2: Immanuel Quickley
The Knicks picked up Immanuel Quickley’s fourth-year option and he’s eligible to sign an extension in the offseason. However, there’s a possibility that he may not be in New York this summer based on trade reports.
It’s been reported that the Knicks have been listening to trade calls for Quickley and are looking to get a first-round pick back in a potential deal. Most recently, Fred Katz of The Athletic reported (subscription required) that New York is willing to attach either Quickley or Reddish to Fournier in a trade, which is something that has understandably upset fans.
Fournier’s poor play and contract make things harder on the Knicks in trade talks, although they’re the only ones to blame after signing him to a four-year, $78 million deal ahead of the 2021-22 season. If Quickley — the No. 25 pick in 2020 — is sent packing with Fournier, that’d be an awful decision by the front office.
Given that Derrick Rose isn’t in Thibodeau’s nine-man rotation and has been linked to the Mavericks, the Knicks need to keep Quickley now that he’s finally been granted more playing time and doesn’t have to play behind veterans.