It’s been nearly two years since the New York Knicks sent Immanuel Quickley packing in the blockbuster OG Anunoby trade. The former No. 25 pick was a Sixth Man of the Year contender in the Big Apple, but he was ultimately a casualty of the business. Now, facing his old squad, Quickley reminded everyone why he commanded such a high price.
While the scoreboard didn’t go his way in his return to face Jalen Brunson, the mutual respect between the former backcourt mates took center stage once the buzzer sounded.
What Did Jalen Brunson Say About Immanuel Quickley?
The Knicks handled business against the visiting Raptors with a convincing 116-94 victory. However, Quickley didn’t go down quietly, putting up 19 points and dishing out eight assists. His performance caught the eye of Brunson, who had high praise for his former teammate.
“The way he’s worked on his game since I’ve seen him — since I was his teammate and even before then — [there is] nothing surprising,” Brunson said after the game, per SNY.
“The way he’s and what he’s been able to do up there has been great. This is the opportunity he was looking for, and he’s shown out and I have nothing but respect for him.”
The former Dallas Mavericks star made it clear their bond remains strong despite the jersey swap. “That’s my guy,” Brunson continued. “The way our relationship is, we go out there and compete, but I’m always rooting for him.”
How Has Quickley Adjusted to His Role in Toronto?
The move north has paid off handsomely for Quickley. He locked in a five-year, $175 million contract extension to remain in Toronto through the 2029 season. Since the deal, he has become a fixture in the lineup, starting 92 consecutive games for the Canadian side. That contrasts sharply with his time in New York, where he logged just 27 starts across 253 appearances.
He is making the most of those minutes, averaging 16.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. He is doing all this while playing 32.2 minutes a night, a workload that wasn’t available to him under Tom Thibodeau.
The Raptors have surprised many this season, particularly on the defensive end of the floor. They currently sit at 14-7, suitable for the third-best record in the Eastern Conference, trailing only the Knicks. Although it is early, if they maintain this pace or acquire talent at the deadline, these teams could meet again in the postseason.
If that matchup happens, Knicks fans will have to hope R.J. Barrett and Quickley don’t save their best performances for a revenge series against the franchise that traded them away.