One of Nigeria’s star players in the country’s men’s basketball national team, D’Tigers’ squad to this year’s Olympic Games, Precious Achiuwa has popped up in a player-swap deal that could see him leave Miami Heat of America to their NBA league rivals, Toronto Raptors.
Megasportsarena.com reports that this is sequel to a report linking Achiuwa with ongoing efforts by The Raptors’ Nigerian-born president, Masai Ujiri to hook him in an exchange deal that would involve Kyle Lowry moving in the opposite direction from Toronto.
Achiuwa could, therefore, be on the verge if leaving The Heat’s Nigerian-born star, Bam Adebayo behind in Miami, where the US national team player has settle firmly in recent months, unlike his pal, who could not save D’Tigers from suffering three straight defeats in Tokyo.
However, despite his ineffective outing with D’Tigers in The Land of The Rising Sun, where they lost all their group games against Australia, Germany and Italy, Ahiuwa’s efforts caught the eye of many scouts and The Raptors are now moving for his signature.
Achiuwa could now be on the road to leaving Adebayo behind at the Miami-based side that also recently had veteran player Andre Iguodala on their cards, as The Heat are reportedly thinking in the same line with The Raptors about a deal for Lowry.
A report by Yahoo Sports’ Cody Taylor added: The Heat are prepared to offer The Raptors a sign-and-trade package that includes Goran Dragic and Precious Achiuwa for Lowry after free agency opens at 6 p.m. EDT. The Heat could also include future draft assets, as well.
Lowry is reportedly seeking $30 million annually over multiple years on his next contract. He has long been open to the idea of joining Jimmy Butler in Miami and has apparently held the organization in high regard recently.
Miami picked up its $19.4 million team option on Dragic’s contract on Sunday, paving the way for the team to use it in trade negotiations. The Raptors could eventually flip Dragic to another team after acquiring him from The Heat.
The inclusion of Achiuwa in the potential deal would give The Raptors a promising young player they can add to their core.
Achiuwa, who was the 20th overall pick last year, averaged five points and 3.4 rebounds in 12.1 minutes per game last season, plus eight points and 4.7 rebounds with Nigeria in the Tokyo Olympics.
With Lowry expected to test free agency, the Raptors are motivated to find a trade for him to avoid losing him for nothing. The trade with Miami could net them a promising young player in Achiuwa and a player in Dragic that they can flip again for future assets or players.
The start of free agency is always a frenzy in the NBA and this year should prove to be no different with Miami and Toronto expected to get things kicked off quickly.
