The New York Knicks have secured the return of big man Precious Achiuwa, as the team announced on Tuesday. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Achiuwa has signed a one-year contract valued at $6 million. Notably, Achiuwa has agreed to waive his no-trade clause, a detail first reported by Ian Begley of SNY.
Achiuwa’s re-signing has become increasingly important for the Knicks, especially following Isaiah Hartenstein’s move to the Oklahoma City Thunder. While there were other teams reportedly interested in Achiuwa, the Knicks were able to finalize the deal.
Financially, this contract is advantageous for New York. As of now, the Knicks are $7.6 million below the second apron threshold, which means they are still within the league’s hard cap, as highlighted by ESPN’s Bobby Marks. Precious Achiuwa deal provides the Knicks with flexibility—if he performs well, he could be a valuable asset for the team. However, if his contributions are limited, his expiring contract can be paired with another player to facilitate a larger trade, potentially in the $10-12 million range.
The option for future trades is preserved by Achiuwa’s decision to waive his right to veto any trades, a right typically retained by players on one-year contracts. This move indicates that the Knicks could be active in the trade market as the February deadline approaches. Achiuwa, who played a crucial role for the Knicks during a period of significant injuries last season, now has the opportunity to solidify his position as a reliable backup center on a team with championship aspirations.
Looking ahead, Julius Randle remains a possible trade candidate as well. For now, though, the Knicks appear to be serious contenders. Under the leadership of Leon Rose, the Knicks have had an impressive offseason. The acquisitions of Mikal Bridges and the re-signing of OG Anunoby, along with the team-friendly deal with Jalen Brunson, have positioned the Knicks for potential deep playoff runs in the coming years.
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