The Knicks have spent years searching for a reliable point guard, but their offseason plans may change if they decide Immanuel Quickley can handle the job, writes Marc Berman of The New York Post. Quickley posted two triple-doubles in his last three games and improved his play-making as the season wore on. He also overcame an early-season shooting slump and connected at 39.4% on three-pointers over his last 29 games.
“I just control what I can control, man, and that’s working hard, getting better every day,’’ Quickley said after Sunday’s season finale. “If that’s starting, that’s coming off the bench, it is what it is.’’
The Knicks will certainly explore the market for a point guard this summer if they’re not ready to make Quickley the full-time starter. The position was a major disappointment this season with Kemba Walker playing through injuries before leaving the team in February and Derrick Rose never returning after undergoing ankle surgery in December.
New York reportedly has interest in impending free agent Jalen Brunson, but a source tells Berman that the Mavericks will make a strong effort to keep him, especially if they put together a long playoff run.
There’s more from New York:
- Evan Fournier set a franchise record for most three-pointers in a season, but his first year in New York didn’t turn out the way he hoped, Berman states in a separate story. Fournier was signed in free agency to provide much-needed long-distance shooting for a contending team, but the Knicks unraveled in too many other areas. Berman suggests the front office may explore trade options involving Fournier this summer, but he prefers to return next season and hopes the core of the team will be kept intact. “I’ve said we had the right pieces and we have everything to be successful and I believe that,” Fournier said. “We have to find ourselves. So, when you go through a whole season with guys and coaching staff, you get attached to them and you want to have success with them. You go through tough moments, so I’m not hoping anything changes, to be honest.”
- Two talented draft classes and a parcel of future assets are the best things Leon Rose has to show since taking over as team president, Berman adds in another piece. The Knicks currently have nine players age 24 or younger, and they own 13 picks in the next three drafts.
- Steve Popper of Newsday examines whether the late-season surge by Obi Toppin will make Julius Randle expendable. Randle is coming off a down season and feuded with both fans and the media, but Popper cautions that the Knicks would be selling low if they move him this offseason, especially with his four-year, $106MM extension about to kick in.
The Knicks are their own worst enemy. The Warriors have shown that you can build a championship caliber team via the draft. Yet the Knicks screwed themselves by hiring Thibodaux and giving Fournier, Kemba, and Randle multi-year contracts. A decent amount of observation will tell you that heading into the season, Kemba’s knee is shot, Randle is overrated, and Fournier sucked for the Celtics. Talent, not coaching wins championships. Randle is a possession hog who isn’t good enough for that responsibility. Yet that’s the only way he’s effective. That’s why he’s been passed around like a cheap bottle of wine. Toppin and Quickley are the future of the Knicks and if the front office can correct and learn from their mistakes, the Knicks will become legitimate contenders in a few years.
@bright
what does the signing of those mentioned correlate to the GSW? It’s nut like they DIDN’T have their own draft picks? they just picked the wrong guys. you have to spend money on someone and if those guys are the only FA willing to go their then the outspoken is much larger than drafting.
Curry was drafted in 2009. Klay 2011, Barnes & Green in 2012. They were def moving in the right direction, but not set yet. 2014 is when they made the move to Kerr & the beginning of that dynastic 5-year run 2014-2019.
So…they didn’t start winning until 5 years after Steph got there, 3 after Klay, 2 after Dray.
Knicks picked Barrett in 2019, never really gave him the reins to the org. He had to share that with a PF in Randle in his rookie season. Then they drafted a PF in Obi in 2020, before extending Randle in 2021. Re-signed Burks, Rose, then signed Fournier – all be assuring Quick was not seeing the density of minutes needed to gauge what you have in a player. Kemba; while McBride rode the bench for the longest.
Might not be the cleanest contrast to what the Dubs did, but you can see the difference in timelines and focus on growth vs “holy sheesh we gotta get to the playoffs to get bounced in round one maaaayyyyyne”
@4quarters
all I said was that those signing has nothing to do with their drafting. it’s not like they traded their picks to bring in a star.
What’s the point of drafting when you don’t take the time to see what you have in young players, before thrusting them into contention? You might have another legit Evan Turner, while believing you picked the next James Harden. Only time & PT will tell.
No, the Knicks didn’t trade their picks for a star, they stuck their picked players behind players who are, at best, rotational depth.
@4quarters
The mistake the Knicks made wasn’t digging Randle. It was existing on Nikita, passing over SGA for Knox and taking Topin over Halliburton. Almost all rebuilds start with either a high-end point guard, a dominant big or elite athletic wing that can shoot. Say what you want about Randle but he has been a solid player for the Knicks.
44/34/77 and 21/10/5 for a PF it’s excellent. Dressing two more PF when you already have Randle is stupid. And Randle isn’t exactly old. We had him from age 25-27 and his current contract doesn’t end until age 32. You can argue a shorter deal would’ve been proffered. The Oregonian with the Knicks was marine not committing to a full rebuild. Last year was false hope.
You have to hit your cap each year but as long as they draft well which they have all should be good. Fournier and a pick should get them a player in trade. Barrett taking a leap next year is what they need the most. Reddish has the talent to be good.
