This lightning-quick Raptors point guard is now eligible for trade

Last month, an important date—December 15—passed, enabling several recently signed offseason acquisitions to become trade eligible. This included the Raptors' Bruno Fernando, who was subsequently waived this month, as well as veteran Garrett Temple.

Fast forward to January 15, and this date marks another significant milestone for several NBA teams, as a new list of 18 players has had their trade restrictions lifted, including a notable player from the Toronto Raptors.

Immanuel Quickley's contract can now be used in a trade

This time, we’re not just discussing two low-end reserves; Raptors franchise point guard Immanuel Quickley can now serve as a valuable asset in trade discussions if Toronto decides to include him in a deal.

Quickley re-signed with the Toronto Raptors this past offseason, securing a lucrative new agreement valued at $175 million over five years.

Before Raptors nation becomes too alarmed, it seems that the Toronto Raptors are not currently shopping their lightning-fast point guard, despite his injury-prone season. The world of NBA basketball invites fans and analysts to speculate on numerous trade possibilities, and there are certainly hypothetical scenarios circulating in the community that include Quickley's name.

Quickley can be exceptionally impressive on his best nights, showcasing significant playmaking potential and clutch scoring ability, making him a strong candidate for the Raptors' untouchable list. However, Raptors history reveals that being a focal point in the present doesn't always secure a spot on the roster; just ask DeMar DeRozan.

If the Raptors' front office envisions a future where they can expand their talent pool and become a title-contending team, then no player should be considered off-limits. Given Masai Ujiri's knack for orchestrating unconventional trade deals, it’s conceivable that a transaction could arise that would allow him to maximize value for a player of IQ's caliber.

In a previous article, we explored a potential trade scenario in which speedy Kings point guard De'Aaron Fox could end up in Toronto. However in that piece, we imagined a hypothetical situation where both Fox and Quickley formed the guard tandem, with a more likely scenario of RJ Barrett being on his way out.

At the time of writing, Quickley's recurring injury woes have once again returned as he's been ruled out for the Raptors' January 15 matchup with the Boston Celtics.

Regardless, it would likely be best for the Toronto Raptors to hold onto Quickley for a few more seasons to assess his potential alongside this emerging young core. Raptors fans haven't had much opportunity to see the "BBQ" trio in action, and they need to evaluate the lineup's capabilities in a more playoff-focused setting. Once those questions are answered, it may become clearer whether Quickley is expendable.

Rest assured that, for the time being, there is confidence that Quickley is likely off the table, even though his contract now permits him to be part of trade discussions.