2. Immanuel Quickley: Triple-doubles and free-throw percentage
Immanuel Quickley, at just 22-years-old and only two seasons in, has already managed to create some buzz around his name. Quickley averaged 11.3 points during the 2021-22 season and in the last 22 games of the season, he averaged 16.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5 assists. He also received two third-place votes for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year.
Quickley led the Knicks franchise in triple-doubles this season and he can move up in the category in 2022-23. He is tied with Walt Bellamy at the No. 8 spot and would need six triple-doubles to pass Randle and Mark Jackson to claim the No. 4 spot.
Another category that Quickley can move up in during the upcoming season is free-throw percentage. Since being drafted by New York, his free-throw percentage has been great. He is No. 3, with a career average of 88.5% from the free-throw line.
Quickley could take the No. 1 spot from Mike Glenn and Kiki VanDeWeghe, whose franchise averages were 88.6%, if he improves his free-throw shooting by more than .01%.
Alec Burks became the team’s starting point guard over Quickley after Kemba Walker was dropped from the rotation. But Quickley’s late-season surge proved why he should have been given the position. If he continues playing the way he closed out 2021-22, there is no doubt that he can become a star in the league and continue to move up in these categories (and others).