Immanuel Quickley, at least publicly, isn’t concerned about his uncertain contract status.
That’s in his agent’s hands.
“Whatever happens, happens because it’s all up to my agent and the Knicks at that point,” Quickley, who is eligible for a rookie-scale extension until the day before the start of the season, said Monday as the Knicks met the media ahead of training camp.
His focus is squarely on the upcoming season and doing everything possible to take the same leap this year as he did last year.
“I feel like I can be better. I feel like I can be a lot better,” Quickley said. “I feel like there’s a lot of untapped potential that I have in my game. And I’m going to do everything I can, like I’ve always done, to reach that.”
Quickley is coming off a strong season, one in which he was the Sixth Man of the Year runner-up to Malcolm Brogdon.
He set career highs in scoring (14.9), rebounds (4.2), steals (1.0) and field-goal percentage (44.8), helping the Knicks enjoy their best season in a decade.
The year didn’t finish well for him.
Quickley struggled in the postseason and missed the final three games of the Knicks’ Eastern Conference semifinal series loss to the Heat with a sprained ankle.
“It was unfortunate, especially wanting to be out there to help your team win, doing everything you can. It’s tough,” Quickley said. “So that’s why I’m excited to be back, just being healthy and stuff is great so I can move past that. You try to come back better and stronger each year.”
Quickley, 24, earned himself a lot of money with his play last year, either from the Knicks or someone else.
They have until Oct. 24 to extend him.
Otherwise, he becomes a restricted free agent after the coming season.
But he insisted it’s not on his mind.
When he entered the press conference room, Quickley greeted reporters by screaming out, “Let’s go!”
He certainly seemed excited to get going.
“It’s always good to be back in the building,” he said, “especially when you take a long break.”
Now it’s time to get back to business.
For Quickley, that means getting back to work on the court and letting his agent figure out his future.