Heading into training camp this year, there aren’t a lot of headlines surrounding the New York Knicks. They brought back nearly their entire roster from last season, as they will feature some of the best chemistry and cohesion in the NBA early on.
The only rotation change made was Obi Toppin getting traded to the Indiana Pacers. He will be replaced in some capacity by free agent signing Donte DiVincenzo, who has plenty of experience playing alongside Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart from their days at Villanova.
The biggest storyline involving the team is, what will happen with Immanuel Quickley? Heading into his fourth season in the NBA, Quickley is eligible for a contract extension in training camp. The two sides have until the eve of the regular season to hammer out a deal, as they are working hard to come to a compromise.
Much like the Knicks as a whole, Quickley is someone who is garnering attention in the basketball world. He has become an integral part of Tom Thibodeau’s rotation in New York and has outperformed even the loftiest expectations after being selected No. 25 in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Over at ESPN, Zach Lowe put together a piece highlighting the five most intriguing players in the NBA heading into the 2023-24 season. Quickley made his list because of the wide-ranging possibilities involving him.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Immanuel Quickley & New York Knicks Updates
As mentioned already, the extension talk is topic No. 1. What kind of long-term projections do the Knicks or other teams around the NBA have for him? How big of an offer sheet would he receive on the open market?
That is something New York is trying to figure out. Is Quickley a high-end super sixth-man who can start in a pinch? Or does he have the skill set where he can develop into a full-time starter? That perception matters as he could be used as part of a blockbuster deal to bring an established star to New York in a trade.
His skill set offensively has been developing, as Quickley developed a wide range or floaters and finishing touches in the paint. His playmaking is coming along as a willing playmaker at times. But, he is someone who is looking to score, as Lowe noted he is near the bottom of the league in assist percentage in pick-and-roll situations.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Immanuel Quickley & New York Knicks Updates
His effectiveness on offense has waned in both postseason appearances he has been a part of. That likely limits his upside as a full-time starter, but he can be a useful rotation piece. Defensively he gets the job done, but at times was hunted by opponents in the postseason.
Part of that is because the Knicks are limited when it comes to size on the perimeter. When he and Brunson are paired together, one of them will be hunted by bigger shooting guards and wings in the opponent’s lineup.
But, Quickley is active on that side of the court and is a positive on defense more often than not. What the Brunson-Quentin Grimes-Quickley trio accomplished last season was astounding and something to keep an eye on this season as well.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Immanuel Quickley & New York Knicks Updates
The skill set and work ethic are there for Quickley to take his game to another level. The biggest question will be whether or not that comes in New York. The Knicks would love to keep him and Thibodeau is a big fan of his, but he could be the missing piece in a trade package to elevate this franchise to true contender status.
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