In the aftermath of the failed contract negotiations that will send Immanuel Quickley into free agency, the Knicks point guard made it clear Tuesday he’s not personally offended — “business is always business” — and said his value shouldn’t be affected by being a backup to Jalen Brunson.
“I know my value, and I know who I am, and I’m gonna continue to keep getting better,” he said.
Quickley said betting on himself is a hallmark of his character, and he essentially followed up by not agreeing to the extension.
The terms of the Knicks offer are unknown but Quickley’s agent, Raymond Brothers, alluded to his side’s stance by tagging an Instagram story with “Never sell out” just minutes after Monday’s deadline passed.
Quickley, who’ll become a restricted free agent in the 2024 summer (meaning the Knicks can match any offer), said the uncertain status won’t affect his desire or play.
“Contract, no contract: I’m here for the season,” he said. “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.”
Of course, it’s not that simple.
Quickley, 24, is now easier to trade on an expiring contract.
The Knicks are stacked with guards, including Brunson, $50 million newcomer Donte DiVincenzo and Quentin Grimes, who is eligible for an extension after the season.
Quickley is in line for big minutes but the roster wasn’t constructed to make him irreplaceable.
As expected, coach Tom Thibodeau lobbied for an agreement with Quickley.
He will always publicly support his players getting paid.
Knicks president Leon Rose hasn’t spoken to the media in over two years.
“It’s the business side of basketball. That’s what [Quickley] has his agent for. And then hopefully at the end of the year, we can get back to it,” Thibodeau said. “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.”
Quickley was a big reason for last season’s surge to the playoffs, resulting in his runner-up finish for Sixth Man of the Year.
But it’s also worth remembering that Quickley was struggling the first couple of months a year ago, playing fewer minutes, and became the subject of trade rumors.
On Monday and throughout the offseason, Quickley watched members of his 2020 draft class collect massive paydays, most notably Desmond Bane at $197 million, Devin Vassell at $135 million and Jaden McDaniels at $131 million.
Quickley and his former Kentucky teammate Tyrese Maxey were the best players of the draft class not to sign extensions.
Obi Toppin, who was traded from the Knicks to the Pacers in the summer, also didn’t sign an extension.
“Just because one door opens up for someone else doesn’t mean you’re not gonna get your blessing as well,” Quickley said. “So whoever gets paid, you want everyone to be successful. Never hate on nobody, cause your door, your time might come.”
It’s a gamble from Quickley and a story that won’t go away until he’s traded or signed in free agency.
He can look at one of his teammates for a success story.
Brunson turned down a four-year, $55 million extension from the Mavericks in 2022, then parlayed his great season — and playoffs — into a nine-figure deal with the Knicks.
Brunson’s circumstances were a little different — as a second-round pick, there was a lower cap on the extension number and the Mavericks declined to offer it initially — but the idea of betting on yourself is the same.
“It’s a level of focus, a level of doing everything you have to do day by day, not really focusing on the long term,” Brunson advised. “Keep the focus on the little things, keep the focus on the things that win games, individually things will come to you. keep focusing on the team, that was my mindset during my situation. Not make it really about yourself, make it about how you can help your team.”