Precious Achiuwa could be a coveted trade deadline piece for Knicks

Precious Achiuwa has proven his value and versatility to the Knicks again this season, largely manning the center position in games Karl-Anthony Towns has missed with injuries, and more recently, starting alongside him with OG Anunoby out of the lineup the past two games. 

Achiuwa also is an interesting name to watch ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, however, after the Knicks convinced him to waive his right to a no-trade clause over the summer in order to re-sign with them on a one-year deal worth $6 million. 

That makes the Queens product’s contract a potential salary match or filler in any trades that team president Leon Rose is able to pull off by 3 p.m. Thursday for another big man or an outside shooter to fortify the depth of the Knicks’ roster. 

Asked after Tuesday’s win in Toronto about agreeing to exclude no-trade language from his contract before the season, the 25-year-old Achiuwa replied, “Just seeing what we could do as a team. At the end of the day, the goal is to win. It’s a business. Whatever happens, happens. You move on and continue as a pro.” 

This year’s deadline already is off to a stunning start, headlined by the blockbuster swap that essentially sent Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis and a first-round pick. The Spurs also acquired De’Aaron Fox from the Kings to pair with Victor Wembanyama. 

Some of the names linked to the Knicks have included Isaiah Stewart (Pistons), Chris Boucher (Raptors), Kelly Olynyk (Raptors) and Guerschon Yabusele (76ers). 

Of course, the Knicks already made their all-in trade during the offseason, sending five future first-round picks to the Nets in exchange for durable wing Mikal Bridges, who is leading the league in minutes played and is also the only player on the roster to appear in every game this season. 

Rose also has pulled off two major in-season trades the past two years, landing Josh Hart from Portland ahead of the trade deadline in February 2023, plus Anunoby and Achiuwa in late December 2023 from Toronto. 

“Last year around this time I already got through my part [of the trade deadline],” Achiuwa said. “That was the first time I had to deal with something like this. But it’s part of the business. It comes with it. You have to stay professional. And you’ve got to do what you got to do. 

“But that was the first time dealing with that midseason. So it was a shock to me, definitely. I’ve spent a lot of time here and it’s a place I hold dear to my heart. It wasn’t something I expected at the time.” 

With Anunoby out for a second straight game with a foot sprain, Achiuwa started at power forward against the Raptors and registered 17 points and eight rebounds in 36 minutes.

Tom Thibodeau also used rookie center Ariel Hukporti for 19 minutes, including stretches at center with Towns at the “4” spot. 

That setup could be a precursor to Thibodeau’s deployment options for the remainder of the season, especially with former starting center Mitchell Robinson finally cleared for contact and potentially returning soon from offseason ankle surgery. 

If the Knicks are unable to complete another trade before the deadline, they also can find depth additions via the buyout market.

March 1 is the final day a player can be waived and remain eligible to play in the postseason for another team. 

Because they are at the first apron for salary cap purposes, however, the Knicks cannot sign anyone in the buyout market whose contract this season was above the 2024-25 mid-level exception of $12.82 million.

A forward like Torrey Craig, who was waived over the weekend by the Bulls, could be one possibility. 

The Knicks also have been shopping backup center Jericho Sims ahead of the deadline.