While Evan Fournier and Cam Reddish are considered the most available trade candidates in New York, one league executive who spoke to Steve Bulpett of Heavy.com pointed to another Knicks player who would bring back a far greater return if the team were willing to move him.
“The one guy who is really their trade asset is the one guy they’d like to keep, and that’s (Immanuel) Quickley,” the exec said. “Great kid. But he sees himself as a starting point guard, and the Knicks see him as a combo guard. Thibs (head coach Tom Thibodeau) doesn’t like to play young guys, but he’s embraced Quickley.
“The problem is Quickley sees what Tyrese Maxey is doing 80 miles south of there and he thinks, ‘Hey, I’m every bit as good as Tyrese. The only difference is he’s had opportunity and I haven’t.’ So he’s worried that the Knicks will never commit to letting him do what he wants to do. But he would bring back some value if they ever decided to trade him.”
It’s probably safe to take the anonymous executive’s commentary on Quickley with a grain of salt, since there’s no reason to think he’d have any inside insight on the 23-year-old’s thinking. Still, it’s worth noting that Quickley has posted some of the best numbers of his career in the Knicks’ last two games with Jalen Brunson and RJ Barrett unavailable, racking up 15 assists on Tuesday and 36 points on Thursday.
“He’s not going to get those opportunities when they’re whole,” the exec added.
Here’s more on the Knicks:
- An Eastern Conference executive who spoke to Sean Deveney of Heavy.com believes the Knicks have spoken to the Pacers about a possible Obi Toppin trade. “There has been some talk between the Pacers and Knicks about Obi,” the exec said. “He fits in Indiana, especially if they keep (Myles) Turner. Obi is a rim-runner, he has some toughness, he has athleticism. He needs minutes and a team that is rebuilding with young talent like Indy is a really good match.”
- A productive December has increased Julius Randle‘s season-long averages to 23.8 PPG, 9.7 RPG, and 3.7 APG, but he’s not thinking about the possibility of earning a second All-Star nod, writes Peter Botte of The New York Post. “I’m just trying to focus on the team, helping us get wins, day by day, how I can improve as a player and a leader, and how we can improve as a team,” Randle said. “Those things, if they happen, whatever it is, it’s great. But I’m more focused on the team.”
- Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News identifies five moments that defined a disappointing 2022 for the Knicks.
- Writing for his Substack (subscription required), Ethan Strauss takes a closer look at troubling reports and stories about Madison Square Garden security using facial recognition technology to turn away fans based on James Dolan‘s personal vendettas. Botte passes along some of the highlights of Strauss’ story in an article for The New York Post.
The link for the Ethan Strauss Substack is actually the NYP link. Can you please fix?
Fixed, thanks.
If the Knicks can get any kind of decent return for IQ, they should trade him. I like him, but only in shorter spurts off the bench to provide some energy. In longer stretches, his weaknesses are magnified.
And that executive comparing him to Maxey needs his head examined. IQ is a low efficiency chucker. Maxey is far more efficient.
Quickley’s situation and perspective are well known to most Knick fans, largely because he’s talked about it since he was drafted. He’s gone about everything the right way since getting here, and, as a result, has earned opportunities to expand his role and mostly taken advantage of them. Right now, there’s no conflict between what he and the team see as his current role. Doesn’t mean there might not be down the line, but I doubt it, and the prospect of it isn’t a reason to trade him now.
Yawn
I can see where Quickley can see that about Maxey. They played together at Kentucky.
But I’ve seen good growth at PG for him. Maxey is a bigger talent. Quickley can become a starting PG. At worst he’s your third guard. Plus he’s still got upside. With Jalen here. I think he’s gone.
My most trade able are …….
Randle, Cam, Quickley, Fournier, Mitch, Rose
Start Obi, cause he fits better with Jalen. He will avg 20 pts. And he will do it off the offense. Not ISO’s all day. Time to move Randle. Start Obi1 at PF.