NBA Free Agency: Knicks chose Achiuwa for backup center role
The New York Knicks chose Precious Achiuwa for their backup center role after re-signing him on a one-year, USD6 million contract.
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KNICKS CHOSE ACHIUWA FOR BACKUP CENTER ROLE AFTER WAITING FOR MONTHS
The Knicks chose Achiuva for their backup center role after the team waited for several months.
Furthermore, the 24-year-old Nigerian big man waited after New York shopped around for a replacement for Isaiah Hartenstein.
Moreover, Hartenstain left the Knicks in free agency to sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau needed to lock in a reliable backup center role in his tight eight or nine-player rotation.
Mitchell Robinson is currently New York’s top big with the backup role to Hartenstein last year before he left.
On the other hand, Achiuwa may find some competition with fourth-year man Jericho Sims but the former has the upper hand so far.
ACHIUWA DELIVERS NUMBERS IF GIVEN MORE MINUTES
Moreover, Achiuwa has proven that he can deliver the numbers if he is given more minutes by Thibodeau.
In ten games, Achiuwa started with injuries sidelining Robinson, Hartenstein, and – to much earlier extent – Julius Randle.
Furthermore, the 6-foot-8 Nigerian forward-center averaged 14.3 points 10.3 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks on 56.1% shooting in those 10 games he started.
Achiuwa also managed to collect 13.3% of available offensive rebounds – which is on a level with Hartenstein – and 19.9% of defensive boards to top Robinson.
Additionally, Achiuwa also hit 36% on three-pointers on 156 attempts in a season in one stretch two seasons ago.
In Game 4 of New York’s playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, Achiuwa gave up several inches to Joel Embiid.
Yet, he managed to hold his own defensively. against the Sixers’ seven-foot All-Star and MVP, even blocking an Embiid three-point attempt in the fourth quarter.
KNICKS’ OFF-SEASON MOVES CAPPED WITH ACHIUWA RE-SIGNING
Furthermore, the Knicks capped their off-season moves by re-signing Achiuwa after getting busy with locking in their top players.
Moreover, New York worked a blockbuster trade to acquire Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets.
The Knicks then locked up starting point guard Jaylen Brunson, swingman OG Anunoby, and Thibodeau to new deals.
When Robinson and Hartenstein recovered from their injuries, Achiuwa’s minutes dwindled so as his numbers.
But with Hartenstein gone and Randle still uncertain regarding his fitness next season, the future’s bright for Achiuwa.
Sure, the Knicks still have until the trade deadline to shop around for big men options.
However, Achiuwa seems to be their man for the backup center job. For now.
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