Why There's 'Optimism' For Immanuel Quickley, Knicks Extension

Lingering optimism has emerged for those who want to see Sixth Man of the Year contender Immanuel Quickley ink a long-term deal for the New York Knicks.

Tick tock, Mr. Quickley.

Opening night isn't the only countdown that the New York Knicks' front office is working toward: two days before they face the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 24, the Knicks will know whether Immanuel Quickley is a lock to return for the following opener in 2024. That's the deadline to to offer Quickley a long-term contract as the rookie deal he signed as the 25th pick of the 2020 draft is set to expire after this coming campaign. 

The backup backcourt man is coming off a career-best season, one that saw him average a career-best 14.9 points and 4.2 rebounds en route to runner-up honors in the Sixth Man of the Year vote.

With that in mind, the odds seem stacked against Quickley sticking around in New York for the long-term as his rookie contract nears its end. The sixth man reportedly wants nine figures and the Knicks are already burdened with several $100 million deals, even before the superstar they supposedly seek joins the fold. 

Bob DeChiara, USA TODAY Sports

Knicks insider Fred Katz of The Athletic, however, says that a more positive outlook has formed behind the scenes.

"It’s been nearly three months since Quickley became eligible for this extension, but that’s not necessarily cause for concern," Katz writes while listing Quickley's future as one of the Knicks' top preseason storylines. "Based on conversations I’ve had with people in the know, there is optimism that a deal can get done. This is a 24-year-old who is already one of the team’s best players. He’s coming off his best season ever. Chances are, Quickley will continue to improve."

"The intuitive move is to lock in young talent, and that may be what happens."

Katz notes that such an extension would hamper the Knicks' ability to trade for the supposed star. At only 24 and apparently reaching the height of his powers, Quickley would be one of the best, if not the best, assets the Knicks could offer as they try to land the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, or Donovan Mitchell. 

But, Katz declares, an extension would only temporarily tinker with the idea of making Quickley the headliner of a deal. He even listed recent historical precedence for such a theory.

"Chances are, a player the Knicks want won’t ask out during the season," he said." Trades for MVP-caliber players happen more often during the offseason, not at the trade deadline. Quickley is a crucial part of the puzzle. And we have evidence about how the Knicks handle themselves in these situations, too."

"RJ Barrett was in the same situation last autumn when New York inked him to a four-year, $107 million deal. They didn’t agree until September. The Knicks were after a star then, and Barrett was subject to the same CBA weirdness that affects Quickley now. They deemed locking up Barrett a priority, anyway."