Precious Achiuwa will make his first start of the season in place of the sidelined Josh Hart. This comes as Achiuwa returns from a hamstring injury, having recorded 30 rebounds in his first five games back, highlighting his potential impact on the Knicks' frontcourt against the Timberwolves.

Achiuwa, signed to a one-year, $6 million deal, waived his no-trade clause, making him a pivotal trade asset for the Knicks as they explore options leading up to the Feb. 6 deadline. His eligibility for trade starting Dec. 15 is crucial for the Knicks to enhance their roster amid the constraints of the new CBA.

Precious Achiuwa is considered a potential trade asset for the Knicks as they look to bolster their bench depth. However, he cannot be traded until December 15 due to the terms of his recent contract, which complicates the Knicks' ability to make immediate moves to address their center position needs.

Precious Achiuwa's original draft position was No. 20, and he is noted for his fluctuating performance, often appearing too low or too high on rankings depending on the night. His versatility can be a double-edged sword, making it challenging to pin down his value consistently.

Precious Achiuwa recently returned from a hamstring injury, contributing to the Knicks' 125-101 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. His return is a positive sign for New York, which is dealing with the absence of Mitchell Robinson and is in need of depth at the center position.