\u201cThis is a very Precious Achiuwa-specific conversation,\u201d George said. \u201cI think Precious has been one of the best stories in the NBA this season, and it hasn\u2019t gotten nearly enough credit.\u201d<\/p>\n
That lack of national attention could actually benefit the Sacramento Kings\u2014at least in theory. George joked that he\u2019d love it if the rest of the league undervalued Achiuwa as \u201cjust putting up meaningless numbers on a terrible team,\u201d adding, \u201cGo ahead, so the Kings can bring him back on $5 million a year.\u201d<\/p>\n
But Anderson quickly pushed back on that idea.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think that\u2019s gonna happen,\u201d she said. \u201cTeams are very aware of what he\u2019s doing.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"SACRAMENTO,](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2251491788-300x202.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
More on Precious Achiuwa<\/p>\n
Precious Achiuwa\u2019s impact has been undeniable for a Sacramento team that has been decimated by injuries, especially to its frontcourt.<\/p>\n
Signed early in the regular season after Keegan Murray went down with a wrist injury (followed by two absences that were due to ankle injuries), he stepped into a starting role almost immediately and never looked back.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s started over 50 games and, according to Anderson, has been \u201cone of the most consistent starters the Kings have had. It\u2019s him and DeMar DeRozan.\u201d<\/p>\n
Over 68 games (52 starts), the 26-year-old forward holds averages of 9.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game (all career-highs) while shooting 53 percent from the field.<\/p>\n
What makes his rise even more remarkable is how it started.<\/p>\n
\u201cPrecious Achiuwa plays like a guy that was on his couch not knowing when the next opportunity was going to come,\u201d George said. \u201cAnd he\u2019s gone above and beyond \u2018to infinity and beyond.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Now, the Sacramento Kings must decide how badly they want to keep him\u2014and whether they even can.<\/p>\n
Achiuwa is currently on a minimum deal, but both hosts agree that\u2019s changing.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe ain\u2019t signing a league minimum contract next year. Heck no,\u201d George said, estimating a floor of around $5 million annually.<\/p>\n
The challenge? Sacramento\u2019s salary cap situation.<\/p>\n
The Kings already have nine players under contract, consuming nearly all available cap space. Big-money deals for stars like Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis leave little flexibility, making even a modest deal for Achiuwa complicated.<\/p>\n
![\"SACRAMENTO,](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2257702288-300x200.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
(Photo by Ezra Shaw\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Murray\u2019s rookie-scale contract will also change come this summer after the forward signed a five-year, $140 million extension earlier this season.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt all comes back to the veteran contracts,\u201d Anderson explained. \u201cSomething has to happen\u2026 or we\u2019re going to keep having these same issues.\u201d<\/p>\n
George echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that front office decisions come first.<\/p>\n
\u201cScott Perry can\u2019t really do anything significant\u2026 without addressing that veteran contract situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s also a basketball question: what is Achiuwa\u2019s long-term potential? A starter, or a high-level bench piece?<\/p>\n
\u201cIn my mind, he\u2019s a sixth or seventh man,\u201d George admitted. \u201cBut if I\u2019m paying $5 million for a really good sixth or seventh man, I\u2019m good with that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ultimately, this is the balancing act facing the Sacramento Kings.<\/p>\n
Precious Achiuwa wants to stay<\/a>. The team likely wants him back. But with financial constraints tightening, keeping one of their best stories may require difficult\u2014and potentially franchise-shaping\u2014moves this summer.<\/p>\n Listen to and watch Sactown Sports\u2019\u00a0The Matt & Kayla Show<\/a>\u00a0with Matt George & Kayla Anderson, airing weekdays from\u00a010 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT on Sactown Sports.<\/p>\n More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports<\/p>\n When is the next Sacramento Kings game?<\/p>\n The Sacramento Kings will conclude a two-game homestand on Sunday night against the Los Angeles Clippers.<\/p>\n Sacramento is 2-1 against the Clippers this season, as the Kings delivered a stunning 118-109 win against Los Angeles on the road during a matchup between the two Pacific Division foes on March 14th.<\/p>\n Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Clippers action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 4:30 PM PT on Game Night before a 6:00 pm PT tip-off from downtown Sacramento.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season<\/p>\n Sunday, April 5th vs. Los Angeles Clippers \u2013 6:00 PM PT Thank you for reading\u00a0SactownSports.com<\/a>. Follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Google News<\/a>, and subscribe to our\u00a0YouTube<\/a>\u00a0channel.<\/p>\n
\nTuesday, April 7th @ Golden State Warriors \u2013 7:00 PM PT
\nFriday, April 10th vs. Golden State Warriors \u2013 7:00 PM PT
\nSunday, April 12th @ Portland Trail Blazers \u2013 5:30 PM PT (End of season)<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SactownSportsEmail-300x250-1.jpg\")
\t
![](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SactownSportsEmail-830x100-1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n