It’s not all gloom and doom for the Orange and Blue. In the 2020 NBA Draft, instead of getting LaMelo Ball, the New York Knicks ended up with Obi Toppin, a homegrown talent. The Knicks also hired head coach Tom Thibodeau to reset their team and instill a much-needed culture that will help players develop a winning attitude. In that same draft that netted them Toppin, the Knicks also traded for Immanuel Quickley from the Oklahoma City Thunder, obtaining him with the 25th pick.
The 6’3” rookie from the University of Kentucky immediately filled a need within the Knicks’ roster that badly needs guards to orchestrate their offense.
Since the season has just begun, not much is known about Quickley. To help card collectors everywhere, here are three solid reasons why this rookie guard from the Knicks needs to be your next investment.
Quickley will provide quality shooting
No matter how you try to spin in, the Knicks are in dire need of shooting. As of now, they’re dead last in the NBA in 3-point attempts with an average of 27.2 being made per game. The Knicks are also in 21st place in 3-point percentage, shooting 34 percent from deep, which doesn’t quite cut it in a league that leans heavily on this shot.
This is where Immanuel Quickley can make a name for himself. During his last year playing for Kentucky, the rookie attempted 145 shots from beyond the arc for the whole season and nailed 43 percent of them. He also placed third among college players when it comes to free throw shooting, hitting 92 percent.
Quickley’s skill in putting the ball from the perimeter is just what New York needs. Along with Toppin, who can also drain the 3-ball, the Knicks will have better spacing on the court. Moreover, his pairing with Austin Rivers will deliver better looks and more offense when the situation calls for it.
This will be a boon for both Julius Randle and RJ Barrett as they make the most out of this spacing for their respective offensive games. Mitchell Robinson will also benefit as he gets to expand his game, maybe post up, and grab more offensive rebounds in the process. All of this is made possible, thanks to Quickley’s growing potential as a shooter.
Tom Thibodeau can sharpen Quickley to be a defensive ace
Looking at the Knicks during the early part of this season, one could say that they have improved defensively. Last year, New York finished 23rd when it comes to defensive rating with 113 points allowed per 100 possessions. This season, the team is currently tied for third place with a 106.8 rating.
These numbers are good news to Knicks fans and can be attributed to Tom Thibodeau. While this is New York’s current situation, there’s still room to improve. Immanuel Quickley can be called upon to contribute on the defensive end.
Quickley is gifted with several tools that can help him be a better defender. Foremost among these tools, is his 6’8” wingspan. If he manages to pair his long reach with sufficient lateral quickness, the rookie will be able to lock down his assignment on a nightly basis. With Thibodeau overseeing his development, this wouldn’t be a far-fetched idea to entertain.
Quickley has the chance to be New York’s starting point guard
As of now, Elfrid Payton is the Knicks’ starting point guard. Although Thibodeau trusts the veteran to orchestrate New York’s offense, Payton doesn’t help with the team’s spacing on the court.
If Quickley develops into a deadly shooter and capable playmaker, he will catch Thibodeau’s eye and be given more minutes. From there, it’ll be a matter of time before he gets the starting point-guard job, either late this season or the next, if all things go well. And in a city with a dedicated fanbase, this potential scenario can only mean good things for Quickley and his card value.
The three reasons stated above are but a glimpse into Quickley’s promising upside as a rookie. The season is still early and he still has a lot of chances to perform better. If this happens, his rookie cards will capture the attention of collectors and boost his value in the market.
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