2020 NBA Lottery Redraft, Pick No. 8: Immanuel Quickley, Kentucky
The Kentucky Wildcats had three players in 2019-20 all somewhat billed as point guards. Ashton Hagans tended to run the point most of the time, forcing Tyrese Maxey and Immanuel Quickley into off-ball roles. That obscured the ball-handling ability of both players. Two months into their rookie seasons, both have shown they can step up and play at the point.
Quickley has been one of this class’s five best players thus far, despite originally being selected 25th. He is confident enough in his handle to initiate offense, and he has been efficient at the rim, launching floaters or taking 3-pointers. He looked like a reach at the time, and now the New York Knicks are taking him with their eighth pick instead of the 25th. Same player, very different resource expended.
Team Fit: In brief, exactly what it is now. He is coming off of the bench early in his career but soon will take over as the starting point guard alongside RJ Barrett in the backcourt. Frank Ntilikina is on the fringe of head coach Tom Thibodeau’s rotation, and Derrick Rose, Elfrid Payton and Austin Rivers are all journeyman veterans. The future spot currently belongs to Quickley.
What’s Changed? Obi Toppin has been a decent offensive player who is neither versatile enough nor stout enough on defense to earn the starting position for Thibodeau. He likely doesn’t have a large role on a successful team, a floor-raiser rather than a ceiling-raiser. Quickley may not be a future star either, but his skillset fits a good team much better.