks on June 27, 2024 — one day after his 20th birthday — they knew they were getting a developmental prospect with intriguing upside. Rather than rushing him into the NBA, Dallas wisely let him continue to grow overseas with ASVEL, one of Europe's premier basketball programs.
The decision paid off. After struggling with efficiency in his initial Summer League stint (shooting just 29.5 percent from the field), Ajinca dramatically improved overseas, playing alongside veteran guards Theo Maledon and Paris Lee. He averaged 5.4 points and 1.2 rebounds in 14.4 minutes per game across 27 EuroLeague contests — modest stats that don't reflect the strides he made.
Most notably, Ajinca transformed his three-point shooting, hitting 42.7 percent from deep in EuroLeague play — a dramatic improvement from his previous numbers. His best performance came in December when he dropped 20 points against Paris, going 8-of-12 from the field with four three-pointers. Mavericks GM Nico Harrison pointed to Ajinca's age and overseas development plan as key factors. 'The beauty of his age and the fact that he is playing in Europe is that we can kind of figure it out,' Harrison said on draft night.
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That patience appears to be paying off. Several factors align to make Ajinca a prime breakout candidate this summer. For one, there's a family connection to the franchise — his cousin, Alexis Ajinca, played for Dallas during the 2010–11 season, giving Melvin familiarity with the organization and added motivation to carry on the family legacy.
More importantly, Ajinca's skill set fits today's NBA. At 6-foot-8 with above-average athleticism, he projects as a true '3-and-D' wing. According to Synergy Sports data from his pre-draft evaluations, Ajinca ranked in the 69th percentile in transition (1.20 points per possession) and shot 38.2 percent coming off screens — both elite indicators for a wing prospect.
Under assistant coach Josh Broghamer, who will lead the Mavericks' Summer League squad, Ajinca enters with realistic expectations and a clear set of goals. This time around, he brings not only confidence but a defined role. The Mavericks will look for shooting consistency, defensive versatility, and improved basketball IQ — all areas where his EuroLeague tape suggests real growth.
Ajinca's three-point efficiency will be tested against NBA-caliber athletes. At 6-foot-8, his defensive versatility is promising, and his year playing against seasoned European veterans could translate into better awareness and anticipation on both ends. He credits much of his improvement to learning alongside Maledon, who helped teach the nuances of spacing, ball movement, and quicker decision-making.
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With the Mavericks holding just one remaining two-way contract slot, Ajinca will face legitimate competition in Vegas. But his unique combination of size, shooting and seasoning makes him a strong candidate for that final spot. Dallas values developmental upside, and Ajinca fits the mold.
The Mavericks open Summer League play on July 10 against the Lakers at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN, with Ajinca expected to play meaningful minutes alongside Flagg and two-way signees Ryan Nembhard and Miles Kelly.
After a year of growth in Europe's pressure-cooker environment, Ajinca returns to Las Vegas as a transformed player. With improved shooting, better decision-making, and the confidence of having contributed at the highest level overseas, he's poised to be one of the summer's biggest shocks for fans. The cousin of a former Maverick might just become the breakout story of Dallas's Summer League run.
Related: Mavs' Official Summer League Roster and Schedule Announced
Related: ESPN Suggesting Dallas Mavericks Trade Cooper Flagg to Victor Wembanyama's San Antonio Spurs Still Rings False
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
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