The Knicks picked up the contract option on one big man and sent the other to unrestricted free agency.
Precious Achiuwa, who filled in for injured frontcourt players last season, did not receive a qualifying offer from the Knicks before Saturday’s deadline, sources confirmed.
The move doesn’t completely rule out the possibility that Achiuwa could re-sign in the summer, but the Knicks waived their rights for the same amount.
It would be a surprise if Achiuwa returns.
It was also a symbol of the Knicks’ continued pursuit of Isaiah Hartenstein.
Giving Achuyiwa a $6.3 million qualifying offer would reduce the team’s financial flexibility to re-sign Hartenstein.
Atuyiwa was acquired by the Raptors as the second player in the trade for OG Anunoby last season and averaged 7.6 points and 6.6 rebounds last season.
He was a starter for a time following injuries to Julius Randle and Anunoby and showed better rebounding ability than he did during his previous tenures with Toronto and Miami.
Achiuwa emigrated from Nigeria and attended high school in New York.
In another move involving a center, the Knicks picked up Jericho Sims’ $2.1 million option for next season, sources told The Post.
His contract is still only partially guaranteed, with two trigger dates, until becoming fully guaranteed later in the summer.
Sims, 25, was a second-round pick by the Knicks in 2021 and is one of the NBA’s most athletic centers, having also competed in the 2023 Slam Dunk Contest.
However, he has yet to master any offensive moves beyond dunking and has to learn how to avoid fouls.
Scouts are impressed with his athletic potential.
Sims started a few games last year after an injury to Mitchell Robinson, but soon suffered an ankle sprain and Hartenstein was thrust into the starting lineup.
Sims has been in and out of the rotation since then.
In other internal moves, the Knicks extended a two-way qualifying offer to Jacob Toppin, Obi’s brother, on the eve of free agency.
They did not offer Duane Washington Jr. or Charlie Brown Jr.
They also declined the team option for Daquan Jeffries.
