Precious Achiuwa resigned, as the Knicks announced on Tuesday.
Given that there was virtually no free-agent market left, the move was widely anticipated. The Knicks’ main offseason acquisitions were virtually over with the acquisition of the Bronx native.
Although Achiuwa’s attorney Raymond Brothers told ESPN that the agreement was for one year and $6 million, the team did not disclose the exact terms of the pact.
Last season, Achiuwa and Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau both favored that the big man serve as Julius Randle’s backup power forward.
After being acquired on December 30, he averaged 7.6 points on 52.5 percent shooting, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 24.2 minutes across 49 games.
However, Mitchell Robinson will start the season after Isaiah Hartenstein, a dependable center, left for Oklahoma City in free agency.
The starting center for the Knicks will be Achiuwa. New York Post/Charles Wenzelberg
Robinson’s main backup at center will probably have to be the 6-foot-8, 243-pound Achiuwa, with Jericho Sims, who isn’t utilized much, in his shadow.
Achiuwa has relinquished his right to a Bird veto, as reported by The Athletic.
Achiuwa could normally prevent any trade by signing a one-year contract, but he has chosen not to accept that protection, thus he can now be dealt at a later time.
Achiuwa, 24, is essentially taking a chance on himself.
Achiuwa can reenter free agency in 2025, when more teams are anticipated to have salary-cap capacity to give him a stronger deal, and more playing time is there to be grasped.
After leaving his home country of Africa, Achiuwa attended Our Saviour Lutheran School in The Bronx and then St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark.
