The Knicks did not extend a $6.3 million qualifying offer to Achiuwa on Saturday, making him an unrestricted free agent, Fred Katz of The Athletic reports.
Katz is reporting that the Knicks haven't ruled out the idea of bringing Achiuwa back, but right now they are prioritizing flexibility for their cap space. After being acquired from the Raptors last season, Achiuwa went on to make 49 appearances for the Knicks with averages of 7.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 blocks in 24.2 minutes.
Achiuwa isn't in the starting lineup in Tuesday's Game 5 against the Pacers, Tony East of SI.com reports.
Achiuwa will be replaced by Miles McBride in the starting five Tuesday. Achiuwa is averaging 2.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 13.7 minutes across his last 10 appearances coming off the bench.
Achiuwa is in the starting lineup for Friday's Game 3 against the Pacers, Steve Popper of Newsday reports.
Achiuwa will replace OG Anunoby (hamstring) in the starting five Friday. Achiuwa averaged 12.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 36.5 minutes across his previous 18 starting appearances this season.
Knicks' Precious Achiuwa: Double-double against former club
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Achiuwa recorded 19 points (8-13 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 12 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal over 27 minutes off the bench during Wednesday's 145-101 win over the Raptors.
It was Achiuwa's ninth double-double of the season, seven of which have come since he was traded from Toronto to New York as part of the OG Anunoby (elbow) deal. Achiuwa was actually the biggest part of that deal on the court Wednesday, as Immanuel Quickley (conditioning) and RJ Barrett (conditioning) also remained sidelined for the Raptors. Achiuwa has come off the bench in eight straight games even with Anunoby unavailable for the last five, and his production has been erratic over that stretch, although he has scored in double digits twice while pulling down double-digit boards twice as well. In those eight games, the 24-year-old big has averaged 7.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 blocks in 21.4 minutes a contest.
Achiuwa posted two points (1-2 FG), five rebounds, four assists and one block in 20 minutes during Saturday's 98-91 win over the Kings.
Achiuwa played fewer than 25 minutes for the third straight game, continuing his recent slide. With Isaiah Hartenstein rounding into form and OG Anunoby (elbow) back, it appears as though Achiuwa is now playing purely as a backup center. He can be dropped in standard formats if this continues for even one more game.
