When the Raptors handed Immanuel Quickley a five-year, $175 million extension during the 2024 offseason, eyebrows were raised across the league. That’s a big number for a restricted free agent - especially one who hadn’t fully cemented himself as a star.
But in an NBA economy where contracts keep climbing and potential is often paid for in advance, there was a logic to the gamble. If Quickley made the leap, the Raptors could’ve locked in a high-level guard at a price that might look team-friendly down the line.
Fast forward to now, and the return on that investment is still very much a mixed bag.
To be clear, Quickley’s had his moments. He recently earned Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors after a red-hot stretch that reminded everyone why Toronto bet big on him in the first place.
When he’s on, IQ can light it up with a smooth shooting stroke, off-the-dribble creativity, and the kind of microwave scoring that can swing quarters. But the issue - and it’s becoming harder to ignore - is the inconsistency.
In back-to-back games against New York and Orlando, Quickley struggled to recapture that West Coast magic. The highs are high, but the lows are still too frequent. And for a Raptors team trying to build a new identity in the post-VanVleet/Siakam era, the volatility makes it tough to fully commit to him as the long-term answer at point guard.
The Raptors' Dilemma: Ride It Out or Re-Route?
Toronto’s front office is facing a complicated reality. Quickley’s contract - once viewed as a potential asset - has yet to attract real interest on the trade market. That’s not to say he’s unmovable, but other teams aren’t exactly lining up to take on a $30+ million per year deal for a player still searching for consistency.
If the Raptors want to move him, it might take attaching draft capital - something no team wants to do lightly, especially one in a retooling phase. The other option? Stay the course and hope that Quickley finds his rhythm, settles into a defined role, and delivers enough steady play to justify the investment.
There’s also the bigger picture to consider. Toronto has been loosely linked to the growing Giannis Antetokounmpo chatter, and while that may be more dream than reality, the idea of packaging players like RJ Barrett, Jakob Poeltl, Brandon Ingram (if he were available), and Quickley as upside pieces is at least a theoretical path. But for that to work, Quickley has to be seen as a net positive - not a contract that needs sweetening.
Where Does Quickley Fit Now?
With RJ Barrett back in the lineup, the Raptors' backcourt rotation is getting more crowded. That’s added another layer of complexity to Quickley’s role.
Earlier in the season, he looked more comfortable playing alongside another strong ball handler like Jamal Shead. In those lineups, Quickley didn’t have to shoulder full point guard duties, and it showed - his decision-making was sharper, and his scoring came more naturally.
Since shifting away from that approach, the results have been uneven. It’s becoming clearer that Quickley thrives when he’s freed up to play off the ball, attack closeouts, and pick his spots, rather than orchestrating the offense possession after possession.
That’s not necessarily a knock - plenty of great guards in today’s NBA operate best in that secondary creator role. But it does raise questions about how the Raptors envision his fit moving forward.
What’s Next for IQ and the Raptors?
This is the kind of crossroads moment that defines front offices. Toronto made a bold bet on Quickley’s upside - and there’s still time for that bet to pay off.
He’s shown flashes that suggest he can be the guy they hoped for. But at this stage, the Raptors need more than flashes.
They need consistency. They need leadership.
They need impact - especially in games that matter.
Whether that comes from Quickley in Toronto or from another player down the line, the Raptors have some decisions to make. They’ve invested in IQ, and now it’s about finding the right role, the right supporting cast, and the right formula to bring out the best version of him.
Because if that version doesn’t show up soon, the conversation around Quickley’s contract - and his place in Toronto’s future - is only going to get louder.