The New York Knicks have been searching for a point guard for the better part of the last 20 years. With a good, young core ready to take the next step, they need to make finding one their No. 1 priority this offseason. Now here comes the biggest dilemma.
While there are plenty of solid options available with free agency and the trade market, many Knicks fans believe that the future has been right in front of them on this team for the past two years.
Immanuel Quickley and his role within this team has become quite a polarizing topic, but as we saw during the final stretch of the season, he is more than capable of filling and growing in that role.
No one quite knows where Tom Thibodeau and Leon Rose stand, and while IQ could easily co-exist with any pending trade or free agent target, today we are going to compare them.
Is Immanuel Quickley a better starting PG option for the Knicks than these 6 players?
6. Ricky Rubio
In previous years, Ricky Rubio would have been a no-brainer for the Knicks, but after a serious knee injury, it’s no longer that clear cut.
The veteran point guard, who spent most of his career in Minnesota, is a great floor general and renowned for his spectacular passing. With Derrick Rose already on the roster, however, it negates the need for a veteran like Rubio.
The offseason will answer many questions, and with New York looking to add star power, it may need to give away some of the team’s young pieces. That could give the Knicks a need for Rubio, but as of right now, it’s not necessary.
Quickley is younger, a better defender, and brings unlimited energy to whatever unit he plays with. He suits this team as the starting point guard much better than Rubio.
Verdict: The Knicks should pass on the veteran Rubio for the younger, hungrier option in Quickley.
New York Knicks</a> have been searching for a point guard for the better part of the last 20 years. With a good, young core ready to take the next step, they need to make finding one their No. 1 priority this offseason. Now here comes the biggest dilemma.</p>
<p>While <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/05/23/comparing-6-free-agent-trade-options-knicks-immanuel-quickley/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/05/07/new-york-knicks-top-10-nba-point-guard-2022-free-agent-targets/">there are plenty of solid options available with free agency</a> and the trade market, many Knicks fans believe that the future has been right in front of them on this team for the past two years.</p>
<p>Immanuel Quickley and his role within this team has become quite a polarizing topic, but as we saw during the final stretch of the season, he is more than capable of filling and growing in that role.</p>
<p>No one quite knows where Tom Thibodeau and Leon Rose stand, and while IQ could easily co-exist with any pending trade or free agent target, today we are going to compare them.</p>
<h2>Is Immanuel Quickley a better starting PG option for the Knicks than these 6 players?</h2>
<h3>6. Ricky Rubio</h3>
<p>In previous years, Ricky Rubio would have been a no-brainer for the Knicks, but after a serious knee injury, it’s no longer that clear cut.</p>
<p>The veteran point guard, who spent most of his career in Minnesota, is a great floor general and renowned for his spectacular passing. With Derrick Rose already on the roster, however, it negates the need for a veteran like Rubio.</p>
<p>The offseason will answer many questions, and with New York looking to add star power, it may need to give away some of the team’s young pieces. That could give the Knicks a need for Rubio, but as of right now, it’s not necessary.</p>
<p>Quickley is younger, a better defender, and brings unlimited energy to whatever unit he plays with. He suits this team as the starting point guard much better than Rubio.</p>
<p><strong>Verdict:</strong> The Knicks should pass on the veteran Rubio for the younger, hungrier option in Quickley.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/05/23/comparing-6-free-agent-trade-options-knicks-immanuel-quickley/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> The Grizzlies' No. 2 option </a>
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<img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-127901" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/05/23/comparing-6-free-agent-trade-options-knicks-immanuel-quickley/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1178,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2022%2F05%2F1397140137.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks, Memphis Grizzlies, Tyus Jones" width="1600" height="1178" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/05/1397140137.jpeg 1600w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/05/1397140137-768x565.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Tyus Jones, Memphis Grizzlies. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) – New York Knicks</p>
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<h3>5. Tyus Jones</h3>
<p>Tyus Jones has emerged as a genuine NBA talent behind Ja Morant in Memphis, and <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/05/23/comparing-6-free-agent-trade-options-knicks-immanuel-quickley/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/05/09/knicks-rumors-new-york-reportedly-interested-free-agent-point-guard-tyus-jones/">one that the Knicks have been reportedly looking into</a>. His style of play works well in the modern NBA game, and with so much length and athleticism on the wing for this young New York team, he would pair well with the group.</p>
<p>The Knicks would be silly to pay Jones as a starter, especially with the options they currently have on the roster, but having him come off the bench behind Quickley would be a fun, possible option.</p>
<p>However, he certainly won’t be their first target, and pulling him away from the Grizzlies, given their recent success, won’t be very easy. This is an unlikely option for New York, but given how the future is panning out, Jones could be a solid addition to the bench alongside Cam Reddish, Quentin Grimes, and other young players.</p>
<p><strong>Verdict:</strong> Jones is a promising young guard with NBA experience and a bright future in the league, but if it comes down to the simple decision of Jones vs. IQ, the Knicks should stick with their homegrown star.</p>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-127902" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/05/23/comparing-6-free-agent-trade-options-knicks-immanuel-quickley/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2022%2F05%2F1390378537.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Russell Westbrook" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/05/1390378537.jpeg 3200w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/05/1390378537-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) – New York Knicks</p>
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<h3>4. Russell Westbrook</h3>
<p>Russell Westbrook has been repeatedly linked to the Knicks for months but given where the team and their young roster stand, it’s a very, very hard pass.</p>
