He’s not much of a scoring or shooting threat, but Al-Farouq Aminu did enough last season to impress his own team, the Dallas Mavericks, and others to gain himself a nice, long list of suitors: The New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto Raptors and New Orleans Pelicans.
Aminu, 24, averaged 5.6 points and 4.6 rebounds in 18.5 minutes per game. However, the American-Nigerian small forward does more than just put up numbers. His defense (can guard three positions) and athleticism make him quite a useful addition off the bench which Carlisle made more and more use of later in the season.
Aminu played for the Pelicans in the past (two seasons), even starting 71 games for them in 2012-2013. They are the only team on his list of suitors that isn’t going after one of the big name free agents, which might give them and edge.
The rest are all hoping to sign LaMarcus Aldridge or Kevin Love, making them focus their attention on the big move which might give time for the Pelicans to seal the move quickly.
Aminu has expressed his desire to stick around in Dallas a while longer, but words said to the media don’t mean much during this time of year, so it won’t be surprising to see him play for someone else next season.