The deadline to sign Immanuel Quickley to a contract extension has come and gone, and the former Sixth Man of the Year candidate will become a restricted free agent next summer.
Now, the focus for Quickley is on the season ahead, which begins Wednesday night against the Celtics.
“I’m always about getting better,” Quickley said. “I’m always about setting goals, and trying to be better than I was yesterday. Contract, no contract, I'm here for the season and here for the team to try to be the best version I can each and every day, to try to get better, and to try to dominate. That’s why I’m here.”
Quickley, after a slow shooting start last season, broke out down the stretch, finishing the year averaging 15 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. The 24-year-old once again struggled in the playoffs, but has been a steal as a late first-round draft pick.
There was reportedly optimism during the offseason that a deal would get done, but the Knicks could be prioritizing flexibility should a coveted star suddenly become available via trade. So, questions about Quickley’s future in New York will linger throughout the 2023-24 season.
Whatever the reason why negotiations didn’t result in a deal, Quickley is ready to put any talks of a contract behind him, and focus on basketball, where he will try and help the Knicks to a second straight playoff berth.
“At the end of the day, business is just business,” Quickley said. “Extension talks are over, I'm just focused on the season. I feel like our team is going to have a great year and I feel like I'm going to have a great year. I’m really excited about that. That’s probably really all I’m gonna talk about, to be honest. Anything other than contract extensions.”