The Knicks‘ reported willingness to trade Immanuel Quickley is related to their long-term goal of making a deal for a star, explains Fred Katz of The Athletic. New York is seeking a first-round pick for Quickley, according to Katz, who writes that New York’s front office may believe that a first-rounder from another team is more valuable in a potential trade than Quickley, who will be eligible for a rookie-scale extension next summer.
Quickley has been part of the team’s rotation since his rookie season, and his game has evolved over time. Katz notes that he was originally relied on for instant offense off the bench, but his efficiency has declined and he’s now shooting a career-worst 30.9% on three-pointers. However, Quickley’s defense has gotten better, he pushes the pace in transition and is relentless in pursuing loose balls. He has value to the organization, but management may not want to pay whatever he can get in an extension or in restricted free agency.
Katz points out that Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, RJ Barrett and Quentin Grimes will earn a combined $97MM in the 2024/25 season, which would be the first year of an extension for Quickley or Obi Toppin. If they both sign for roughly the mid-level exception, the Knicks will have about $120MM tied up for seven players. Assuming a salary cap of $140MM, the team would have limited resources to complete its roster, without considering new deals for Cam Reddish, Isaiah Hartenstein and Jericho Sims.
There’s more on the Knicks:
- Robinson was ruled out of Monday’s game in the fourth quarter because of pain in his right knee, writes Peter Botte of The New York Post. It’s the same condition that recently caused him to miss eight games, but the team isn’t overly concerned. “Just a little soreness. To be expected,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “I thought he gave us really good minutes in the first half. But it’ll be a work in progress each day. (Tuesday) will be a good day for recovery and rehab. But he’s coming along.”
- Derrick Rose‘s toe injury has created an opportunity for second-year guard Miles McBride, Botte adds. McBride got into just four of the team’s first 16 games, but he played 29 combined minutes in the last two. “Good energy, good ball pressure. It’s good to see him out there,” Thibodeau said. “He’s worked extremely hard. So I’m expecting good things from him.” Rose will be reexamined today as the team returns home after a five-game road trip.
- Grimes made a statement in his return to the starting lineup on Sunday, Botte notes in a separate story. Grimes, who had been out of the rotation, handed out a career-high eight assists to go with 10 points and five rebounds. “I don’t think I ever thought I blew (my chance), he said. “I know who I am and the way Thibs feels about me, and the organization. I just had to wait for my opportunity, and it was gonna come. … You gotta be ready for the opportunity when it comes, and I feel like it came today and I made the most of it.”
Quickley is trash. No one is giving up a 1st for him, doubtful even a projected late 1st.
I’m not necessarily going to buy into a reporter’s speculation, but if the Knicks FO thinks they’re getting a 1st in return for IQ, they’re delusional. I doubt you could even get a late 1st for him. I love his energy and his defense, as noted, is improved, but his offense has not gotten any better and may even be slightly worse than when he first entered the league. Those shooting numbers are pretty rough.
Also, if he could manage to stay healthy for a few months, I could see the Knicks trying to deal Mitchell Robinson. Sims provides a lot of the same skills and he’s way cheaper. No idea what return Robinson would bring, probably very little considering his contract.
Agreed – IQ is trending in the wrong direction. I loved his rookie year, then last year #s were down, and then this year even worse.
He’s a Lou Will esque player best case scenario IMO – but those shooting splits aren’t worthy of handing over the second unit.
Katz is FOS. I don’t think the Knicks are down on IQ at all, and I’d be shocked if they gave him away for less than a 1st or equivalent. There’s a minutes logjam on the perimeter, and the Knicks are not a great team, so it makes sense to listen on him and Rose. He’s in year 3 of this RSC, so the timing is sort of now or never there. But he’s still seeing regular minutes, which is what defines his status within the team, not what a guy like Katz thinks or wants to write.
IQ’s situation is constantly mischaracterized. His game has not declined, it’s advanced. He was a wing player when he got here (he played mostly as a 3 in college), and has been trying to transition into more of a PG. His shooting percentages have suffered, but at least some of that should have been expected (the looks are not going to be same). He’s made strides in almost every other area. I expect his 3 pt percentage to improve.
