The Knicks announced the re-signing of Precious Achiuwa on Tuesday.
The move was widely expected, with the available free-agent market having dwindled to nothing. Retaining the Bronx native also essentially completed the Knicks’ major offseason moves.
The team did not announce contract terms, though Achiuwa’s agent Raymond Brothers told ESPN that the deal was for one year and $6 million.
Precious Achiuwa is coming back to the Knicks. Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostThe Knicks picked up Achiuwa from the Raptors last season in the trade for OG Anunoby — who inked a massive five-year, $212.5 million pact.
After the pair helped the Knicks finish second in the East and reach the conference semifinals, they will be together in the Garden again next season.
Both Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau and Achiuwa largely preferred the big man’s role to be as a backup power forward behind Julius Randle last season.
He averaged 7.6 points on 52.5 percent shooting, 7.2 rebounds and 1.1 assist in 24.2 minutes over 49 games after being acquired Dec. 30.
But with reliable center Isaiah Hartenstein having departed in free agency for Oklahoma City, Mitchell Robinson will enter the season as the starter.
Achiuwa will get first crack at being the Knicks’ No. 2 center. Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostThe 6-foot-8, 243-pound Achiuwa will likely have to serve as Robinson’s primary backup at center, with little-used Jericho Sims behind him.
Achiuwa has waived his Bird veto ability, according to The Athletic.
Usually, a player like Achiuwa inking a one-year deal could block any trade, but Achiuwa has eschewed that protection so can now be dealt at a later date.
The 24-year-old Achiuwa is to some extent gambling on himself.
The contract might appear somewhat team friendly, but Mitchell has shown himself to be injury-prone and Sims is unproven.
Increased playing time is there to be seized, and Achiuwa can reenter free agency in 2025 when more teams are expected to have salary-cap space to offer him an improved deal.
Achiuwa, who immigrated from Africa, played for Our Saviour Lutheran School in The Bronx, before transferring to St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark.
He spent his final season at powerhouse Montverde Academy in Florida under Kevin Boyle.
