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The New York Knicks are determined to keep center Isaiah Hartenstein, so this could cloud their decision regarding his replacement.

Stefan Bondy of the New York Post revealed that the Knicks did not extend a qualifying offer to Precious Achiuwa and have therefore designated him as a free agent this summer:

“Precious Achiuwa, who served as a capable injury replacement in the frontcourt last season, did not receive a qualifying offer from the Knicks by Saturday’s deadline, a source confirmed,” Bondy wrote.

“The move does not completely rule out a contract extension with Achiuwa in the summer, but the Knicks have given up their matching rights.”

Knicks benefited from Precious Achiuwa’s play in 2023-24

Achiuwa was a key part of the Knicks’ resurgence in the second half of the 2023-24 NBA season. The Nigerian big man filled a void the Knicks desperately needed to fill. After Julius Randle was sidelined with a dislocated shoulder on Jan. 27 against the Miami Heat and the team struggled with the absence of starting center Mitchell Robinson, New York was without backup players at both the power forward and center positions at a key time of the year.

The 6-foot-8 Achiuwa came into the game averaging a career-high 7.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 24.2 minutes per game for New York in 49 games, 18 of which he started, while shooting 52.5 percent from the field. The 24-year-old posted seven double-doubles for New York on the season, and the Knicks went 5-2 with those numbers.

Will the Knicks be able to bring Achiuwa back once the dust settles around Julius Randle and Isaiah Hartenstein?

Achiuwa’s fluid game, including his knack for bringing the ball up the floor in triple-threat situations and getting up from close range for soft finishes at the basket, benefited the Knicks on their way to the 2024 Eastern Conference semifinals. However, the $6.3 million qualifying offer he could receive would have literally handcuffed the Knicks in their attempt to re-sign Hartenstein long-term.

Now that New York has signed Mikal Bridges, signed OG Anunoby to a five-year, $212.5 million deal, and brought Jericho Sims back to a team-friendly $2.1 million contract in recent days, they could let Achiuwa leave as an unrestricted free agent. Should the Knicks retain the rest of their core as planned, his departure will sting, but not be quite as bad, as the Knicks will fill their frontcourt slots with Hartenstein, Sims, Randle, and 25th overall draft pick Pacome Dadiet, with Josh Hart available as a flexible option. Still, Achiuwa will be a player to keep an eye on, as the Knicks may not have had the full success they did without his contributions to the season last season.