The New York Knicks re-signed forward-center Precious Achiuwa to a one-year, $6 million contract on Tuesday.
Achiuwa came over alongside OG Anunoby in a trade with the Toronto Raptors last season, averaging 7.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game in New York. He will slot in as the primary backup behind Mitchell Robinson next season.
The Knicks needed to re-sign Achiuwa after losing Isaiah Hartenstein to the Oklahoma City Thunder in free agency. Hartenstein’s departure left a major gap at the center spot for the Knicks, and Achiuwa was the only logical option who wasn’t a minimum-contract player.
The deal should have no impact on Robinson, who was the subject of trade rumors before Hartenstein’s exit.
Robinson has spent his first six seasons with the Knicks after being selected in the second round of the 2018. He averaged 5.6 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in an injury-plagued 2023-24 campaign.
The 26-year-old has been a regular starter for most of the last four seasons but saw Hartenstein take over the role during the playoffs. When the Knicks lost Hartenstein in free agency, it seemed like a lock that Robinson would be back.
Robinson is who he is as a player, so the Knicks know what they’re getting. He will dunk off pick-and-rolls and offensive rebounds, catch lobs racing down the floor and play solid defense in the middle. Asking him to do anything else is essentially a nonstarter. Robinson is one of the worst free throw shooters in the NBA and doesn’t take shots outside the restricted area.
That’s perfectly fine if you’re looking for him to fill that exact role, and his contract is a value in the current NBA marketplace. He will make $14.3 million in 2024-25 and $13 million in 2025-26.
Robinson could even wind up signing an extension with the Knicks if he’s able to stay healthy.
As far as Achiuwa goes, he’s merely a fill-in off the bench and spot starter in case of injury to Robinson.
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