Tom Thibodeau Loves 'Everything!' About New York Knicks Sixth Man Immanuel Quickley

Tom Thibodeau is a massive fan of New York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley, even in the midst of a turbulent contract situation.

Jeremy Brener | Oct 14, 2023

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New York Knicks

New York Knicks point guard Immanuel Quickley is about to embark on the most important season of his four-year NBA career.

Quickley is entering the final year of his rookie deal and is set to become a restricted free agent at season's end. If it were up to Tom Thibodeau, the Knicks would probably sign him to an extension.

"I love Quick," Thibodeau said (h/t SNY). "Everything about him. The best part is that he's serious. He loves the gym, he loves to play, he's always working on something. (We) couldn't ask for anything more."

But that isn't all that Thibodeau loves about the Sixth Man of the Year. He also appreciates his selflessness.

New York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley and coach Tom Thibodeau / © Vincent Carchietta, USA TODAY

"I think he's been able to put that aside," Thibodeau said regarding Quickley's contract situation. "I think his agent handles that, he locks into basketball and that's where his focus lies, his team [and] winning."

New York management faces a deadline of Oct. 23, two days before the team's regular season begins, to offer Quickley an extension.

Last season, Quickley averaged 14.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists for the Knicks in his best statistical campaign to date. His efforts were rewarded with a runner-up finish in the Sixth Man of the Year vote behind Boston's Malcolm Brogdon.

Quickley is a restricted free agent at season's end, meaning the Knicks can match any offer he gets on the open market. But after the Knicks signed Jalen Brunson to a massive deal in the summer of 2022, the decision is more complex. The Kentucky alum is reportedly seeking a nine-figure deal in his first trip into free agency.

But if Quickley keeps working in the gym and continues to improve and impress Thibodeau, the Knicks may have no choice but to bring him back regardless of the price.

Quickley and the Knicks are back in preseason action on Saturday at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG2).

Published Oct 14, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.