25-Year-Old Power Forward Signs to the Heat
This past season, the New York Knicks had one of their best season in over 25 years. The Knicks made it to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000. They finished the regular season with 51 wins and third in the Eastern Conference. New York defeated a gritty Detroit Pistons team in six games, then defeated the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics in six games. In the Eastern Conference Finals, the New York Knicks lost in six games to the Indiana Pacers. The Knicks' backup power forward and center, Precious Achiuwa, received quality minutes during the regular season; however, during the NBA Playoffs, he averaged just four minutes in eight playoff games. After a historic season for the Knicks, Achiuwa has become an unrestricted free agent. Today, it was reported by Shams Charania that the 25-year-old power forward signed a one-year deal with the Miami Heat.
Achiuwa was selected as the 20th overall pick during the 2020 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat. After playing his rookie season in Miami, the Toronto Raptors acquired the 25-year-old power forward along with Goran Dragić in exchange for Kyle Lowry. He spent two and a half seasons with the Raptors before the Knicks acquired Achiuwa, OG Anunoby, and Malachi Flynn for RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and a second-round pick. Last off-season, the 25-year-old power forward signed a one-year, six-million-dollar extension with New York. Achiuwa missed the first few weeks of the 2024-2025 NBA season after he suffered a strained left hamstring.
In 57 games played this season, and in 10 starts, Achiuwa averaged about 20 minutes of playing time. He recorded about seven points, six rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a block a game. On February 12th, during a 149-148 win over the Atlanta Hawks, the 25-year-old power forward put up 26 points along with eight rebounds, an assist, a steal, and two blocks. During that season-high matchup, he shot 12 for 16 from the field in 42 minutes of action. This upcoming season with the Heat will be huge, as he’ll look to up his production, efficiency, and be a top role player for Miami.
