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Immanuel Quickley: New York Knicks' Top Trade Asset Beyond Jalen Brunson?

The New York Knicks have a big decision to make regarding Immanuel Quickley's future.

Jeremy Brener

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There are a lot of questions surrounding the future of New York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley: the 24-year-old and fourth-year pro is set to enter restricted free agency at the end of the season after he and the Knicks failed to agree to a long-term contract. 

In 19 games this season, Quickley is averaging a career-high 15.4 points per game and has played a key role in the Knicks' second unit. It will only be harder to let him walk in free agency, but his value on the trade market may never be higher.

New York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley defended by Miami Heat forward Caleb Martin
New York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley defended by Miami Heat forward Caleb Martin / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

That led Michael Scotto of HoopsHype to label Quickley one of the Knicks' top trade candidates, behind the long-exiled Evan Fournier. One anonymous NBA exec even told Scotto that Quickley "might be New York’s best trade asset besides Jalen Brunson."

"Quickley was offered around $18 million per year in extension talks, league sources told HoopsHype," Scotto notes. "However, Quickley was looking for closer to $25 million annually, league sources said."

The fact that the Knicks have Brunson signed to long-term deal ... not to mention big contracts for other backcourt dwellers like RJ Barrett and Donte DiVincenzo ... makes it hard to justify a $100 million contract to Quickley. If he's considered the Knicks' best trade asset apart from Brunson, it may behoove the Knicks to cash in on Quickley before he hits the market.

Quickley Joins Knicks Bench Royalty in Historic Start

But ditching Quickley, in the midst of his best NBA season and fresh off a runner-up finish in the most recent Sixth Man of the Year Award vote, while seeking to build upon the most successful season in a decade might not be the most attractive option for the Knicks. It's a quandary that has slowly snowballed into a problem for the Knicks ... but it's a pretty good problem to have, all things considered.

Quickley and the Knicks (12-7) return to action on Tuesday night against the Milwaukee Bucks (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG/TNT).

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Jeremy Brener
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.

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