The New York Knicks need to have everybody on the same page as they enter a crucial season.
While they’re not a championship-caliber team right now, they do have an opportunity to make a good impression ahead of an interesting free-agent class.
Pascal Siakam, Klay Thompson, Kawhi Leonard, DeMar DeRozan, and James Harden are just some of the players who could become available.
That’s not to mention those who would be potential trade candidates as they enter the final season of their contracts, a list that includes Brandon Ingram, Paul George, OG Anunoby, Jrue Holiday, Lauri Markkanen, and even LeBron James.
That’s why they cannot afford to let Immanuel Quickley’s contract situation stand in their way to success right now.
With that in mind, Knicks PG Jalen Brunson told Ian Begley that he believes in Quickley’s professionalism and mental toughness not to let that become a distraction.
When asked about it, Jalen Brunson said he doesn’t think Immanuel Quickley’s contract situation will impact his play. “He’s mentally built for it,” Brunson said.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) October 24, 2023
The Knicks are going to be in the mix for Donovan Mitchell again if he makes it clear that he doesn’t want to sign a contract extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
They could use Quickley as a potential trade chip if that happens in a sign-and-trade, but they’ll need the Kentucky product to ball out and prove his worth.
Also, the Knicks have been hurt by mismanagement and countless off-court issues over the years, so they can’t allow this situation to join that long list.
Tom Thibodeau’s team wants to make a deep postseason run, and it will take a major team effort to pull it off.
NEXT: Insider Says Knicks Could Lose Key Player Next Season
