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3 Reasons the Knicks need to extend Immanuel Quickley immediately

By Zachary Bachar

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 03: Immanuel Quickley #5 of the New York Knicks in action against the Dallas Mavericks at Madison Square Garden on December 03, 2022 in New York City NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Dallas Mavericks defeated the New York Knicks 121-100. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 03: Immanuel Quickley #5 of the New York Knicks in action against the Dallas Mavericks at Madison Square Garden on December 03, 2022 in New York City NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Dallas Mavericks defeated the New York Knicks 121-100. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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Immanuel Quickley, New York Knicks. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Immanuel Quickley, New York Knicks. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

2: Cheaper contract due to poor playoff performance

While a player struggling isn’t usually a sign that they should be handed a long-term contract, the opposite is true with Quickley. There is no sugarcoating his offensive numbers in this past postseason, averaging just 9.0 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 0.5 steals per game on ghastly 35-24-85 shooting splits.

His process on offense became rushed, often visibly hesitating between passing and shooting before ultimately doing neither well. He suited up in eight contests before Bam Adebayo collided with him in Game 3 against Miami, resulting in an ankle sprain that caused him to miss the rest of the postseason.

However, this also means that a deal will almost certainly be a bit cheaper than if he had carried his regular season numbers into the playoffs. While the latter outcome would have been ideal from a pure winning standpoint, this is an acceptable consolation prize.

If the Knicks wait until next summer’s free agency to re-sign him, Quickley has a full season to boost his value even further. This could result in a rebuilding team with lots of salary cap space signing him to an offer that New York won’t have the money to match.

After the recent Obi Toppin trade for two protected second-round picks, having both 2020 first-rounders leave for almost nothing in a one-year span would be a disaster.

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