The New York Knicks made a splash this NBA offseason when they signed point guard Jalen Brunson. It filled a major void in their lineup but left a lot of people wondering what it meant for the other young guards, such as Immanuel Quickley, that were already on the roster. It turns out, not a whole lot.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau identified Quickley as one of the key pieces to the team’s rotation early on and his playing time has not been impacted by the addition of Brunson. In fact, he has seen his role grow, as Quickley took over the lead ball-handling role off the bench from Derrick Rose.
The former Kentucky product showed that he can not only thrive in that role but is a capable starter as well. Since RJ Barrett injured his hand with a laceration to his finger caused by his bone breaking through the skin, Quickley has been the starter. His production has skyrocketed in an expanded role.
Averaging 41.3 minutes per game as a starter, Quickley is putting up 20.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 5.3 assists. His efficiency has improved as well with a shooting split of .446/.359/.821 compared to .404/.321/.849 coming off the bench.
Teams around the league have taken notice of his uptick in production. According to Michael Scott of HoopsHype, multiple teams have been checking in on his availability.
“Another Knicks player whose name has circulated in the rumor mill this season is Immanuel Quickley. Several teams, including the Bucks, Mavericks, Wizards, and others, have expressed interest in Quickley, league sources told HoopsHype.”
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Immanuel Quickley, Knicks, Bucks, Mavericks & Wizards Updates
New York hasn’t actively been shopping Quickley, but his name has come up a lot in trade rumors. There seems to be a robust market for Quickley, whom the Knicks were originally seeking a future first-round pick in exchange for. That price has almost certainly gone up with how well he has played in place of Barrett.
Eligible for a rookie extension this upcoming offseason, the Knicks have some difficult decisions to make in the coming weeks and months. Quickley has outperformed his draft position, as he was selected 25 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft. He will certainly be looking for a nice raise, but how much can the Knicks give him if he is destined to play a role off the bench when the team is healthy?
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Immanuel Quickley, Knicks, Bucks, Mavericks & Wizards Updates
Keep in mind, Obi Toppin, the No. 8 overall pick in the same draft, is also eligible for an extension. Given his limited role behind Julius Randle, it would not be surprising if the New York Knicks prioritized working out a deal with Quickley over Toppin.
