Toronto Raptors: Stock up, stock down after chaotic week

Stock Down: Precious Achiuwa

The 22-year-old Achiuwa earned the starting center role in the preseason, and he validates Nick Nurse’s decision by averaging a double-double in his first four games. While the Raptors have been picking up wins lately, Achiuwa hasn’t exactly been the main catalyst for those wins.

Achiuwa is putting up averages of 8.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. That doesn’t sound overly putrid at surface level, but when you look up and realize that he is only making 36% of his shots as a starting center in that time span, you start to wonder why Achiuwa is in the starting lineup.

Will Precious Achiuwa improve his finishing for the Toronto Raptors?

To make matters worse, in the middle of Achiuwa’s tough stretch against the Pacers, Khem Birch stepped up and made a solid case for an increased share of minutes. He was able to secure the paint, finish in the paint, and set up teammates with screens and passes, something Achiuwa hasn’t always been the best with.

Achiuwa is still a work in progress, and that’s fine. He’s 22, and it’s rare for a 6-8 center like Achiuwa to have everything down when he hasn’t even played 82 career games yet. Still, the Raptors need more out of their starting center, as they have a qualified veteran ready to replace him.