The Knicks have re-signed Precious Achiuwa, according to a team press release.
Achiuwa signed a one-year, $6MM contract, Fred Katz of The Athletic tweets. He qualified for a no-trade clause upon re-signing a one-year deal but agreed to give up that right, Katz adds (Twitter link).
Achiuwa became a free agent when the Knicks failed to extend him a $6.3MM qualifying offer. They wound up re-signing him for slightly less than that amount.
New York was motivated to pass on the qualifying offer because it may have affected its hard cap situation as it tried 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 and Mitchell Robinson, among 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.
Following the free agent departure of Isaiah Hartenstein, Achiuwa and Jericho Sims are the top options to back up Robinson.
Re-signing Achiuwa to a $6MM salary keeps the Knicks below the second tax apron, which represents their hard cap. His willingness to give up the no-trade clause could facilitate a deal down the road. As a first apron team, the Knicks are not allowed to acquire more salary than they send out in a trade. If they had re-signed him at a lower figure, it would have reduced the pool of players they could acquire for him.
New York now has 13 players on guaranteed standard contracts and another on a partial guarantee — Sims’ $2.1MM contract becomes guaranteed if he on the roster past Aug. 16, ESPN’s Bobby Marks notes (Twitter link).
Nice move
This was always the right move. He fits the system, he’s bought in, he knows his role. Let’s roll
Only one year? Thought they valued him? They must really have a thing for Mitch.
Probably mid level exception
He obviously prefers to get back on the market.
Glad to see him back. These rules are so backwards, however. It was best for the Knicks to pay him more than what they’d have preferred only because he’s a $6M trade piece instead of $4, let’s say. So he gets an extra $2M for example so they can trade for more. Bizarre.
OMG finally it’s about time. What took so long. Welcome back Precious. IHART still dead to me
Achiuwa’s qualifying offer was worth $6.3 million, and while New York has reportedly not ruled out re-signing him, it decided not to jeopardize its salary-cap situation by giving him the option to simply sign a one-year deal for that amount.
He’s earned it imo …. He’s Thibs guy 100%. Still can get better.
I love his game. He does what’s needed. Certainly a value signing.
Great move and a great price.
Did you see what RJ did against Australia. Giving players time to show. Only means you get this game. Too many here are quick to hate and bash.
Knicks are built to Contend. Year 5 of rebuild coming. I’d say Job Well Done ..
Yessir. RJ is him. Improved with raps and repping Canada.
Knicks don’t have any offensive centers….That’s there one weakness…. They need a back up big who can shoot, space floor, Davis Bertans, space the floor , no D….Knicks need a back up 4…
They space the floor by playing low post. Being able to pass the ball from the key or setting a pick/switch scenario is just as valuable as being able to shoot sometimes. I wish they would let Mitch cook in the post once in a while.
Why ???? this ain’t GS. We got plenty of shooters and offense. We need a rim Protector. A rebounder and a C who can go out on perimeter and defend. It’s a 2way sport. Catch up
Mitch is potentially the best offensive rebounder in the league. That is hugely valuable to a team’s offensive rating.
He got better at that cause IHart pushed him. Also at tapping offensive balls out. For second shots. IHart taught him that too. Imo if Mitch could put 76 gms in. His value will go way up.
I think Mitch was boarding those ORBs at a frantic pace before IHart. IHart just followed suit. Mitch started the boarding when he wasn’t getting his role on the offense. His putbacks and pass-dunks were his only source of points if he wasn’t rebounding or hitting the paint.
They didn’t have a backup shooting center last season. Why do they need one now?! Plus given confidence Achiuwa can shoot a bit(seen it when he was on the raptors).
If Bertans is the answer, I don’t want to know the question
Bertans on the court looks like the kid lost at the department store.
YEEEEeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssss ….
The BX in the house …….
I’m so glad he’s back. Imo he’s great backing up Randle. And can play small ball 5. Which Randle can’t. Yes Precious let’s go do this.
link to hoopsrumors.com
Nice move, I don’t like it from my sideline, but it’s a nice move
We need another C to deal with Embiid.
Leon Rose- “Look bruh, We don’t really want you but we’ll give you $6 million so we can trade you at the deadline”.
Good move, an obvious move.
Lost IHart and Mitchell plays just a portion of any season… need someone to crash the board off the bench.
In 19 mins a gm in SL. Hukporti (22yr old rookie C). Avg 8.4 pts and 7.2 rebs.
I have faith Thibs can work his magic here.
Good. It was always the most likely result, but the NYK felt they had to prioritize getting a traditional backup C, if possible, and Achiuwa had to consider his playing time in the event they did. NYK still has use of the Taxpayer MLE, and 1 more standard roster spot (I’m assuming McCullars is a 2-way). While I can’t see them signing a rotational C into the slot before the season, I wouldn’t be surprised if they figure out a way to use it to facilitate a trade down the line.
This was always going to be the right move. Don’t really need much offense from the 5, we need them to play D and rebound, and Precious does both of those things well. Just got to hope Mitch stays healthy, and we’re good to go. If not, Jericho Sims needs to toughen up real quick.
I’m resigned to hoping Jericho picks it up. Precious doesn’t have the ballast to play much at the 5
He was trying to play hard ball, but with the new CBA he lost leverage. This is a good signing because if things go well he can potentially get paid next year. If things don’t go well, he won’t be hard to move at the deadline.