Precious Achiuwa
- Thread starter Tetsujin
- Start date
Caccia
Starter
Achiuwa wants to stay in Sacramento. The feeling is mutual, Precious fellow!
https://www.talkbasket.net/214210-precious-achiuwa-expresses-desire-to-remain-with-kings
https://www.talkbasket.net/214210-precious-achiuwa-expresses-desire-to-remain-with-kings
Tetsujin
The Game Thread Dude
LaRavia also said this right before he signed with LA but this time we aren’t limited by dumb contract rules in terms of how much we can offer him (we can’t offer the max but we could go the MLE route if so needed) so I like our chances
Caccia
Starter
That is definitely helpful. He plays like Sabonis: gritty, determined, great footwork, great hands, excellent rebounder, plus he moves fast and can shoot a three-pointer (which Sabonis used to do), averaging 40.9% since the all-star break. Achiuwa is pulling in a stellar 10 rebounds per 36 minutes this season.
ShastaKingsFan
Hall of Famer
It happens. Every once in a while a guy slips through the cracks. Maybe the fact that he was a tweener position wise and wasn't viewed as a 3pt threat at the 4 position. An over emphasis on 3pt shooting has been a thing everywhere. Even so, it's still hard to figure how he slipped through
Caccia
Starter
Regardless, credit to Scott Perry for bringing him on board.
SacTownKid
Hall of Famer
Nice to see him shine, but this could end up bad if the Kings prioritize signing him and it's costs real money. No, he's not old, but he's what he is at this point. In the end, it would be a Lyles level patch job on a losing should be rebuilding squad. Statistically he's been basically this same player the entire time, just now he's getting minutes to produce. Great if on a rookie contract, not if you have to make moves just to make it work. This would be Kings 101 yet again. Following the same playbook to nowhere and kneecapping themselves at the worst possible time.
Caccia
Starter
Since you bring up stats:
Lyles in 2024-25: 42 FG%, 32 3P%, 8.4 RB per 36 minutes, 12 pts per 36 minutes.
Achiuwa post all-star break: 59.8 FG%, 40.9 3P%, 10.8 RB per 36 minutes, 18.9 pts per 36 minutes.
There is not a doubt in my mind that Achiuwa is the better player. It's no patch job if they re-sign him next year, it's a necessity. He's the toughest player on the team and gives 100% all the time, on both ends of the court.
QWERTYLICIOUS
Starter
He's...precious!!!
sactowndog
Hall of Famer
One thing to keep in mind is when playing against tanking teams close outs are a lot slower so shooting percentages rise. Kind of like Louis King could shoot the lights out in summer league with more time.
He still sits at 32.9% for the season.
I like your argument. I’m no good at player comparisons but I sort see him as a Paul Millsap type. Similar size, never totally convinced he’s a starting caliber PF but brings a lot to the team especially toughness.
The Kings, are in a position where they need to figure how Hunter fits in, but can’t. My understanding, please correct me if i’m wrong, is his next year is not guaranteed. Perhaps that and some other means of jockeying funds can help sign Precious to a contract both parties are happy with.
I get the idea he sincerely likes Sacramento and the current mix of players whereas LaRavia, nice guy and wanted him to stay but didn’t think he would.
Hunter is fully guaranteed next season.
Yeah I highly doubt players are purposely closing out to shooters slower to tank and lose games.
ShastaKingsFan
Hall of Famer
It's also Kings 101 to bring in players, hoping they improve the team,....then when they do, have little incentive to bring them back. Or being hand cuffed to bring them back, in the case of Laravia.
and to have a coach in a situation where he is fighting for his career....and in his mind, can't afford to have the worst record in the league. As if a couple more wins by way of big iso scoring games from Derozan is going to change anyone's mind about his coaching ability.
It's more nonsense everywhere you look, again
Caccia
Starter
I think Doug Christie is a terrible head coach, but probably a good to very good teacher. I was surprised to see Achiuwa state that "On the basketball court, I’ve learned a lot from him.” It does reinforce the idea I have that he remains a valuable assistant coach.
kingsboi
Hall of Famer
buyer beware, contract year, picked off of the scrap heap. had a bit extra motivation to play better and harder. ideally, Kings aren't the one forking over an overpay, as history tells us they tend to do
ShastaKingsFan
Hall of Famer
That's how he slipped through the cracks. It happens and will happen again
sactowndog
Hall of Famer
They are G League players for a reason. Typically the biggest delta when you go up a level in any sport is the speed of the game. Players anticipate and react quicker.
Ahh I misunderstood sorry. I thought you were suggesting players weren’t trying.
You mean like Daeq Plowden doesn’t close out quicker than Derozan?
SacTownKid
Hall of Famer
He might be, but that wasn't the point, the situation is. The question is how much is it worth and how much it changes anything the Kings are or will be during his next contract. In the end, youngish journeyman role guys. One of the worst teams in the league has to be very careful how they value that. They weren't with Lyles, Schroder, etc. and they actually had more reason to value something like that then as opposed to now.
SacTownKid
Hall of Famer
Yeah, and the Kings have never been one to know what "hiding" is. They'll let players use them to get value and yes, historically when the Kings match that value or even exceed it what tends to happen? Yes, people argued the same thing when I brought up re-signing Lyles back then. There would obviously be a tipping point contractually where it would be worth it but the Kings are the definition of insanity. Doing the same things over and over and expecting different results.
Caccia
Starter
At least one writer agrees with me:
https://aroyalpain.com/kings-need-make-sure-this-player-stays-sacramento
"When the Sacramento Kings decided to sign Precious Achiuwa to a one-year contract, he was a free agent. And that was several games into the season. Now, he's playing incredible basketball for the Kings with the potential to be a key player in the rebuild if he gets the chance."
"Anyone from the Kings' front office looking at the caliber of basketball Achiuwa is playing and doesn't think he needs a long-term contract should be fired immediately."
The good news is that Scott Perry signed him, which means he will not be first on the list to be pushed out the door.
https://aroyalpain.com/kings-need-make-sure-this-player-stays-sacramento
"When the Sacramento Kings decided to sign Precious Achiuwa to a one-year contract, he was a free agent. And that was several games into the season. Now, he's playing incredible basketball for the Kings with the potential to be a key player in the rebuild if he gets the chance."
"Anyone from the Kings' front office looking at the caliber of basketball Achiuwa is playing and doesn't think he needs a long-term contract should be fired immediately."
The good news is that Scott Perry signed him, which means he will not be first on the list to be pushed out the door.
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