The New York Knicks depth chart at center was questioned just a few short weeks ago. Isaiah Hartenstein, who had started in the middle much of last season, signed a large deal to join the Oklahoma City Thunder. Mitchell Robinson, the team’s longest-tenured player, is expected to be out until at least January after undergoing two ankle procedures.
Of course, those questions subsided once New York made a blockbuster deal right before training camp began. The team acquired four-time All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo. The Knicks now had their starting center, and someone who could potentially move over to power forward as he did in Minnesota once Robinson returns.
With Robinson out though, there isn’t much depth behind Towns at center. While undersized for the position, Precious Achiuwa performed admirably for the Knicks down low last season after the team traded for him along with OG Anunoby. Unfortunately for New York, Achiuwa will not be available to start the regular season.
Knicks Depth Weakens As Key Reserve Suffers Hamstring Injury
Precious Achiuwa Sustains Hamstring Injury
Achiuwa joined the Knicks in a trade with the Toronto Raptors on December 30, 2023. He played in 49 games for the team, including 18 starts. The Knicks have now announced that an injury will sideline the 25-year-old to begin the regular season.
Precious Achiuwa sustained a strained left hamstring and will be re-evaluated in 2-4 weeks
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) October 20, 2024
It’s a tough break for the Knicks. While Achiuwa was not going to be in the starting lineup, he certainly was going to be utilized as one of New York’s first players off the bench. Again, while he is undersized at the center position (listed at 6-foot-8), he has played 75% of his career minutes there according to Basketball-Reference.
Last season with the Knicks, Achiuwa posted averages of 7.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks. Achiuwa shot 52.5% from the field, 13-50 (26.0%) from beyond the arc, and 64.3% from the free throw line. He recorded seven double-doubles with the team.
Achiuwa’s 2024-25 season will be his fifth in the NBA. He was selected 20th overall by the Miami Heat in the 2020 NBA Draft out of Memphis. Achiuwa played his first season with the Heat, next two with the Raptors, and began last season with Toronto before being traded to the Knicks.
Backup Center Minutes May Now Go To Jericho Sims
The Knicks are now more shorthanded in the frontcourt with both Robinson and Achiuwa sidelined. While the 28-year-old Towns is one of the better centers in the NBA, he has his own injury history as well. He missed 20 games last season and appeared in only 29 of 82 for Minnesota in 2022-23.
It’s likely that the reserve center minutes will now go to Jericho Sims until Achiuwa is ready to return. The recently turned 26-year-old has boatloads of athleticism (took part in the 2023 Slam Dunk Contest) but is very limited offensively. Sims has started 32 games over his first three seasons with the Knicks. He has career averages of 2.6 points and 4.0 rebounds.
New York also has rookie Ariel Hukporti, who was taken 58th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft. He averaged four points and 3.3 rebounds in his four preseason outings.
