2020 NBA Draft: Grading the New York Knicks picks and trades
Grading New York Knicks picks in the 2020 NBA Draft: Immanuel Quickley
The Knicks entered the draft with two clear needs: playmaking and shooting. They will need to address their playmaking issues through free agency or via trade, but by securing Kentucky guard Immanuel Quickley, they have added a tremendous shooter.
The 6-foot-3 guard shot an incredible 42.8 percent from downtown during his sophomore season in Lexington. He scored 1.38 points per dribble jump shot in the half court, which ranks him in the 99th percentile of college players, per Synergy tracking data. His floater ranks in the 81st percentile. Whether in spot-up situations, pulling up off the dribble, or coming around screens, Quickley is a lethal shooter.
New York will receive criticism for selecting a Kentucky product with the 25th overall pick, when some mocks had him pegged for the second round. Having played for current Knicks assistant Kenny Payne at Kentucky, Quickley had a friendly voice to promote his game.
While it is fair to mention the connection between the Knicks and Kentucky, Quickley was a top 25-ranked prospect out of high school. He then played at one of the top programs in the country and developed into the SEC Player of the Year. In a draft without clear consensus outside of the top few picks, it’s debatable whether Quickley was actually a reach at 25.