I’m also skeptical that the FO is that concerned about cap space 3 years out. For many reasons, including the fact that cap space is not the asset it was. Largely because true free agency (where players sign outright with another team) is almost dead for stars. There’s another CBA to be negotiated, but, while other issues have been bandied about, I’ve heard nothing about teams wanting to establish real free agency.
Knicks and Dolan don’t care about cap space. If they have to go over they will. More concerning is who they trade for. And who goes. Then the cap will look different again.
Knicks have so much money tied up in at best mediocre players
Please tell us who ??
Weird question to ask considering basically everybody on that Knicks team is Mediocre or worse. Fournier Randle RJ Brunson Robinson. Shall I go on??
I wasn’t a huge proponent of trading Randle prior to the season but 20 games in I’m changing course.
Either that or bring him off the bench (which will never happen). I just think a S5 of Brunson-Grimes-RJ-Obi-[insert one of our 7 centers] is probably the best balances lineup this roster has to offer.
RJ and Randle are ill-suited for each other – especially if we’re insisting on playing a traditional 5
“RJ and Randle are ill-suited for each other”
I agree. Randle is a bit more ball-dominant, but both shoot a lot of perimeter shots at a low rate. Couple that with Brunson’s poor 3 point shooting as well as Quickley’s (and Fournier’s) poor shooting and it’s easy to see why the Knicks are struggling to get over .500. Toppin, weirdly enough, has been one of their best 3 point shooters. So is Rose, who I think they should trade unless their goal is simply to make the playoffs.
Quickley is worth a 1st. He’s avg 21.6 mins for a 142 gms first 2 yrs,’ 18 gms this yr. He’s still growing as a player. If you watch him and know what to watch for. You can see his handle has gotten tighter. His D has gotten better. And he’s gotten better playing the Point. This is a guy who still got upside. His shooting %s are down this yr. But it’s only 18 gms.
Went for 18 pts, 3 reb. 4 ast against Thunder in 25 mins. If He can get the PG down. And he’s learn alot from Rose, plays like him. He can be a solid rotation piece. And can start at times. With Jalen here now. Quickley is not going to get mins. He can help Lakers and worth a#1 from them. Imo he’s worth more in a trade for us than a late pick.
Like I’ve been saying since the DM trade didn’t go down. A trade is coming. And it will probably happen after Jan 15.
Mitch, Randle, Quickley, Rose, Fournier, picks should all be in play.
I have always been a McBride guy. Liked him more than Grimes at draft. Was happy to get both. But now with Jalen here. It’s obvious Quickley and Rose will be moved. McBride plays a lot like Jalen. I think he’s a better defender. He’s a more a true PG who plays both ways. He can handle backup PG. As he grows as a player. Seems to me Thibs is finally giving Grimes and McBride their due.
So for all those Thibs haters. These are two late draft picks. He’s developed who are starting their SECOND yr. If you listen. develop, stay ready You Will Play. Seems their time is coming.
For the Brunson Haters ….. keep hating
34 pts, 9 ast, 70% FG, 73.3% FT in a win over Thunder. (Grimes and McBride tough D). A team that spanked us in Garden.
Year Three I’d rebuild underway …….
Sorry that’s 83.3% FT ……
Lmaooo congratulations on beating the Oklahoma City Thunder. Quite an accomplishment.
Yes, Brunson had one good 34 point game, it’s 34 point performances every game now from here on out. That’s not how this works lol.
Brunson is okay, but that roster (and franchise) is hot garbage.
Yeah exactly how it works. Come back when you learn the game. I don’t laugh at the geniuses. Cause it’s sad to have answers about something you clearly don’t get.
After 9-9, 18 gms which clearly they aren’t playing consistently well yet.
32.6 mins, 21 pts, 3.4 reb, 6.7 ast. Clearly ONE gd gm. Only clarity here is your knowledge of this team. A running theme with the geniuses club here.
Thanks for the comedy as always, dumpster fire Knicks!!
Knows one thing ….. ONE
great1 ……. Nothing
Robinson, Quickley, Reddish, Simms, Rose and the two highest first round picks in next year’s draft for Butler sounds about right.