Knicks Rumors: Bojan Bogdanović a Trade Candidate; Precious Achiuwa Contract Update

With a tight payroll situation heading into the 2024-25 NBA season, the New York Knicks could face some difficult decisions regarding forwards Bojan Bogdanović and Precious Achiuwa.

Bogdanović has a partially guaranteed $19 million salary for the upcoming year. Should New York waive him before June 28, it would only be on the hook for $2 million.

HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported on the HoopsHype Podcast the general belief is that the Knicks will keep him on the roster but that Bogdanović will be a trade candidate. Stefan Bondy of the New York Post provided more insight in that regard.

“They made that trade midseason with the idea — as you mentioned Mike — that they could use his salary as a means to trade for a star because they need to match salaries somehow,” Bondy said. “I think that’s their ideal route where they guarantee that money, and then they make a trade.”

Even if a worthwhile trade doesn’t materialize, Bogdanović is a career 39.4 percent shooter from beyond the arc who’s averaging 15.6 points per game. Surely he could play a role off the bench for New York.

On Achiuwa, the Knicks have to decide whether they want to retain him at all.

The 24-year-old can become a restricted free agent if he’s tendered a $6.3 million qualifying offer. While New York would have matching rights in that scenario, Scotto questioned whether it’s a luxury the team will exercise.

“In talking with people around the league, they think it might be a little tough for the Knicks, given their roster construction and future payroll concerns, to keep him even though he’s a restricted free agent,” he said. “If the Knicks think [Isaiah] Hartenstein is leaving, maybe the thought of Precious leaving the Knicks isn’t as certain as possible.”

In 49 games with the Knicks following his midseason trade, Achiuwa averaged 7.6 points and 7.2 rebounds. He logged 20-plus minutes in each of New York’s last six playoff games, too, taking on a bigger role with so many players missing in the frontcourt.

Still, the front office might have to set a firm price on what it’s willing to pay Achiuwa and anything above that number will be deemed too costly.