Raptors’ Struggles Highlight Quickley’s Slow Start
The Toronto Raptors are off to a promising start, having won three consecutive games, but one of their highest-paid players is struggling to find his rhythm. As the team embarks on a five-game road trip, the spotlight is on Immanuel Quickley, whose performance has not met the expectations tied to his $175 million contract.
Team Dynamics and Key Performers
Toronto’s early-season success has been fueled by standout performances from Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, and RJ Barrett. Collectively, these three players have propelled the Raptors’ offense into the upper echelon of the league, converting better than 50% of their shots and shouldering a significant workload. However, as they thrive, Quickley’s struggles have become increasingly apparent.
Analyst Grant Hughes expressed concern regarding Quickley’s early-season woes, stating, “As his top three teammates have surged, Quickley is shooting under 40.0 percent from the field and under 30.0 percent from deep, amassing a minus-25 in his first 220 minutes of court time.” With his recent history, including a challenging 2024-25 season marred by injuries, Quickley was expected to step up, yet he has faltered in his contributions thus far.
Quickley’s Performance Under Scrutiny
Quickley has averaged 13 points and 6.4 assists per game, but his shooting percentages tell a different story—just over 38% from the field and less than 28% from beyond the arc. These figures are concerning for a player with such a high financial investment from the franchise. While the season is still in its early stages, Quickley’s performance has raised eyebrows, prompting discussions about his role moving forward.
Head coach Darko Rajakovic remains optimistic about Quickley’s potential to turn things around, emphasizing that the team cannot rely solely on Barnes, Ingram, and Barrett to maintain their high level of play indefinitely. However, as the season progresses, the stakes will rise, and Quickley must find a way to regain his form.
Looking Ahead: Potential Changes in the Rotation
With eight games completed, the Raptors will soon need to evaluate Quickley’s contributions more critically. If his performance does not improve over the next stretch of games, the coaching staff may consider adjustments to the rotation. This could mean increasing minutes for backup point guard Jamal Shead or even exploring trade possibilities, including high-profile names like Ja Morant.
As the Raptors continue their campaign, Quickley faces mounting pressure to elevate his game. The coming weeks will be crucial for him—both to prove his value to the team and to help solidify Toronto’s position in a competitive NBA landscape.
