Amid a crucial West Coast trip, New York Knicks backup guard Immanuel Quickley shrugged off trade rumors that threatened to kill the good vibes of their two-game winning streak.
Quickley’s name has been on the rumor mill since last week, as teams reportedly touched base with the Knicks to inquire about his availability.
A few hours before they face the defending champions, Golden State Warriors, and one of his idols, Stephen Curry, on Friday, Quickley shrugged off the latest rumor linking him as one of the two players the Knicks are willing to move.
“Honestly, I don’t really get into that kind of stuff. I’m just focused on the road trip, taking it one day at a time. That stuff works itself out just like the basketball works itself out.”
Even after making strides toward the end of last season, Quickley couldn’t shake off his ‘Sixth Man’ tag.
Quickley, whether he admits it or not, would prefer to have a more prominent role as his second NBA contract looms. He is extension-eligible next summer after the Knicks picked up his fourth-year option before the season.
Quickley is on the third year of his $10.8 million, four-year rookie contract. Even if his shooting has gone hot and cold, his improvement on the defensive end makes him a valuable piece to any NBA team.
The harsh reality is the Knicks can’t keep all their young players even if the salary cap continues to spike.
And Quickley, based on the Knicks’ reported final offer to the Utah Jazz for Donovan Mitchell, was one of the young players they were willing to let go.
The Knicks are reportedly seeking draft compensation in a trade involving Quickley, per SNY’s Ian Begley, which is in line with The Athletic’s report of the team’s plan to untangle the backcourt logjam.
Perhaps it’s a precursor of a Knicks move to retain the more versatile and soon-to-be restricted free agent Cam Reddish, who’s suddenly become a two-way force, in the offseason.
Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo
The post Knicks’ Immanuel Quickley reacts to trade rumors appeared first on Empire Sports Media.