Raptors appear ready to acquire Alexis Ajinca

Thursday, I gave little rip job to Bryan Colangelo, who gave up on the expiring contract of Peja Stojakovic more than a month before the trade deadline, seemingly more than a month before he had to.

But as the details emerge, it turns out Colangelo made a nifty little move, acquiring the sort of asset that I'd hoped he'd pull in with Peja's deal a month from now. In one of those not-a-deal-technically-but-really-a-deal, the Raptors have taken in a verbal agreement from Stojakovic that has him signing with the Dallas Mavericks following his buyout and release from Toronto. As a bon mot, Dallas is likely going to send athletic center Alexis Ajinca and a second-round pick to the Raptors for the draft rights to Georgios Printezis, which (according to Rob Mahoney) also gives the Mavericks their own trade exception.

Ajinca's no sure thing, and Charlotte owner Michael Jordan took in a fair bit of criticism for drafting the 7-foot French big man a few years ago, but he does have raw talent. And in limited minutes this season, he's played passably well for the Mavericks. Toronto, a team that probably isn't going anywhere, would be well served to try out Ajinca, to see if he's worth taking a flyer on. Especially as the team leads the NBA in points given up in the paint.

Oscar Robertson David Robinson Bill Russell Dolph Schayes Bill Sharman