Knicks reportedly still not close to extension with standout sixth man
Immanuel Quickley is in the final year of his rookie-scale contract, set to become a restricted free agent next summer. After the New York Knicks were unable to agree terms on a contract extension with Quickley during the offseason, the 24-year-old guard has likely strengthened his negotiation power with his solid play to begin the new season.
According to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, who was speaking on a recent episode of "NBA Dash Radio" by SiriusXM, the Knicks and Quickley are still no closer to reaching a contract agreement.
"This is a young player who was a finalist for Sixth Man of the Year last year," Scotto said. "More importantly, one executive said to me he's probably their second-best trade asset. They were far apart coming into the season on contract extension talks...If you're the Knicks, and you don't want to go that high or think you can lose Quickley to a big offer sheet from a team with cap space, it behooves them to gauge the market and see his value and if moving him would make sense or not."
Quickley is averaging 14.9 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists, shooting 44.8% from the field and 38% from three-point range in 28 games off the bench. His ability to inject pace into the rotation as the team's sixth man has been essential to Tom Thibodeau's rotations over the past two seasons.
New York is highly unlikely to risk losing Quickley for nothing in the summer. However, the Knicks will also be wary of overpaying him and making it more difficult to potentially include him in trade discussions further down the line.
With that in mind, the Knicks are in a tough spot. Clearly, Quickley understands his value. He knows that he will likely get paid in the summer, especially if there are teams with cap space in need of a young guard who can put up points.
The Knicks are running a risk by allowing Quickley's contract to wind down. They're also sending a message that they won't be forced into overpaying a player.
No matter how the situation with Quickley plays out, the message New York is sending will ensure the franchise is taken seriously in future contract negotiations, and that's a battle worth fighting.
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