Immanuel Quickley Posts Emotional Goodbye to Knicks Fans

Former New York Knicks players Immanuel Quickley and R.J. Barrett were shockingly traded to the Toronto Raptors last month for OG Anunoby, Malachi Flynn, and Precious Achiuwa. 

Quickley and Barrett were two of the young players that the Knicks had developed over the last few years. The 25-year-old Quickley was selected with the 25th overall pick in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

However, Quickley was acquired by New York a couple of days later in a massive three-team trade involving the Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves. The former University of Kentucky guard had a lot of fond memories of playing with the Knicks and took the time to pen a farewell letter to fans in the Players' Tribune.

In his letter called ‘Dear New York,’ Quickley thanked the fans for supporting him and the team too. He also expressed his love for the city.

“Last but not least, I want to thank the fans for staying with us, for staying with me. I wish I could hug all of you guys. Every night you go out there on the court, you’re playing for the team above all else. But that way you guys embraced me gave me something to play for that was bigger than myself, bigger than the team. Every night, deep down I was playing for you.”

It was a fantastic letter from the young guard that will touch Knicks fans as he truly loved playing for the team and Madison Square Garden. 

Quickley has played well since being traded to Toronto, averaging 19.2 points, 6.2 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game. Quickley and Barrett will return to the Garden on Saturday, Jan. 20, as the Raptors take a quick trip to NYC to play the Knicks.