Achiuwa updateWeeks into free agency, Achiuwa is lingering in the market. At this point, remaining unsigned could be to both his and the Knicks’ advantage.
The Knicks remain open to bringing back Achiuwa, who they acquired as part of the December trade that brought OG Anunoby to New York. And yet, for now, they are best leaving Achiuwa unsigned — and Achiuwa can maximize his market by waiting.
The NBA’s economy has changed under this new collective bargaining agreement. The middle class is getting hit. Zero free agents this summer have received the non-taxpayer midlevel exception for multiple seasons. De’Anthony Melton is the only person to receive it in full, but he got only one year with the Golden State Warriors. Others have had to take less. Many organizations haven’t used their midlevel, whether the non-taxpayer or the taxpayer, at all.
The non-taxpayer midlevel exception, which allows over-the-cap teams to sign players to contracts with a starting salary of up to $12.9 million, also can be used as a trade exception now, which gives front offices an excuse to hold onto it if they don’t love what they see. Solid role players are getting squeezed.
Tyus Jones, who is sneakily coming off his best-ever season with the Washington Wizards, remains unsigned. Caleb Martin reportedly turned down a five-year, $65 million extension to test free agency and received only half of that guaranteed money over four years. Gary Trent Jr., a consistent scorer and shooter, settled for a minimum contract with the Milwaukee Bucks earlier this week.
That brings us back to Achiuwa, and why he may still be around.
If the offers are not attractive, maybe at the minimum or barely above, Achiuwa could be best off waiting to see what the Knicks do. And the Knicks could benefit from patience, too.
Here’s why:
Beginning this season, trades are far more difficult to make, especially for a team like the Knicks, who are above the first apron, a payroll threshold that limits an organization’s resources if it crests over it. One of the most punitive first-apron restrictions? The Knicks are not allowed to take back more salary than they send out in a trade.
This is where hypothetical trades become even more confusing: No team above the first apron can realistically make a trade with another that also is above the first apron. Unless they are dealing one player for another who makes the same salary, all the way down to the cent, one team will be absorbing more dollars than the other.
The Knicks could still use a backup center. A trade could entice them, but they need the tools to make it happen. Achiuwa would come in handy if they’re negotiating with a team also above the first apron.
Let’s say the Knicks agree to a trade with Team A that would send (I’m making up numbers to keep the math simple) $10 million in salaries to Team A and $14 million in salary to the Knicks. That means New York is adding $4 million to the deal. Achiuwa could remedy that. All the Knicks and Team A have to do is find a third team, someone either with cap room or an exception to absorb the big man, then agree to a sign-and-trade with Achiuwa that pays him more than $4 million.
The final version of the trade would look like this:
The Knicks send out $10 million of salaries on the roster and, say, a $5 million salary for Achiuwa in a sign-and-trade deal. They bring back $14 million and thus are in the clear.
Team A sends out $14 million and takes back $10 million, which puts it in the clear, as well.
Team B, which must be below the first apron, receives Achiuwa in a sign-and-trade and possibly lands a draft pick as a thank-you for facilitating the deal.
It’s why both sides might as well wait. In the end, the Knicks can execute a trade they otherwise couldn’t and Achiuwa receives more than a minimum salary. If the Knicks can’t find a worthwhile deal, then bringing back Achiuwa, who performed well after joining the group this winter, remains on the table.
