NBA Realities

There is a perception around the league that Immanuel Quickley will emerge as the best player in the trade between the New York Knicks and the Toronto Raptors. Michael Pina of the Ringer asked who is the best player in the trade. Nekias Duncan said that OG Anunoby in the immediate future but Quickley long term.

How the Toronto Raptors will use Immanuel Quickley

Unfortunately, the NBA media is getting ahead of itself, as Immanuel Quickley is unlikely to show his full skill set in Toronto because of how they use guards. Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajaković is running a ball movement offense in his first season as head coach.

Before the trade, Toronto was second in passes per game, averaging 305.4. Darko’s system has used guards primarily as floor spacers this season.For example, Gary Trent Jr stood on the left wing early in the third quarter of a road game against the Boston Celtics on December 29th 2023.

Trent remained there for the entire possession as Pascal Siakam dribbled the ball up the floor until he reached the restricted area. Siakam passed the ball to Jakob Poeltl, who made a floater.

Guards are 3-point shooters

These possessions have contributed to Trent and Dennis Schroeder taking a minimum of 37.9% of their shots from behind the arc, averaging 5.8 and 4.6 attempts per game, respectively, in 32 outings. At least 67.2% of those attempts have been catch and shoots.

Immanuel Quickley has the tools to thrive in the floor spacer role, making 41.1% of his catch and shoots on 2.4 attempts per game. Catch and shoots have accounted for 46.1% of his attempts, as he is shooting 37% from behind the arc on 5.2 attempts per game.

Unfortunately, the Toronto Raptors‘ usage of guards will not allow Immanuel Quickley to showcase his entire skill set. Immanuel Quickley has spent 35.2 percent of his possessions as a pick-and-roll ball handler, averaging 4.3 per game. He has shot 43.6% from the field on 3.5 attempts per game. Quickley has averaged 4.5 points per game, 34.9 percent of his scoring output.

Sadly, the Toronto Raptors are 26th in pick-and-roll ball-handler possessions, averaging 15.6 per game in 32 outings. Unless Toronto changes its offensive system, he will spend most of his offensive possessions as a floor spacer for the team.