Immanuel Quickley met with the media today for the first time since getting traded by the New York Knicks to the Toronto Raptors.
Quickley thought he was dreaming when he found out that he had gotten traded to the Raptors since he was sleeping. The Kentucky product added that he’s excited to play in Toronto.
The Raptors acquired Quickley and RJ Barrett from the Knicks for OG Anunoby. Quickley becomes a restricted free agent after this season.
As a restricted free agent, Quickley can either re-sign with the Raptors or sign an offer sheet with another team. Toronto can match any offer sheet Quickley signs.
The 24-year-old Quickley is averaging 15.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists this season while shooting 45.4% from the floor, 39.5% from beyond the arc and 87.2% from the free-throw line.
Quickley appeared in 81 games for the Knicks last season. He averaged 14.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shooting 44.8% from the field, 37.0% from 3 and 81.9% from the free-throw line.
The Knicks won 47 games last season. They were the fifth seed in the 2023 Eastern Conference playoffs. New York beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round in five games but lost to the Miami Heat in the second round in six games. Quickley averaged 9.0 points against the Cavaliers and Heat while shooting 34.8% from the field and 24.3% from deep.
Quickley finished his Knicks career with averages of 12.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 253 games. He made the 2020-21 NBA All-Rookie Second Team. The Raptors are now building around Quickley, Barrett and Scottie Barnes.
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