The Miami Heat have signed Precious Achiuwa to a one-year deal, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania first reported Wednesday.
Achiuwa, who turned 26-years-old on Sept. 19, is a familiar face to the organization. Miami drafted the 6-foot-8 big No. 20 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft. He only played one season before getting traded to the Toronto Raptors in the Kyle Lowry sign-and-trade.
Last season with the New York Knicks, Achiuwa averaged 6.6 points and 5.6 rebounds across 20.5 minutes per game. He played in 57 of the team’s 82 games, starting 10 of them.
According to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald, the Heat are signing him to a one-year non-guaranteed deal — essentially an Exhibit 10 contract. Thus, he won’t put the Heat above the luxury tax threshold, unless he makes the 15-man roster.
However, the Heat will need to cut at least one Exhibit 10 player because Achiuwa puts them over the 21-player limit heading into camp. Those spots are occupied by Gabe Madsen, Dain Dainja, Jahmir Young, Ethan Thompson and Trevor Keels.
Beggars can’t be choosers at this point. Well, I guess they technically can be in this instance. But the Heat desperately needed to address their backup big situation behind Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware.
Achiuwa was one of the better backup bigs available on the market, which wasn’t saying much. He hasn’t quite improved his deficiencies (defense, consistency, shooting) over his four seasons, but there’s a world where he can be servicable.
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great move need some rebounding and defense besides bam ware just got it
“He hasn’t quite improved his deficiencies (defense, consistency, shooting) over his four seasons, but there’s a world where he can be servicable.”
Honestly I like it welcome back precious
I know I have been a bit of a Debbie Downer at times on these threads. But, I’m feeling a sense of optimism now. No reason this team can’t get 45 wins and actually avoid the play-in.
For that to happen we would need to be blessed with good health. And, I would like Jovic to make a small leap to being a B level player. Rozier and Dru would have to contribute also. And Ty could return as a sixth man. If those things all happen somewhat, 45 wins seems plausible.
If we make one more trade, giving up two roster players and a pick, ( perhaps Ty and JJJ), and acquire another Wiggins level two way player, fifty wins is possible.
No matter what, the Heat will be watchable and should give us something to cheer about.
with e reid on the broadcast and rc in chat ill be here
It’s good to be optimistic. Depending on how the season goes by the trade deadline, the Heat will know whether to make trades to augment their rotation for the playoffs or have a fire sale to acquire assets in order to begin rebuilding/retooling next summer.
If Miami comes out of December after 33 games with a 17-16 record, or worse, they will be looking at another mediocre//play-in season. If they come out 20-13, 19-14, 18-15 they may have a chance to finish in the top 6.
We’ll know more by January 30th after 50 games. If they are 30-20, or better, it will be a very good sign. 25-25 or worse, we are probably looking at Miami’s 4th straight finish as a play-in team.
Didn’t even realize Precious was a FA this summer. Can’t be mad at this signing. We definitely need the depth at big. He wasn’t in the Knicks rotation because Thibs notoriously has a short rotation, especially in the playoffs. Knicks already had two 7 footers in the rotation (Towns and Robinson) so Thibs focused on getting his wings (OG, Bridges, Hart) on the court as much as possible. Precious should see much more action with the Heat, especially during the regular season.
He could earn up to 15-20 minutes per game if he comes in with a big chip on his shoulder determined to hustle his ass off and make a lasting impression. I know this isn’t the way he would have liked to return to Miami. He is auditioning for a defined place in the rotation, maybe something like Obi Toppin’s role in Indiana. Toppin is 6’9″ 220 lbs. Precious is 6’8″ 243 lbs.
This is a second chance for Precious to let Miami’s coaching staff help him get to the next level. I think practices are going to get a little “chippy” with so many folks fighting for a rotation spot/playing time.
My top Dark Horses to make the rotation coming out of the pre-season.
Love it
I wish him well. If he understands his role and plays up to his potential, he should fill in very nicely. Now he can be paired with Ware, Bam and Jovic (in certain situations). Riley has made a cost-effective decision that keeps the team under the luxury cap. It also gives Precious an opportunity for a new beginning. Training camp should be very interesting.
Note: The only remaining players from the 2020-2021 Heat team are: Bam, Herro and now Achiuwa. Of that season’s 15 man roster, only those 3 plus Duncan Robinson and “the quitter” are still in the NBA. Max Strus and Gabe Vincent were two-way players that season.
Serviceable is better than nothing. Welcome back Precious, I would be shocked if you don’t make the team. And compared to the last few guys we’ve had at backup center, you’re going to be a notable upgrade. We have a chance to be competitive now.
The Predator is back!