The Toronto Raptors are set to lock up their new franchise point guard. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Immanuel Quickley intends to sign a five-year $175 million contract with the Toronto Raptors. Securing Quickly as a part of the team’s long-term future. This comes less than a week after Toronto announced reaching a contract extension with all-star Scottie Barnes for $227 million fully guaranteed with a max of $270 million.
ESPN Sources: Guard Immanuel Quickley intends to sign a five-year, $175 million contract to stay with the Toronto Raptors. Quickley arrived in trade with Knicks and established himself as a cornerstone player for Toronto. pic.twitter.com/7jtWabVxmr
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 28, 2024
Toronto Raptors Secure Key Free Agent
Quick to Impress
Quickley impressed as the Raptors starting point guard. In 38 games with the club, he averaged 18.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 6.8 assists with almost a steal per game. The young guard shot the ball lights out from deep, knocking down nearly 40% of his threes with the Raptors. Quickley is a high-level off-the-dribble three-point shooter, knocking down 37% of his pull-up threes. Quickley’s playmaking grew rapidly with Toronto. He recorded nine games with 10 or more assists with the Raptors including a career-high 18 against the Phoenix Suns.
Quickley proved to be a reliable scorer dropping 20 or more points in over half of his games during his time in Toronto. Many of them came without Barnes or RJ Barrett playing. After coming off the bench to start his career, Quickley has taken advantage of his new opportunity with the Raptors. He blossomed into a quality starter with the Raptors starting in each of his 38 games with the team.
His new contract will average $35 million a season and will make Quickley the 18th highest-paid point guard in the league according to Spotrac. While the deal is banking on Quickley’s continued improvement. It’s important to remember that the salary cap is rising and is expected to rise for the next few years. Quickley’s contract will eat up 25% of the cap in the 2024-25 season that percentage will decrease as the contract ages.
Building a new era
Toronto acquired Quickley as well as Barrett in a midseason trade with New York. The two former Knicks alongside Barnes, Gradey Dick, and rookie Ja’Kobe Walter give the Raptors a young core to build from. Toronto is looking to add to its young core. Taking flyers out on two former lottery picks Ochai Agbaji and Davion Mitchell. As well as adding three second-round picks from this year’s draft Jonathan Mogbo, Jamal Shead, and Ulrich Chomche. Toronto has brought in a swell of new young talent and is set to start their rebuild and get back to competing. The front office is in no rush and will give this young group the needed time to develop.
A New Franchise Point Guard
The Raptors hope Quickley can become the franchise point guard. A hole that was once filled by Fred VanVleet before he left in free agency to the Houston Rockets. Toronto has been lacking a true star point guard since Kyle Lowry was traded in the 2020-21 season. Quickley isn’t quite on that level yet. But with precise shooting touch, passing feel, and a high motor Toronto is hopeful Quickley can be their star point guard.