Thibs ain’t playing bing bong so Knicks will never pick in the top 4 si Knicks need to trade for a superstar like Donovan Mitchell to pair with JR
Of course Randle is expendable, but dealing him is another story. Either someone is going to need to believe that he’s closer to what he was last year than this year, or they’ll have to attach draft assets to move him.
There are enough bad, desperate teams in the league that would show interest in Randle. But will the Knicks be okay with selling very low? Or possibly have to take back a bad contract? My guess is they give Randle another year. Focus on moving Kemba, Noel (if they keep Mitch), Burks & Fournier. I like Burks, but as a bench piece. Perhaps the Knicks use the draft to move Fournier. Leon got a LOT of work to do….
I think there are teams that would buy low on Randle, but I agree I don’t see Rose & Co pulling the trigger this summer, although depending on what’s offered they should definitely keep an open ear.
I keep mentioning Portland as a trade destination for Randle. Portland’s “core” is suspect at best. Assuming they resign Simons, Blazers could use a P&R big. Plus, Randle’s ball handling ability takes a little pressure off Dame. Randle for Portland’s second lottery pick & expiring contracts?……GET TO WORK LEON
It’s funny that the Knicks or anyone else just keeps on waiting on for a superstar. When you have someone that can throw up solid triple doubles. Maybe playing someone like Quickley over giving Alec Burks massive minutes is the answer. Probably won’t happen with the current regime though as it makes too much sense
Where did it say anywhere in this article that NY is waiting for a star? Unless we’re counting Brunson ….
IQ is a nice player, but much like Kemba, he needs to be cooking offensively to make his defensive limitations worthwhile.
For most of the season he couldn’t seem to hit a shot, so – *as much as I hate to defend Alec Burks PG minutes* – that really was one of the more defensible decisions Thibs made this year, IMO.
I ‘d ove as much as anyone for IQ and Obi to come around, but I’m not sure how much stock I’m putting in last week of the season numbers. Randle is probably expendable … but not sure how much it has to do with Obi…
IQ looked great as a rookie as a Lou Will microwave off the bench. This year, save for Mar/Apr, he looked pretty bad
But even if he can discover his rookie form again, I’m not sure he’s a solution at PG. Having said that, if we don’t land anyone in FA I’m not opposed to starting next season giving him the nod and seeing if sinks or swims
As usual, agreed with everything you said. The Randle situation I would guess would be addressed before the draft otherwise he’s on the roster. I could see the Knicks reach out to teams that are desperate like the Pelicans and offer both picks this year, another down the road, Randle, and IQ for Zion. Pelicans could be feeling spooked by Z’s injuries and may want to hedge their bet.
Also in total agreement with your post, buttholesurfer69. IQ is a Lou Will type who can run the 2nd unit, nothing wrong with that. Obi is high energy, constant movement which is desperately needed with the Knicks offense. I believe if given serious min, that ability along with his bball IQ will elevate this team. I honestly don’t see why D-Rose can’t start at PG with IQ leading the 2nd unit. Split their min down the middle. End each game with the “hot” hand. This can be successful again.
Despite having a down year and seeing his shooting % drop Randle still posted 20/10/5 on a horrible team in an unforgiving market. He’s owed a lot of money but his contract is far, far, far from unbearable to the point where draft assets need to be attached.
They’re are a few mediocre to good teams that might find him as a missing piece where he doesn’t need to be the main guy but more of a 2nd or 3rd option.
Randle to GSW for Wiseman and Wiggins. Add maybe Kemba for salary purposes. GSW employees a 3 guard rotation and Randle brings need offense from a big.
I’m not mad at this trade proposal, very intriguing. If GS threw in a lightly protected 1st rounder, then I really like the trade.
@rj
I don’t think that’s happening. They are taking on more money than the Knicks. If anything, they might ask for a protected pick or 2nd rounder or 2.
If I’m not mistaken, Randle makes $26 mil next season. Wiggins makes $33 mil, while Wiseman makes $9 mil totally $42. Even if Kemba gets thrown in, it brings the the Knicks total to $35 mil. Besides that, Randle being an All-star, 2nd team All-NBA (Wiggins hasn’t done this) with 20/10/5 splits makes me push for a lighter protected future first…I could have the money wrong tho
The current Knick FO grades out well over 2 years considering what they inherited. Yes, of course, the 2k’ers who post here could have done better. But judged against other similarly situated FO’s (who likewise operate without the 2k’ers’ crystal ball) their overall grade is at least a B+.
W/L Record: A-
Draft/Development: B+
Free Agents/Trades/Payroll: B-
Rebuild rebuild rebuild ….
Year two over. So where are we??
Well I’d say it’s Obi1 time. Randle can help the right team. Time for him to settle in with a team. Another team please …..
Quickley has shown flashes of playing the point. Probably one of best things about 2022. He’s earned a shot at starting. Wish they would play McBride more too.
RJ is about to become the face of the team. So you don’t want sourpuss Randle around.
I can only hope Knicks trade up for Mathurin. But there will be another core piece there for us. Gotta hit on this pick.
Knicks have assets to make a deal. But who will be available is the big question. I think they will wait and see.
Randle, Kemba, Noel, Burkes, Mitch 12 picks in next three yrs. There is a deal out there.
Thinking Quickley is a starting PG based on some nice games during NBA season garbage time is like a dude thinking he has a shot with the Hooters waitress just because she’s nice to him for the tips.
They’re both a mirage.