"When the Raptors finally parted ways with franchise legend Kyle Lowry in the 2021 offseason, Toronto completed a sign-and-trade with the Miami Heat that brought veteran Goran Dragic and young forward Precious Achiuwa up north. Dragic quickly became a non-factor, showing little urgency to play for a team he believed was far from his "higher ambitions," and soon he became public enemy number one in Toronto at that time."
"But Achiuwa, on the other hand, presented intrigue for Raptors fans, and I was definitely excited to see what he could bring to Toronto. As a guy just entering his second NBA season, his rookie campaign in Miami wasn't anything special, but I had high hopes that Achiuwa would fit well within Toronto's emerging young core - alongside guys like Scottie Barnes, OG Anunoby, and Gary Trent Jr. - with experienced vets like Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam still in the mix."
"Although there was hope he could develop into one of the Raptors' top defenders, there was still a lot of work to do before he could become a real threat. I remember the growing frustration among fans over some of Achiuwa's poor basketball IQ and limitations as a big man. His focus on improving his three-point shooting was commendable, but he often went through stretches where his shot was simply ineffective."
The Raptors completed a sign-and-trade sending Kyle Lowry to Miami and acquiring Goran Dragic and Precious Achiuwa. Dragic became a non-factor and drew heavy fan criticism. Achiuwa entered his second NBA season with promise, earning a starting role and a 2022 Rising Stars selection, and fit within Toronto's young core on paper. Early optimism faded as inconsistency, perceived poor basketball IQ, and limitations as a big man emerged. Efforts to improve three-point shooting produced stretches of ineffectiveness, and overall inconsistency prevented Achiuwa from reaching breakout expectations in Toronto.
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