The New York Knicks and Immanuel Quickley failed to strike a deal on a long-term contract extension before the rookie-scale contract extension deadline on October 23. As a result, Quickley will test his value as a restricted free agent this offseason. Teams with money to spend will be vying to offer him a deal that he can’t refuse and one the Knicks won’t match. Because of this, the future of the young combo guard is up in the air. Through seven games of his age-24 season, Quickley is averaging 14.6 points per game on 47.4% shooting from the field. Draft class contemporaries of his have received contract extensions in the range of $100 million and more. Most notably, the Timberwolves’ Jaden McDaniels earned a $136 million contract extension over five years. In New York, on the other hand, Quickley’s future is questionable.
The Knicks’ top brass have some decisions to make regarding this roadblock of sorts in the young career of Quickley. The question remains: what’s the right move? Should the Knicks pay Quickley? The contract range would also likely be in the $100+ million range over four to five seasons. If the Knicks decide not to open their checkbooks, the only viable option would be to look for a trade. That’s where the fun begins.
NBA Rumors: New York Knicks Shopping Immanuel Quickley?
In deciding what to do with Quickley, the Knicks have some pondering to do. Will Quickley be a major focus if re-signed going into the future? Will he break out and demand a role in the starting lineup through stellar play? After handing out a long-term contract, will the Knicks look to use it as a filler for a trade? The possibilities are interesting at this point in time, but for this scenario, we’ll discuss what follows if the Knicks pay Quickley or trade him.
The Pay Route
If the Knicks are willing to pay Quickley, the prospects for the team’s flexibility take a hit. This season, Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson have a base salary of $25.6 million and $26.3 million, respectively. This is without mentioning that RJ Barrett has a $23.8 million price tag, though he’s shown it to be deserved so far. If Quickley is given a similar contract extension to the likes of Jaden McDaniels’, he will rise to the number one spot on the salary cap sheet. That is right; Quickley will presumably be the highest-paid player on the New York Knicks if a deal is matched. Regarding roster construction, Quickley’s contract would play a major role in every personnel decision for the team going forward.
With Evan Fournier’s contract still lurking on the Knicks payroll, one could assume that the money for Quickley could become available. Fournier’s contract expires at the end of this season, given that the Knicks declined his $19 million team option for 2024-25. Though it would clear up space for one season, a long-term deal for Quickley could be detrimental to team building. This especially rings true if a suitor offers Quickley a deal he can’t refuse this offseason. Signing Quickley to a four- to five-year extension effectively locks the Knicks into financial limbo. As a result, their future is yet again in question. Because of this possible juncture, the Knicks’ best option would be to get value out of Quickley through a trade.
The Trade Route: Karl-Anthony Towns
If the Knicks want to make moves before the trade deadline on February 8, 2024, they can swing for the fences. In this case, packaging Quickley and several big contracts could be enough to land a star. One of the rumblings being reported lately involves the Timberwolves’ All-Star center, Karl-Anthony Towns. Though he’s come out of the gates struggling in 2023, Towns is a proven scorer in the NBA. Averaging 23 points per game in eight seasons, Towns is one of the deadliest shooters at the center position the game has ever seen. A career 39.2% three-point shooter, he would re-shape the way the Knicks’ offense is set.
In recent team history, the Knicks have rarely possessed a big man with the threat of an outside shot. Although the Knicks have Randle to space the floor at the power forward position, Towns could help the Knicks’ offense take another leap forward. The mix of size and spacing could unlock a perfect storm for New York. Of course, the defensive potential of a team constructed around Brunson, Randle, and Towns would not be ideal. Sadly, substituting the defense and rebounding of Mitchell Robinson could very well cause mayhem on the other side of the ball.
The Trade Route: OG Anunoby
Another rumored landing spot for Quickley could be Toronto in exchange for the six-foot-seven swing-man OG Anunoby. Anunoby has been heavily involved in trade talks for the better part of the last two seasons. A skilled defender and capable scorer at the small forward position, Anunoby is a player that every team could use – especially New York. It had even been rumored that the Knicks tried to trade Quickley for Anunoby back at last year’s trade deadline. In this world, the Knicks and Raptors agree to pull the trigger, making Anunoby a Knick.
Hypothetically, Anunoby would mesh incredibly well with the personnel in New York. He would fit right in with their rugged defense, highlighted by Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo. Averaging 16.2 points on 42.5% shooting from three, Anunoby could effectively slide in as the Knicks starting small forward. A lineup of Brunson, Barrett, Anunoby, Randle, and Robinson could operate in harmony. Anunoby can make up for lapses in defense and contribute when his number is called in transition. Entering his seventh season, Anunoby is also a proven shooting threat, with a 37.7% career three-point percentage. Keeping defenders honest with Anunoby on the perimeter can open up the lane even more for Brunson, Randle, and Barrett.
