The Miami Heat announced they have waived Gabe Madsen to create a roster spot for center/forward Precious Achiuwa. Achiuwa, the team’s 2020 first-round pick, returns to Miami after stints with the Toronto Raptors and New York Knicks.
Shams Charania of ESPN reported the agreement, while Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald noted the contract is fully non-guaranteed. The move does not push the Heat over the luxury tax threshold, allowing flexibility for the 2025–26 preseason roster.
Achiuwa, 25, spent his rookie season in Miami before a 2021 sign-and-trade sent him to Toronto in the deal for Kyle Lowry. Since then, he has developed into a versatile big man capable of guarding multiple positions and contributing on both ends of the floor.
Last season with New York, Achiuwa averaged 6.6 points and 5.6 rebounds across 49 games while shooting 50.2 percent from the field. He also added 0.8 steals per game, showcasing his defensive activity, although free-throw shooting remains a weakness at 59.4 percent in 2023–24.
For his career, Achiuwa has averaged 7.6 points and 5.7 rebounds over 320 regular-season games. He has also appeared in 26 playoff games with the Heat, Raptors, and Knicks, providing valuable postseason experience.
Madsen, 24, had signed an Exhibit-10 contract with the Heat on July 26, giving Miami his G League rights if waived. The deal included a potential bonus of up to $85,300 for staying with the team’s affiliate for 60 days. Madsen impressed in the Summer League, scoring 22 points in one game and shooting 51.9 percent from three-point range across multiple contests.
Despite Madsen’s strong Summer League performance, the Heat opted to prioritize Achiuwa’s return for his frontcourt depth. Miami enters training camp with limited options behind Bam Adebayo, with Thomas Bryant and Orlando Robinson providing rotational minutes last season.
Achiuwa’s familiarity with the Heat system and defensive versatility give coach Erik Spoelstra additional options for small-ball lineups and frontcourt rotations. His performance in training camp and preseason games will determine whether he secures a permanent roster spot.
