NBA Insider Reveals How Immanuel Quickley's Contract 'Screwed up the market'

Back in 2023, the Toronto Raptors acquired RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley from the New York Knicks in exchange for star forward OG Anunoby. Since then, the team have extended Quickley, announcing a five-year, $162.5 million deal last season, one that will pay him $32.5 million per season.

On paper, this was a massive overpay for Toronto, as the former Sixth Man of the Year candidate has flashed potential, but is yet to put it all together at the highest level in the NBA. In 33 games played for Toronto last season, 'IQ' averaged 17 points and 6 assists per game, but now, the deal handed out is reportedly causing issues around the league.

According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, the deal has messed up the restricted free agency market, with other players around the league now believing they are worth that kind of money.

“The Immanuel Quickley contract has totally screwed up restricted free agency. Because that’s where agents are looking at like the benchmark. Certainly, Josh Giddey's like ‘I want that contract.’ That number has screwed up a lot of things.”

Sure, on paper Quickley has the potential to be a key piece for Toronto moving forward as they look to get back to being post-season contenders, but the deal was a major overpay at the time, and everyone outside of Toronto knew it. Now, it's having major consequences around the league, and with players like Josh Giddey now looking to get paid like this, it's safe to say that we may ultimately see some more overpays as a result moving forward.