Pelicans' Ajinca pulled from EuroBasket due to Achilles pain

The French national basketball team took a hit Thursday, less than two weeks from their 2015 EuroBasket opener.

Center Alexis Ajinca has left the team and will not suit up for the Olympic qualifying tournament due to Achilles pain, France announced. The New Orleans Pelicans big man has been dealing with the pain since July, and while it hasn't gotten worse and an MRI revealed no structural damage, the Pelicans asked Ajinca to stop playing.

Disappointing though this may be for the French squad, the Pelicans are protecting what became a major investment this summer. Ajinca re-signed with the club on a four-year, $20-million deal to act as Omer Asik's backup and help space the floor around superstar Anthony Davis.

That's an above-market deal for someone who averaged 14.1 minutes last season - especially since Davis is also expected to see time at the five - but New Orleans made a clear commitment to retaining talent this offseason. The franchise is entering a pivotal season, its first under head coach Alvin Gentry, and Ajinca's scoring and offensive rebounding off the bench should prove valuable.

In 2014-15, Ajinca averaged a career-high 6.5 points on 55 percent shooting, adding 4.6 rebounds and 0.8 blocks for good measure. Pelicans lineups that included Ajinca and Davis together outscored opponents by 8.9 points per 100 possessions.