76ers' Tyrese Maxey: Immanuel Quickley to Get Big Contract After Knicks-Raptors Trade
January 6, 2024
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey is confident that Toronto Raptors point guard Immanuel Quickley will secure a large contract in free agency following the 2023-24 season.
"I'm pretty sure [Quickley] will be OK," Maxey said, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. "He'll make a lot of money."
Quickley was traded to the Raptors from the New York Knicks on Dec. 30 along with RJ Barrett and a second-round pick from the Detroit Pistons. New York received defensive-minded forward OG Anunoby in the deal as well as Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn.
Maxey and Quickley have known each other for years, starting together in the Kentucky backcourt for the Wildcats' 2019-20 season. They were both selected late in the first round of the 2020 NBA draft, with Maxey heading to Philadelphia with the 21st overall pick and Quickley going to New York with the 25th pick.
Following the Knicks' 128-92 victory over the 76ers on Saturday, Maxey told reporters that he was excited to see his college teammate see an increased role on his new team.
"I was happy for him," he said, per Bondy. "He's over there, he's starting, he's having a good time. I think he'll get a little bit more of an opportunity. I'm happy for him. I'm sad that I don't get to play against him tonight. But I'm happy for him."
In three starts for the Raptors, Quickley is averaging 20.0 points and 5.3 assists per game while connecting on 44 percent of his shots from behind the arc. He's also playing 32.8 minutes each night after recording just 24.0 minutes per game on the Knicks.
Quickley is currently playing out the final year of his rookie deal and will hit restricted free agency at the end of the season (via Spotrac). While the Raptors can match any contract that he signs with an opposing team, it's not hard to imagine other front offices presenting him with a large offer sheet in June.