<p>We’ve seen the arguments for this <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/05/23/comparing-6-free-agent-trade-options-knicks-immanuel-quickley/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/04/20/knicks-one-crazy-russell-westbrook-julius-randle-trade-actually-makes-sense/">as a way to unload some big contracts for an expiring deal</a>, but knowing Thibodeau, that would result in 40 minutes of Westbrook per night for an entire season.</p>
<p>In his prime, there were few players alongside Westbrook in the league that brought his energy on a nightly basis. But Quickley can far and away match that in 2022, as his energy and enthusiasm are infectious to not only the team but the crowd, too.</p>
<p>Given how much potential and chemistry we saw from New York’s young core at the season’s end, it makes no sense to hinder that with an overpaid veteran who’s arguably on his last legs in the league.</p>
<p>If he were to be cut immediately to free up space for next summer, it’s definitely a possible move that Rose would make. However, as a player who expects to contribute to the Knicks, it’s the least likely option.</p>
<p><strong>Verdict:</strong> Once upon a time, Westbrook in The Big Apple would have been magic, but IQ brings enough talent and energy to the team that it makes no sense in 2022.</p>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-127907" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/05/23/comparing-6-free-agent-trade-options-knicks-immanuel-quickley/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2022%2F05%2F1364500656.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, Malcolm Brogdon" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/05/1364500656.jpeg 1600w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/05/1364500656-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Malcolm Brogdon, Indiana Pacers. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) – New York Knicks</p>
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<h3>3. Malcolm Brogdon</h3>
<p>At times, Malcolm Brogdon plays like an All-Star caliber point guard, which is something that the Knicks sorely need. Unfortunately, his health issues are becoming too overwhelming to ignore, and given IQ’s age and lack of health problems, this one is a no-brainer.</p>
<p>If healthy, Brogdon can easily put up 20 points per game and be a game-changer for New York alongside Quickley, but until he proves that, there’s simply no reason to give up genuine assets to acquire him.</p>
<p>In the future, if Indiana were to move on from Brogdon, which is a huge possibility given their depth at guard right now with Tyrese Haliburton being acquired last season, it’s another avenue the Knicks may look to explore.</p>
<p>At this point, however, with Rose, McBride, and most importantly Quickley, there’s no way in which this could happen.</p>
<p><strong>Verdict:</strong> If New York can get Brogdon for very, very cheap, it may be a useful move as a backup point guard. But this is unlikely, and given how much potential IQ has shown, along with the great chemistry already in place, this one doesn’t make sense.</p>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-127908" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/05/23/comparing-6-free-agent-trade-options-knicks-immanuel-quickley/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1237,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2022%2F05%2F1358885880.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, John Wall" width="1600" height="1237" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/05/1358885880.jpeg 1600w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/05/1358885880-768x594.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><p class="wp-caption-text">John Wall, Houston Rockets. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) – New York Knicks</p>
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<h3>2. John Wall</h3>
<p>After the Kemba Walker saga of 2021-22, it’s baffling that some within the NBA community have linked another aging, injury-prone guard to the Knicks.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
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<p>Back in his days as a Wizard, New York would have loved such a quick, explosive scorer like John Wall, but in 2022 after several major injuries and a lot of time off, it just won’t work.</p>
<p>Wall hasn’t exactly endeared himself to teammates either and seeing how close this young unit, especially Toppin, Quickley, and Barrett have become, that type of thing just won’t fly with the Knicks these days.</p>
<p>Quickley simply shoots better than Wall ever did, despite his poor shooting streaks at times. And with the availability aspect, as well as the love that he has from this organization and its fans, this is one that New York fans, and the front office, should completely ignore, even if it does get repeatedly suggested.</p>
<p><strong>Verdict:</strong> There is no world in which Wall should be a Knick in 2022, especially if it comes at the expense of decreasing Quickley’s playing time.</p>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-127909" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/05/23/comparing-6-free-agent-trade-options-knicks-immanuel-quickley/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2142,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2022%2F05%2F1397474177.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, Jalen Brunson" width="3200" height="2142" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/05/1397474177.jpeg 3200w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/05/1397474177-768x514.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Jalen Brunson, Dallas Mavericks. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – New York Knicks</p>
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<h3>1. Jalen Brunson</h3>
<p>Jalen Brunson is the biggest name on the minds of Knicks fans at the moment in regards to the point guard position, and rightfully so. Brunson had an outstanding first round against the Utah Jazz, and while he’s not been as dominant in round two, he would certainly be the best point guard New York’s had in a decade.</p>
<p>The <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/05/23/comparing-6-free-agent-trade-options-knicks-immanuel-quickley/"https://nba.nbcsports.com/2022/05/11/report-knicks-pistons-pacers-will-make-run-at-jalen-brunson-this-summer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rumors around this connection</a> have been heating up for months, and while he shouldn’t replace IQ in the Knicks’ lineup, there’s a good chance for them to play alongside each other.</p>
<p>Coach Thibodeau would have to adjust the way he’s handled his rotations in recent years, but if done properly, this move could allow the Knicks to have great, consistent play at point guard for 48 minutes a night.</p>
<p>There’s no question that New York should target Brunson, but at a price that makes sense, and if the team can get him without nearing $100 million, this would be a great move for the franchise.</p>
<p><strong>Verdict:</strong> If the Knicks can get Brunson and find a way to give him and Quickley complementary and sometimes overlapping minutes, it’d be the perfect move for the organization.</p>
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