The Atlanta Hawks have plenty of options for how they can shape their roster this offseason, and a move for pending New York Knicks free agent Precious Achiuwa could prove wise.
Achiuwa re-signed with the Knicks in free agency last offseason on a one-year, $6 million contract. However, the arrival of Karl-Anthony Towns and his head coach’s game planning both took their toll on his playing time in the regular season and playoffs.
Achiuwa has maxed out as a 9.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.0 APG player for two years.
That was some time ago, though, and he has battled injuries at various points during his five-year career.
Still, he is a versatile player who offers enough offense, size, and hustle to be a key cog off the bench and spot starter when needed. He even experimented with the three-ball even more during his earlier years, something the Hawks could certainly tap into.
They have already seen Onyeka Okongwu take those steps.
With Clint Capela expected to leave in unrestricted free agency this offseason, finding a replacement will be key.
The Hawks have 2023 second-round pick Mouhamed Gueye, but he is slight of frame and could even pair with Achiuwa to give the Hawks a formidable duo behind Jalen Johnson and starting power forward Jalen Johnson.
Achiuwa will turn just 26 years old in September.
Finding common ground with Achiuwa on a contract should not prove too challenging for the Hawks, who can argue that he would not be stuck behind Towns and Mitchell Robinson.
Hawks can add wrinkle to Knicks rivalry with Precious Achiuwa pursuit
The other benefit is that it would thin the Knicks’ ranks, which could prove costly as they look to replace Achiuwa and upgrade their roster after falling in the ECF. Because, as the Hawks know, staying even mostly the same hardly guarantees a return.
The Hawks can also approach Achiuwa at a variety of levels contractually, including the full non-taxpayer’s midlevel exception.
“Instead of straddling the luxury tax line like in years past, Atlanta enters the offseason right at the salary cap,” ESPN’s Bobby Marks wrote in April. “The Hawks have the flexibility to use their $14.1 million non-tax mid-level exception and still be active in the trade market. Atlanta also has the $5.1 million biannual, veteran minimum and four trade exceptions ($25.3 million, $13.1 million, $3.7 million and $3.5 million).”
That is a lot of maneuverability for the Hawks.
Achiuwa should not cost too much, and he would help solve several of the Hawks’ looming question marks, though they would remain undersized in the frontcourt. They are taller on the wings, though, with Dyson Daniels and Zaccharie Risacher.
That, again, allows them to be flexible in how they approach this offseason. They figure to need a backup center as the 2025 NBA Draft approaches.
If that comes and goes without the Hawks landing a big man, Achiuwa will be a solid target.