BREAKING: Immanuel Quickley, New York Knicks Fail to Reach Contract Extension
With its deadline having passed, Immanuel Quickley and the New York Knicks have not agreed to a long-term extension, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. That will make Quickley, 24, a restricted free agent, meaning the Knicks will be able to mach any potential offer, come next summer after his rookie contract expires after this coming season.
Quickley is set to enter his fourth season in New York after he was the 25th pick of the 2020 draft. Originally chosen by Oklahoma City, Quickley came to the Knicks through a draft night trade and has served as one of their most consistent contributors over the past four seasons.
Last year saw Quickley enjoy a consistent breakout to the tune of career-best averages in scoring (14.9) and rebounding (4.2) as he played all but one of the Knicks' 82 games. Quickley also rose as a reliable starter in case of injury emergencies in the backcourt, averaging 22.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists in 21 opening five appearances in place of RJ Barrett and Jalen Brunson. The Knicks posted a 12-9 record in those games.
For his efforts, Quickley finished in the runner-up spot in the most recent Sixth Man of the Year vote behind Malcolm Brogdon of Boston. Even with Donte DiVincenzo now in tow, Quickley is expected to be the first man off the Knicks' bench as they look to build upon their most successful season in a decade.
Wojnarowski noted that former Knick Obi Toppin, Quickley's New York draft classmate who went eighth overall and now of the Indiana Pacers, also did not receive a contract extension. Other notable 2020 picks who did not get extended included Precious Achuwa (Toronto), Saddiq Bey (Atlanta), and Patrick Williams (Chicago).
Quickley and the Knicks will tip off the 2023-24 season on Wednesday night when they host the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden (7 p.m. ET, ESPN).