Immanuel Quickley is poised to embark on the journey to stardom with his move to Toronto.
The headline-making trade between the Toronto Raptors and New York Knicks reverberated throughout the NBA world over the New Year’s Eve weekend. While the deal involves numerous moving parts, it’s challenging to view it as anything other than the conclusion of a chapter for both franchises, especially for the young players involved. These athletes, each with varying levels of potential, hope that a change of scenery will bring about positive transformations – akin to the experience of someone undergoing a physical move.
As one door closes, another opens – an opportunity for a fresh start. Perhaps no one in the five-player trade is more eager for this chance than Quickley. “I’m always looking every day to try to find something I can get better at,” Quickley expressed during his introductory press conference at the Raptors OVO Athletic Centre. “That’s just who I am…whether it be basketball or off the court, just find a way to be better.”
The 24-year-old guard, hailing from Kentucky, has spent the past three seasons evolving into one of the league’s premier bench scorers for the Knicks. However, he remained confined to this role behind New York’s star point guard Jalen Brunson, resulting in a dip in his playing time this season compared to the previous year when he came close to claiming the Sixth Man of the Year award. Despite his reserve position, Quickley has continued to expand his game, particularly when granted additional opportunities.
For instance, in 21 games as a starter in place of Brunson last season, he averaged nearly 23 points, over 5 rebounds, and 5 assists with an impressive 60% true-shooting. In the current season’s first 30 games, he contributed 15 points per game in 24 minutes of play, showcasing efficient shooting percentages of 45% from the field, 40% from three, and 87% from the free-throw line. His +11 net rating was the best among all Knick players and ranked near the top of the league in terms of overall impact off the bench.
