New York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley is in line for a lucrative contract extension, with one NBA insider pointing out that his situation has left the team with a decision to make.
HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto noted that the Knicks essentially have to either extend Quickley (since he becomes a restricted free agent after next season) or think about trading him to an interested party.
“The Knicks are going to have to make a decision on Immanuel Quickley if they’re going to extend him or put him as part of a bigger trade package,” said Scotto. “He’s certainly increased his trade value after being a finalist for the Sixth Man of the Year award. In talking with people around the league, this is what I’ve gathered as far as looking at his value. At worst, his floor would be four years, $80 million. Then, you’re getting into a conversation of, to make sense for Quickley, is it in the four-year, $100 range? When Quickley started 21 games, he played well. He averaged 22.6 points on 47 percent shooting from the field and 40 percent from three, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. I get the sense Quickley enjoys his time in New York and wants to be there.”
Quickley was originally taken by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 25th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Shortly after, the Thunder sent him to the Knicks as part of a three-team deal that also involved the Minnesota Timberwolves.
During Quickley’s first two seasons in the NBA, he came off the bench almost exclusively and averaged more than 11 points per game during each campaign.
During the 2022-23 regular season, Quickley appeared in 81 games and came off the bench in 60 of them. He saw an uptick in his scoring production, averaging 14.9 points per game for the season. His surge in that area is perhaps the biggest reason why his price tag is on the rise.
Quickley’s starts this season came in different stints over the course of the year. His longest consecutive stretch in that role came from Dec. 27 to Jan. 9.
Getting immediate attention for his play during that period, Quickley scored 36 points during a loss against the San Antonio Spurs on Dec. 29. He followed that up with 27 points in a New Year’s Eve blowout of the Houston Rockets.
In the latter stages of the regular season, Quickley got some starts and made the most of the opportunities.
In a 55-minute performance against the Boston Celtics on March 5, he scored 38 to help the Knicks earn a double overtime win. He then tallied a career-high 40 points against the Houston Rockets on March 27. He nearly matched that on April 5 with 39 points against the Indiana Pacers before scoring 30 points in New York’s regular season finale against those same Pacers.
The Knicks have no doubt looked into the prospect of extending Quickley, though whether they come to an eventual agreement with him is anyone’s guess. Time will tell what the future holds for both sides.
