After a career-best season on a minimum deal, the versatile forward eyes a lucrative return to Sacramento following high praise from coaches and a dominant late-season scoring surge.
While last year's season did not go as planned for the Sacramento Kings, multiple young players made the most of their increased opportunities, including 2020 first round pick Precious Achiuwa.
Achiuwa signed a veteran minimum deal with the Kings last season, and ended up having a career year.
The six-year journeyman averaged a career-best 10.1 points per game, adding 6.7 rebounds.
Following his strong season, Achiuwa is definitely in line for a larger contract, and Sacramento would benefit from bringing him back.
On Tuesday, ESPN Kings Insider James Ham said that the two's reunion is a growing possibility.
"The word I'm hearing is it's very very likely that Precious Achiuwa will be back next season," Ham said on ESPN 1320 Sacramento.
In mid-March, following a 116-111 win over the Utah Jazz, Achiuwa expressed his gratitude for the Kings giving him a shot, while saying that he would love to return to the team next season.
"Absolutely. I love Sacramento. The city’s embraced me, the team’s embraced me, 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," Achiuwa said. "I hope once the offseason comes around, they’ll be willing to have me come back.”
Achiuwa really caught his groove after the All-Star Break, upping his numbers in nearly every category and turning it up a notch on the defensive end.
But, perhaps his best attributes are his intangibles, as head coach Doug Christie talked about during last season.
"He's so coachable. He's a pleasure as a coach because he's listening," Christie said. He wants to win, he's about the team, all the right things. He wants to win so he'll be upset but then he lets it go and the smile is back on his face."
On all of his previous squads, Achiuwa has taken a selfless approach, doing whatever the team needs from him.
However, last season, with Sacramento riddled with injuries, Achiuwa took it upon himself to get more aggressive.
In the final game of the season, Achiuwa left the Kings front office with a good last impression, scoring a game-high 27 points against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Achiuwa ended the month of April averaging over 15 points per game for the second consecutive month.
With the Kings $82 million over the projected cap limit, according to Spotrac, signing Achiuwa could become difficult, but with some savvy money moves, opening up space for the former Memphis standout should not be too difficult.
Nevertheless, Achiuwa has certainly earned himself additional compensation after outplaying his minimum contract standing last season.
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