Raptors

Report: Immanuel Quickley eager to be starting PG, wants to be paid $25M-$30M

Published by
Michael Kaskey-Blomain

Immanuel Quickley will be getting a fresh start after being traded from the New York Knicks to the Toronto Raptors. Moving forward, the 24-year-old guard is seeking a sizable contract and a larger role, according to Ric Bucher of Fox Sports.

“Quickley, the sources say, is eager to start as a scoring point guard and be paid in the $25 million-$30 million range, on par with Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson, who is in the second year of a four-year, $104 million deal,” Bucher wrote.

Quickley will be a restricted free agent next summer, which means that the Raptors will have the opportunity to match any outside offers he receives. Considering the fact that they just traded for the University of Kentucky product, it seems likely that they’ll want to keep him in Toronto.

The Knicks drafted Quickley in the first round (25th overall) of the 2020 NBA Draft. He appeared in 253 total games for New York, but he started in just 27. He averaged 12.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 24.1 minutes per performance in those games.

With Brunson thriving as the lead guard for the Knicks, there just wasn’t much additional on-court opportunity for Quickley in New York. Plus, with so much money already owed to Brunson, it seemed unlikely that the Knicks would have wanted to offer a second sizable contract to another relatively diminutive guard.

In Toronto, Quickley will likely get an opportunity to start and play more minutes than he did in New York. Plus, Toronto’s front office might be more willing to crack open the checkbook in order to retain Quickley. The team is clearly excited about his addition.

“Immanuel is a young, talented playmaker who we believe will provide a spark on both ends of the court,” Raptors president Masai Ujiri said in a statement.

In addition to Quickley, the Raptors also landed RJ Barrett and draft compensation in the trade from the Knicks. Meanwhile, the Raptors sent O.G. Anunoby, Malachi Flynn and Precious Achiuwa to New York.

Ultimately, how Quickley plays for the remainder of the season with the Raptors will go a long way toward determining just how big his next contract will be. If he’s able to take advantage of the opportunity and thrive in Toronto, it will certainly help his cause.

At the time of the trade, the Raptors were 12th in the standings in the Eastern Conference with a record of 12-19. It will be interesting to see what sort of impact the deal has on Toronto’s record moving forward.

Michael Kaskey-Blomain

Michael is an experienced writer, editor and reporter. He has covered the NBA and NFL for over a decade for a variety of outlets including CBS Sports, 247 Sports and Philly.com.

Published by
Michael Kaskey-Blomain

Recent Posts

Report: NBA GM believed Grizzlies would have had to shop Ja Morant this summer before they fired Taylor Jenkins

Earlier on in the year, long before the Memphis Grizzlies dismissed Taylor Jenkins after he…

1 hour ago

Ja Morant opens up about Grizzlies firing Taylor Jenkins: ‘It’s tough for me’

Guard Ja Morant suited up for the first time since the Memphis Grizzlies fired Taylor…

1 day ago

Tyrese Haliburton on ‘easy decision’ to name SGA MVP: ‘If you took a player poll, I’m sure he would win’

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a compelling case to win this season's MVP…

2 days ago

Report: ‘Early expectation’ is that Clint Capela will sign elsewhere this summer

Big man Clint Capela is in his fifth season playing for the Atlanta Hawks, and…

4 days ago

Stephen A. says LeBron is in his feelings: ‘Could it be because I don’t believe you’re the G.O.A.T.?’

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith claimed on Wednesday that if his confrontation with Los Angeles Lakers…

5 days ago

LeBron James reflects on 2007 Cavs roster that he took to NBA Finals: ‘How is that possible?’

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James recently reflected on the 2006-07 Cleveland Cavaliers and their…

6 days ago