Recent Precedent Overview<\/p>\n
It is not uncommon for first-round picks to get into this situation – especially lately. If you are not a max player, extension negotiations and free agency can be a cold world. The number of players who sign for salaries greater than the midlevel exception is dropping like a rock year over year.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There are a few recent examples of players who have found themselves in Achiuwa\u2019s situation over the last couple of seasons. Paul Reed, Jaxson Hayes, and Goga Bitadze all found themselves on minimum contracts. However, all were able to play themselves into larger deals.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Bitadze and Hayes are particularly instructive here. Both were first-round picks that, for one reason or another, did not stick with their original team. Bitadze was waived by the Pacers during the last year of his rookie scale contract, and Hayes signed on a minimum contract right after his rookie scale contract ended.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Here is what Precious Achiuwa\u2019s stats look like compared to these bigs, along with Dario Saric and Drew Eubanks, both of whom were on minimums and played themselves into larger contracts:\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Platform season stat comparison | James McCauley<\/p>\n
The numbers speak to the runway discussed earlier. Most of the comps were backups on good teams, while Achiuwa has been a regular starter on a bottom-5 team. The per-75 figures point to this unique situation, too. When adjusted to the same scale, Achiuwa\u2019s numbers do not stand out as much. So, teams may discount these numbers through a \u201csomeone has to get stats on bad teams\u201d lens.\u00a0<\/p>\n
However, Achiuwa has consistently shown the versatility that teams desire and that made him a highly regarded prospect coming out of Memphis.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kings Precious Achiuwa 28 PTS (12-19 FG, 1-2 3P), 19 REB (11 offensive), 1 AST, 1 BLK, +22 (+\/-) vs. Raptors<\/p>\n
Only player this season with 15+ PTS and 15+ REB in a half https:\/\/t.co\/6Eys6pt68T<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/iVcSWeUh2Q<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Role Player Performances (@BenchHighlights) April 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Athletic, mobile bigs like Achiuwa are not usually in-season finds like this.<\/p>\n Here is what these players\u2019 contracts (along with some other recipients) looked like after playing themselves out of minimum territory:\u00a0<\/p>\n NBA players on minimum contracts signed to > minimum | James McCauley<\/p>\n As you can see, the terms and means by which the player is signed can vary widely. However, the market is largely in the $3.5-$8M AAV range. Player options are common\u2014most of these players were UFAs, and the incumbent team probably needed to add an incentive for the player to stay with them.\u00a0<\/p>\n How Can the Kings Keep Achiuwa?\u00a0<\/p>\n Now that we have an understanding of Achiuwa\u2019s market and how he stacks up with recent comps, it is worth assessing whether the Kings can pay him market value. The short answer is that it depends. That certainly reads like a cop out, but it is the reality.\u00a0<\/p>\n Since Achiuwa is on a one-year contract, the Kings only have his Non-Bird rights. This means they can re-sign him for up to 120% of his prior salary through this mechanism (just under $3M).\u00a0<\/p>\n Considering that his vet minimum (around $3.3M) beats this figure, Sacramento will not bring Achiuwa back via Non Bird rights unless he has no market and wants to help save the Kings some money.\u00a0<\/p>\n While he has said he wants to stay<\/a> in Sacramento, it is also safe to assume Achiuwa will want to cash in on whatever market he may have, considering he began last season as a free agent. With that in mind, Sacramento will probably need to turn to its exceptions.\u00a0<\/p>\n Depending on where their cap sheet stands, Sacramento can use their NTMLE (~ $15M) (or a portion of it), their TMLE (~6M), or Biannual Exception (~$5.5M) to offer Achiuwa more money to stick around.\u00a0<\/p>\n So, the Kings will absolutely be able to retain Achiuwa if they want to. Given the cap restrictions they face, it would be surprising to see Sacramento offer something in the Kornet range without some other changes coming. The more realistic range is something slightly above his minimum, coming in around the TMLE, likely with a player option in year two.\u00a0<\/p>\n It is also worth noting that Sacramento\u2019s roster currently sits at 15 players with Killian Hayes, a first-round pick, and two seconds on the roster.\u00a0<\/p>\n Updated with the Hayes contract. SAC will be at the 15-man roster limit if it uses both 2RPs this summer. So, barring a trade\/waiver (Hayes is NGTD, DeRozan partial GTD)\/signing one of the 2RPs to a 2-way, they will be running this team back + the ’26 draft picks. pic.twitter.com\/wSDaoYQa0H<\/a><\/p>\n![\"NBA](\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_0,h_0\/c_fill,w_16,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/voltaxMediaLibrary\/mmsport\/inside_the_kings\/01knhtddanyp7rbd4p21.png\" "\\"NBA")
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