No contract extension, but Immanuel Quickley's optimism remains high
Immanuel Quickley of the Knicks talks to reporters during Media Day on Oct. 2 at the team's training facility in Tarrytown, N.Y. Credit: Errol Anderson
GREENBURGH — Immanuel Quickley had an eventful day on Monday.
“It was great,” the Knicks guard said on Tuesday. “Got some great work in. Chef made some great food. Talked to my mom, my sister. It was a great day.”
It was also the day on which Quickley and the Knicks failed to reach an agreement on a rookie contract extension before the deadline. So the 24-year-old will go into this season knowing he will be a restricted free agent when it ends.
“Contract, no contract . . . I’m here for the season,” Quickley said on the eve of the Knicks’ opener against Boston at the Garden. “I’m here for the team, to try to be the best version that I can each and every day. To try to dominate. That’s why I’m here.”
In their words, the Knicks have shown Quickley the love. But they did not show him the money — at least not enough for the 25th overall pick in the 2020 draft to sign.
“At the end of the day, business is always business,” Quickley said. “If both sides can’t come to an agreement, it’s nothing too much crazy with that. But like I said, I’m focused on getting better tomorrow, getting better the next day, and it’s going to be like that the whole year.”
Fourteen members of the 2020 draft class did sign before the deadline. No. 1 overall pick Anthony Edwards agreed to a five-year, $217 million deal with Minnesota that could grow to as much as $260 million, as did LaMelo Ball (Charlotte) and Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana).
“Happy for them. Excited for them,” Quickley said. “God opens up doors for everybody. Just because one door opens up for someone else doesn’t mean you’re not going to get your blessing as well. So whoever gets paid, you want everyone to be successful. Never hate on nobody, because your door, your time, might come.”
Quickley, who will be paid $4.17 million this season, was one of 12 first-rounders who did not sign an extension. Last season, he averaged 14.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 28.9 minutes as Jalen Brunson’s backup at point guard. Quickley appeared in 81 regular-season games (21 starts).
The Knicks have Brunson and don’t have a starting spot for Quickley. That might be why they didn’t want to give Quickley a contract that could have approached a reported $80 million over four years.
“Jalen’s a great player,” Quickley said. “I know my value, and he’s a great player, as well. The way that we can be able to play on the floor together, I think it’s unique as far as him playing on and off the ball. I can play on and off the ball. But I know my value, and I know who I am, and I’m going to continue to keep getting better.”
Brunson agrees.
“Life throws you curveballs,” Brunson said. “It’s all about how you respond. He has a great mindset, great mentality. He’s mentally built for it.”
Coach Tom Thibodeau, who consistently said he hoped something could be worked out, took the approach that the Knicks and Quickley will have another chance to find common ground in the offseason.
“I love what he brings to our team,” Thibodeau said. “I love the way he works. So hopefully it works out. It’s the business side of basketball. That’s what he has his agent for, and then hopefully at the end of the year, we can get back to it. So I’m hopeful it all works out. We love Quick. So, have a great season, and then we sit down and we talk again.”
Knicks re-sign guard. The Knicks re-signed guard Duane Washington Jr. to a two-way contract after letting him go following the preseason. Washington appeared in 31 games for Phoenix last season.
Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.
