Future not focus as Precious loses time
PORTLAND, Ore. — Precious Achiuwa picked a good time to have the best season of his NBA career. But it will probably be tougher to keep that up now that he’s moving back to the bench.
With OG Anunoby’s return this week from elbow surgery, Achiuwa was moved from starting power forward to mostly backup center. He still played very well in Tuesday’s win over the Sixers, but the playing time dipped — especially compared to his 40minute average in the 12 games immediately after Anunoby’s injury — and the role change presents questions about how it might impact Achiuwa’s free agency and future in New York.
Predictably, Achiuwa, a restricted free agent in the summer, didn’t want to dive into the topic ahead of Thursday’s game against the Blazers.
“Right now, I’m just focused on the season. Obviously that’s something that is going to come around. When that time comes that’s something we’re gonna talk about. Of course cross that bridge,” Achiuwa said.
Achiwua’s free agency value is $8 million-$10 million in annual salary, as Bobby Marks, the ESPN front office insider and former assistant GM of the Nets, estimated to The Post. The Knicks, who traded for Achiuwa and Anunoby in December, can match any offer. For Achiuwa’s production this season — which included averages of nine points and 7.7 rebounds heading into Thursday — an $8 million-$10 million per year would be a solid deal for New York.
But it’s more complicated than paying for numbers. The Knicks already have a starting center under contract, Mitchell Robinson, who is recovering from a second surgery to his feet and will be paid about $14.32 million next season. Isaiah Hartenstein, who has stepped into the role of starting center after Robinson’s injury, will be an unrestricted free agent in the summer. His value, as estimated by Marks, is an $13 million-$14 million annual salary.
Marks noted that centers don’t get big money anymore, but Achuiwa and Hartenstein benefit from a weak free-agency class at that position, with Brooklyn’s Nic Claxton and New Orleans’ Jonas Valanciunas at the top.