The Knicks opted not to extend a $6.3MM qualifying offer to Precious Achiuwa, league sources tell Fred Katz of The Athletic (Twitter link). The decision means the 24-year-old big man will be unrestricted when he enters free agency on Sunday.
New York hasn’t ruled out re-signing Achiuwa, Katz adds, but the team didn’t want to risk the possibility of having him quickly accept the QO, which would have affected its hard cap situation as it tries to work out the details of the trade to acquire Mikal Bridges from Brooklyn.
The Knicks acquired Achiuwa in late December as part of the OG Anunoby deal. He wound up playing a significant role amid long-term injuries to Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson and others. Achiuwa appeared in 49 games after the trade, making 18 starts and averaging 7.6 points and 7.2 rebounds in 24.2 minutes per night.
The Knicks have picked up their $2MM team option on Jericho Sims for next season, a source tells Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (Twitter link). The backup center still only has a $651K partial guarantee on his $2.09MM salary, with trigger dates in July and August. Sims, who has spent the past three seasons with New York, will be an unrestricted free agent next summer.
The team has declined DaQuan Jeffries‘ $2.5MM option, Katz tweets. Jeffries, who saw action in 17 games, will become an unrestricted free agent on Sunday.
The Knicks extended a qualifying offer to two-way forward Jacob Toppin, making him a restricted free agent, Katz tweets. However, two-way players Duane Washington Jr. and Charlie Brown Jr. did not receive QOs (Twitter links).
I am still hoping Precious comes back. I wonder if OG settled on 5 for 200 would guarantee IHART coming back. That extra money per year OG is getting may kill any chance of IHART coming back.
the knicks only have IHarts early bird rights, so they can only offer 4 yrs $72 mil max. all the other teams with cap space can offer much more. That’s why they might lose him
@arthur, I think you meant rebounds, not assists.
Hope they bring him back. Thought he was solid for what he was asked to do.
Precious will get an offer. Hopefully he will get to play for a contender
This move seems like Knicks . Are trying to find a way to sign IHart. I like Achiuwa as a backup to Randle. I hope we find a way to keep him.
I would say all teams looking for a PF. Should chk out Achiuwa. Bulls ??
Nope.bulls need IHart.
Achiuwa would be a perfect compliment on the Bulls.
If you’re a rebounding 4/5 they need him…lol
I think they bring him back for less.
@Ancient. That’s the hope but would he take less to stay in NY. I honestly don’t know what’s more important money or a chance at a ring. Probably each player is Different. I hope IHART and Precious taking less money is important
Since he hasn’t made that much in his career coupled with his age, I think it’s more likely he goes where the money and opportunity will be. But you never know.
I don’t think other teams will value him. Feels like Montrez Harrell when he was a FA.
Achuiwa to pacers, pels?
NYK should be able to resign PA as the backup 5, unless they find a way to keep both IH and Mitch. He’ll have to settle for a low salary – maybe 1/1 – since NYK would be able to pay him more next season. Up to him really. He’s not looking at the kind of $$ that IH is or may be.
We can use the taxpayer MLE, I imagine he’ll get an offer for that from someone
He is a Bull.And Hart is a clown
You ok bud? Lol
It’s early to be drunk
Its never too early
I would love for Precious to come back, he was a really good fit on the Knicks. He played well at the 4 or 5, although he’s an undersized 5. I hope there’s a way to bring him back, although I’d obviously rather Hartenstein come back. Both coming back is not a likely outcome.
I remember when some fans were complaining about the Knicks ONLY bringing in IHART, and telling them back then they were lucky to have him.
It’s nice to see his contributions being appreciated, and seeing that it seems like the fanbase really took to him during his time there.
He’s always been a very solid role player, and does exactly what he’s asked to do. He’s a perfect piece that any title contender needs on their roster and in their rotation.
I’m curious to see how much this guy commands in FA. It could be from vet min to 8-10m.