Kings Acquire Precious Achiuwa

Bassyonni

ago 4 hours

The Sacramento Kings have officially signed forward/center Precious Achiuwa, enhancing their frontcourt depth. This move was first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, who detailed Sacramento’s decision to waive Isaac Jones to accommodate Achiuwa on the roster.

Kings Strengthen Roster with Precious Achiuwa

Achiuwa joins the Kings at a crucial time. The team has been dealing with injuries, particularly following the thumb injury to starting power forward Keegan Murray last month. The loss of Murray has forced the Kings to adapt by utilizing smaller lineups and relying more on rookies Nique Clifford and Dylan Cardwell.

Contract Details and Player Background

Player: Precious Achiuwa
Age: 26
Previous Teams: Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks
Drafted: 20th overall in 2020
Recent Season Stats: 6.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.0 assists per game
Shooting Line: .502 FG%, .278 3P%, .594 FT%

Achiuwa began his NBA journey with the Miami Heat before being traded to the Toronto Raptors as part of the Kyle Lowry sign-and-trade deal in 2021. Most recently, he played with the New York Knicks after a mid-season trade in December 2023. Despite signing a non-guaranteed contract with the Heat this fall, Achiuwa did not make the regular season roster due to luxury tax implications.

Impact on Isaac Jones and Team Adjustments

In light of Achiuwa’s acquisition, the Kings have opted to release Isaac Jones. Jones, an undrafted free agent from Washington State, had a breakthrough season, appearing in 40 games off the bench last year. He was promoted from a two-way contract to a standard deal in March.

However, Jones had limited playing time, averaging just 7.6 minutes per game. Although he exceeded expectations during his stint with Sacramento, the Kings’ decision to release him comes with a minimal financial penalty of $191,043 in dead money.

Looking Ahead

With Achiuwa’s expected signing, the Kings will benefit from his athleticism and defensive versatility. He does not pose a significant threat from outside but is known for his high-energy play and strong rebounding capabilities. Achiuwa’s prorated minimum deal is anticipated to be around $2,453,285.

As the Kings continue to navigate player injuries and roster changes, the addition of Precious Achiuwa may prove vital for their ongoing season.