Grading all Raptors newcomers as postseason push heats up

Precious Achiuwa

This grade would’ve been much lower if this piece was written before the All-Star break, as Achiuwa’s lack of consistency and dominance on the offensive end would get even the most patient Raptors fans irritated. Luckily, Achiuwa has grown up before our very eyes on that end.

Achiuwa is averaging 13.0 points since the All-Star break while his 3-point shot has proven to be a valuable weapon for this attack. Considering how Toronto has lacked some serious bite on offense of late, Achiuwa has clearly been their best bench player in this stretch.

Precious Achiuwa is coming into his own for the Toronto Raptors.

Achiuwa’s defense was his saving grace early in the season, and it has remained excellent in the second half. For a second-year player with just one year of college, his ability to both defend multiple positions and handle bigger centers despite his height disadvantage has been very promising.

Precious won’t get out of the B tier until he becomes a better interior finisher, as he is still good for blowing one very makeable shot around the rim every game. Once he corrects that flaw, he will start to remind the Raptors fanbase why Masai Ujiri valued him so highly in the Kyle Lowry talks.

Grade: B+