The Raptors know a thing or two about overpaid role players. Jakob Poeltl, who struggled greatly this season after missing some time with a back injury, finds himself in many conversations of that nature. Now, Immanuel Quickley has slipped into the debate as well despite what Sam Vecenie dubbed an “underrated” season.
“He was really, really underrated this past year,” Vecenie said on the Game Theory Podcast when he broke down the Raptors’ offseason. “He averaged 16 points, 6 assists, shot like 45, 37, 82. He was a real driver of offense for them at times. I thought he was really good. I still think he’s probably overpaid at $32 million at the end of the day.”
The Raptors have a lot of long-term money committed to a handful of players—Quickley, Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, and Jakob Poeltl. Those big contracts will limit them financially this offseason when it comes to re-signing Sandro Mamukelashvili and possibly offering RJ Barrett an extension.
However, unless the Raptors can pull off a trade for an upgrade, they need Quickley, even if he’s overpaid.
Quickley’s offense is incredibly valuable for the Raptors
Quickley offers an offensive skillset no one else on the Raptors’ roster does. He is quick with the ball in his hands, can space the floor, and, most importantly, he creates offense alongside Scottie Barnes.
Quickley averaged 5.9 assists in the regular season while also scoring 16.4 points per game and shooting 37.4% from three on almost seven attempts per game. When he went down with plantar fasciitis and a hamstring issue, the need for Scottie Barnes to create offense increased to a point where it seemed almost unfair to expect him to be the Raptors’ go-to defender and primary offensive creator, as well as a top scorer.
While Quickley was not the most accurate 3-point shooter in the Raptors regular rotation—that crown goes to Ja’Kobe Walter—he was the team’s leader in 3-point attempts per game and stretched defenses out with an above-average shooting percentage. He and Brandon Ingram were the only real 3-point threats in the Raptors’ preferred starting lineup.
The Raptors found ways to make up for Quickley’s absence by trusting Barnes and Jamal Shead to take on the playmaking burden and allowing Walter to shine as a 3-point shooter, but the offense is still better off when Quickley is playing.
If the Raptors cannot pull off a trade for an All-Star guard, like Jamal Murray, this summer, they need Quickley’s offense, no matter how much money he makes.
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