Knicks forward Precious Achiuwa has impressed in the midst of several injuries to key players like Julius Randle, starting 18 straight games and averaging 12.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.8 blocks per night. He returned to the bench as the team got healthier on Tuesday, but remained productive, registering 12 points, eight boards and two blocks against Philadelphia.
As observed by Newsday’s Steve Popper (subscriber link) and as we previously noted, it’s been a pleasant homecoming for Achiuwa, who moved to New York from Nigeria in eighth grade and played some high school ball there.
“It was a very, very cool moment for me,” Achiuwa said. “Inner city kid, growing up in the city, of course, hearing about the Knicks, seeing the games and stuff. Now, being able to represent the city on that platform is really huge. Seeing how the city accepted me and just me being there in that particular moment was very nostalgic in a way. It was a crazy moment for sure.
“This is the best I’ve played in a really really long time.”
While Achiuwa’s play is exciting, Stefan Bondy of the New York Post writes New York may soon have a difficult decision to make. Achiuwa’s a restricted free agent this offseason and while his current projected $8-10MM valuation is more than reasonable for his production, Mitchell Robinson, due $14.3MM next season, is under contract. Additionally, Isaiah Hartenstein, who has taken over the starting job in the wake of Robinson’s injury, will become an unrestricted free agent.
Assuming the Knicks re-sign OG Anunoby, bringing back both Hartenstein – who could get a contract with an annual value around $13-14MM – and Achiuwa would send New York into the luxury tax, Bondy observes. While those salary projections seem safe for now, Bondy writes, it’s possible each Hartenstein and Achiuwa get more money than expected in a relatively weak frontcourt free agent class.
We have more from the Atlantic Division:
- Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau defied his own trend of playing one lead guard, two wings, a power forward and a center when he transitioned to a position-less lineup in Anunoby’s return, Bondy writes in a member-only New York Post article. As Bondy observes, Anunoby played alongside Josh Hart in the starting lineup, and that duo has the NBA’s best net rating among two players with at least 241 minutes together (+37.7). “I like that versatility, and we thought that was one of the big reasons why we wanted OG, was what he would bring to the team,” Thibodeau said. “So I think it’s a huge plus for us.“
- Kristaps Porzingis missed his fourth straight game for the Celtics on Thursday, but head coach Joe Mazzulla gave a promising update on the star before the game, according to MassLive’s Brian Robb. “He’s progressing well,” Mazzulla said. “He was on the court today earlier, just working out with the guys. Don’t have an official timeline, but he’s getting better and better.“
- Boston’s starters have gotten plenty of credit for the Celtics‘ success this season, but the bench has played a pivotal, yet understated role this year, according to NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg. The bench unit including Sam Hauser, Payton Pritchard and Luke Kornet have outscored opponents by 219 points on the year, the best in the NBA. In-season addition Xavier Tillman has also been a key contributor as of late.
- In case you missed it, the Sixers are signing Kai Jones to a 10-day contract. Get the details here.
I’ll be honest, I’d bring back Achiuwa over Hartenstein. I love Hartenstein, really and honestly, but Achiuwa is the local guy, can play both the 4 and 5, and looks like he has unlocked a new level of production. His increased aggressiveness on both ends and greater off-ball movement both speak to changes in his game, not just a hot streak. He’s doing less standing around at the perimeter when he’s not a good shooter, and instead is being much more active as a screener and cutter. Hartenstein is older and also likely costs more, since he’s proven he can start for a good team.
Also, the statline for the Philly game should read 13 points, not 12.
Keep everyone. Precious can enter the season as Randle’s backup. Injuries will happen eventually. It’s Dolan’s money, he’ll pay the tax for a contender.
I’d rather use that money to sign a scorer for the second unit. Bogdanovic has clearly lost a step and Burks is a FA (and has been bad since rejoining the Knicks). Buddy Hield, Malik Monk, Gary Trent Jr., Lonnie Walker, and Malik Beasley could all be good fits for this team, and are unrestricted FA this offseason.
What money ?
They’d have a 5 mill exception only
The Knicks absolutely need both of them. Mitchell Robinson cannot be trusted to get through a season without injury.
Fair, and I don’t disagree. It was more “if you have to pick one, pick Achiuwa”. The bench does need more firepower either way.
The NYK plan to go over the luxury tax next year, in part in order to have matching contracts for a star player, almost all of whom will make substantially in excess of what the NYK’s best players make. It’s one of the reasons they chose to get BB over an expiring deal. If they change their mind, the way of getting under the tax would be by not exericising their option on BB and not bringing Burks back. Not by walking away from valuable rotation players in their mid-20’s that they’d have no cap space to replace.
Bringing back Hartenstein will be a priority right behind Anunoby. His skill set is rare for a C that isn’t a star, and certainly better than anyone that’s going to be available to us. But there is slim possibility that it might not be up to the NYK; he’s a UFA and NYK can’t offer more than the Early Bird number (about 16 mm). Since the Achillies issues, it’s likely not an issue. Achiuwa is a RFA, so he’s back until something indicates otherwise. Nothing so far.
Boy, Xavier Tillman looked strong & fast last night! 6’8″, 245 pounds and only 25 years old. How does President Brad Stevens get these talents? X might be just what the Celts need in the Playoffs. Go Celtics!
I like X but man where did you see Fast ??!!
Was the remote stuck on 3x
His feet movement. I’ll keep watching him, see if he stays in front of his opponent. Maybe I’m wrong but all those guys trashing Luke, Hauser and Pritchard before this season began have been proven wrong.
Sorry, didn’t mean u were one of those trashers!
He gives every ounce of energy x , just kinda known to be a clunky mover and not one to get out on the break – moves decent laterally for a bu 5 just not much explosion
He knows his limitations and perks tho and that’s key, quality player/ good deadline addition
* He showed some big balls last playoffs for Mem when they were short players vs Lakers , fits well w Bos”s mission
Hartensteins early birds should 99% keep him in town – I say 99% as Zach Collins’s did just happen
PA is ofc sticking not even worth discussing