'True Professional' Immanuel Quickley Focuses on New York Knicks, Not Contract Extension
Even though Immanuel Quickley has a contract decision looming, he it not letting it affect his play or his mindset heading into the season.
Monday marks the deadline for Quickley to land a long-term contract extension with his rookie contract set to expire after this season. That means that he and the New York Knicks need to figure out what a potential deal would look like. If no deal is reached by Monday, Quickley will become a restricted free agent next summer
The young combo guard is heading into his fourth year with the Knicks and has been a very consistent performer. Quickley, a first-round pick in 2020, averaged a career-best 14.9 points per game this past season on just under 45 percent shooting from the floor. Most of his production came with the bench unit but Quickley proved to be a serviceable fill-in starter, averaging 22.6 points in 21 such appearances in place of RJ Barrett and/or Jalen Brunson.
New York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley has been a consistent performer, and the team is looking to sign him to an extension
Quickley is one of the frontrunners for the Sixth Man of the Year award this season after finishing in the runner-up spot in the most recent vote behind Malcolm Brogdon. He did not play in the Knicks' latter two preseason games, as head coach Tom Thibodeau said he was "nicked up," but he has been lauded for his putting team business first while his future is up in the air.
“Quick has been coming in every day to do his job. He’s had a great attitude," Brunson said, per Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News. "He’s mentally ready to go and that’s all you can ask of him. He’s been a true professional. I just know he’ll stay that way.”
Thibodeau is comfortable letting Quickley's situation play out in the front office, knowing his on-court play won't be sliding.
“The thing that I like about Quick is he’s had the same chip since we’ve had him. He had the chip at Kentucky. When you study his makeup, that’s who he is,” Thibodeau said. “He knows he’s a good player. He’s a gym rat, works on the game, and can really think on his feet. He has all the characteristics that you look for in a player."
Quickley and the rest of the Knicks will tip off regular season action on Wednesday night against the Boston Celtics (7 p.m. ET, ESPN).
