While the Sacramento Kings need a lot of work, the main area of concern is defense. That's why they brought Precious Achiuwa in, a noted and respected defender. And he has definitely boosted the Kings' defensive presence, though it's not a problem he can solve completely by himself.
The Kings' issues on defense have been going on for a long time. For several seasons, there was a focus on building a team that was driven primarily by offense. Without a reliable defense or consistent playmaking, it was impossible for that offense to take any kind of shape.
Now, there's a new head coach and front office who want to do something about that. The problem is that they're stuck with some very large contracts they need to trade, wait out, or pay out. And only two of those options are actually viable if the Kings want to build into the future.
Until they can make big moves, the Kings have made smaller moves, and that includes signing Achiuwa after the season started. He is a reliable bench player who is best known for his defense, though he does have explosive moments of brilliance on offense. He has delivered on that.
Precious Achiuwa is the first step on the Kings' defensive path
In the Kings' most recent loss to the Pacers, Achiuwa collected 11 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks. His numbers are generally solid, though there is some variation from game to game, just like any other player in the NBA.
What Achiuwa brings to the court on a regular basis can't be fully captured by the stats. He is a menace on defense, someone who finds ways to break up plays and make it hard for the opposition to maneuver. He's also the guy who shows up to help on defense when a teammate needs support.
Sure, that kind of effort leads to steals and blocks, but hustle isn't a stat since it's incredibly hard to measure. Plus, Achiuwa is there to score clutch baskets when the team needs them most. He's not going to drop 30 every game, but he's usually good for seven to eight points each outing.
Precious Achiuwa is a key building block in the rebuilding of the Kings' defensive presence. He's going to need help, though, which is why the next few years will be interesting to watch. Sacramento will be on the hunt for scorers who have the same commitment to defense as Achiuwa.