The Sacramento Kings added frontcourt depth today by agreeing to terms with veteran big Precious Achiuwa. The former New York Knicks rotation piece is expected to come off the bench for Sacramento after the club cleared a roster spot by waiving second‑year big Isaac Jones. The move aims to give coach Mike Brown more rebounding and interior defense behind Domantas Sabonis.
The signing was first reported on X by ESPN’s Shams Charania and has been picked up by outlets including Sports Illustrated. Charania noted that Achiuwa "enters his sixth NBA season and gives the Kings immediate rebounding and defensive versatility." The report says Sacramento moved quickly to add a veteran who can play both the four and five.
Achiuwa's recent track record
Achiuwa averaged about 6.6 points and 5.6 rebounds in 57 games for the New York Knicks last season, according to RotoWire/CBS Sports. He was the No. 20 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and began his career with the Miami Heat after one season at Memphis, per ESPN reporting. Across stops in Miami, Toronto and New York, Achiuwa has built a reputation as a high‑energy, defensive‑first rotation big rather than a spacing threat.
How he fits in Sacramento's rotation
The Kings have looked for more size and defensive versatility behind Domantas Sabonis, especially with Keegan Murray sidelined by a thumb issue and Sacramento carrying a short frontcourt. Industry trackers flagged Achiuwa as a potential fit for that need, noting he can defend multiple interior matchups and crash the glass. The addition gives Mike Brown another option to spell Sabonis without relying solely on smaller lineups.
What happens to Isaac Jones
Sacramento will waive second‑year big Isaac Jones to open the roster spot, sources say. Jones had been converted from a two‑way to a standard contract in March and split time with the Stockton Kings in the G League, but he struggled to carve out consistent minutes on Sacramento's main roster, as per RealGM. The waiver was also reported by RotoWire/CBS Sports as part of the move to bring Achiuwa aboard.
This is a short‑term, low‑risk tweak aimed at shoring up the bench and rebounding margin; the Kings did not immediately release contract terms. How quickly Achiuwa carves out minutes and whether Sacramento keeps the veteran past this stretch of the season will depend on matchups and health as the club balances immediate needs with longer‑term roster development, as reported by Basketball Insiders.
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