Cleveland Cavaliers: Top 5 Trade Targets That Fit Into Their Reduced Trade Exception

Alexis Ajinca

Alexis Ajinca is frustrated with his role in New Orleans after working hard in the offseason to get himself in shape and having earned a couple of starts along the way. Unfortunately for Ajinca, the Pelicans are starting Anthony Davis at center while Omer Asik is the first center off the bench. Now, Ajinca barely plays and that’s a stark contrast to what he had expected after starting beside Davis just a couple of weeks ago.

Ajinca is a big who can stretch the floor (shooting 50.0 percent on jumpers 10-16 feet away this season) and protect the rim (1.8 blocks per 36 minutes) but he doesn’t have the motor that the Cavs would want, nor is he a defensive anchor who tries to communicate and direct traffic. He’ll get his team some points, rebounds and alter a few shots at the rim but he’s not going to dive on the floor for loose balls.

Ajinca also is too stiff and flat-footed when switched onto a perimeter player. Nonetheless, he does run the court well and would be a solid option as a big who thrives in transition. He makes 66.7 percent of his shot attempts around the rim.