The first quarter of the 2023-24 season has come and gone, meaning Immanuel Quickley could be close to entering his final days with the New York Knicks. He was extension-eligible over the offseason, but New York didn't want to commit starter money to him.
Quickley is set to hit restricted free agency next summer. Unlike unrestricted free agency, he won't have the choice to walk and leave the Knicks with nothing. New York can match any offer sheet that teams give IQ, but from a financial standpoint, the Knicks may have to step away and let him go.
Quickley is averaging a career-high 15 points per game, shooting 43.7% from the field and 37.7% from three. His minutes are down, though, from 28.9 per game last season to 24 minutes per game this season. The Donte DiVincenzo signing has cut into IQ's playing time.
Several teams would jump at the opportunity to add Quickley to their roster, with the Magic and Spurs already being labeled as two possible landing spots. Both Orlando and San Antonio can offer IQ more money than New York.
If the Knicks want to receive something in return for Quickley, they could include him in a deal before the Feb. 8 trade deadline.
It'd be in the Knicks' best interest to trade Immanuel Quickley
No Knicks fan wants to see New York trade Immanuel Quickley. If it happens, it'll be a sad day. However, the reality is that it may be in the organization's best interest to move on from him.
As The Athletic's Fred Katz noted, the Knicks could send Quickley or Quentin Grimes out alongside Evan Fournier to get a solid player in return (subscription required).
" The Knicks could attach Quickley or Grimes, whose minutes have dissipated amidst recent struggles, to Evan Fournier to bring back a player with a salary in the mid-$20 million range or less."Fred Katz, The Athletic
There are still nearly eight weeks left until the deadline, and if New York were to trade IQ, it likely wouldn't happen until the final hours. If there's a player the Knicks know is available they're interested in, IQ could help to make a deal work.
Quickley has had nothing but a positive attitude since being drafted in 2020. He doesn't speak out against his limited role or show any signs that he's unhappy in New York. He could easily be a starter on another team, something that won't happen for him with the Knicks.
If you thought the Obi Toppin trade was bad, wait until you see IQ flourish on a team like the Spurs. Fans should want what's best for him, but that doesn't mean it'll sting any less. As hard as it might be to admit, New York needs to seriously consider trading Quickley before the Feb. 8 deadline. Don't be like Toronto and wait until it's too late.