Sacramento bolsters its frontcourt depth by locking down the versatile forward. Following a breakout season of "grown man basketball," Achiuwa returns to provide essential rebounding and defensive grit.
The Sacramento Kings retained forward Precious Achiuwa after a stellar season on a veteran's minimum contract, a little under two hours before free agency opened, first reported by Chris Haynes.
Achiuwa signed a two-year, $11.5 million contract. Sacramento dipped into the Bi-Annual Exception to prevent the 6-foot-8 forward from hitting unrestricted free agency.
His estimated raise is approximately $3.5 million from his $2.1 million contract last year, according to Spotrac. Achiuwa earned a raise, especially from the Kings, after averaging 10.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists.
He stepped up for the team when the injury big hit Sacramento's front court. Center Domantas Sabonis underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, and forward Keegan Murray dealt with lingering ankle issues.
The 26-year-old nearly averaged a double-double in March and April. He averaged 15.4 points and 9.3 rebounds in March and 15.5 points and nine rebounds in April.
Achiuwa recorded five 20-point, 10-rebound performances in those two months. His best game was a 29-point, 19-rebound outing against the Toronto Raptors on April 1.
"Precious played grown man basketball tonight," coach Doug Christie told reporters after the game. "I mean, he's been spectacular for us all around. He guards everybody. He rebounds the basketball. He does all the dirty work. But tonight, he was rebounding everything."
He joined DeMarcus Cousins, Chris Webber, Brad Miller and Sabonis as players to put up 28-plus points and 19-plus rebounds since the Sacramento era began.
The Kings maintain some frontcourt depth, considering Sabonis could be traded. Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren is interested in joining the franchise via sign-and-trade, and Sabonis is open to playing in Detroit, as reported by Sam Amick of The Athletic.
Sacramento has Achiuwa, Maxime Raynaud and Dylan Cardwell manning its front court. It is solid depth for the Kings, but they definitely need a starting-caliber center.
Achiuwa said he loves Sacramento because the team has embraced him after he started the season without a contract.
"The city’s embraced me, the team’s embraced me," Achiuwa said after the Kings' victory over the Utah Jazz. "The organization—from the front office to my teammates and the coaching staff. I truly, truly love being here, and I would really love to be here. I hope once the offseason comes around, they’ll be willing to have me come back.”
The Kings keep a valuable bench piece for the next two seasons, as general manager Scott Perry prepares to have a successful offseason to build around Darius Acuff Jr.
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