#Immanuel Quickley slump draws big Knicks question

The calls for starting Immanuel Quickley at point guard have died down.

The Knicks’ 6-foot-3 combo guard, recently billed as a potential rookie-of-the-year candidate once LaMelo Ball suffered a season-ending injury, has seen some slippage.

For a player whose defense is below average and who is not considered a playmaker, the Knicks need his shooting efficiency to be better than it has been.

Following a dud game versus the Nets on Monday, Quickley is shooting just 38.4 percent from the field. The 21-year-old played just 13 minutes in Brooklyn, shooting 1 of 4 for three points, having problems on the defensive end as Kyrie Irving and Co. posted a three-game sweep.

Quickly played just three minutes in the second half — benched for most of the fourth quarter, likely for defensive concerns.

The rookie wall could be a factor in his dip, but also the question looms as to whether he’s really the point guard of the future or a solid bench scorer with moxie who lacks the playmaking skills to make teammates better.

On the season, Quickley is averaging 12.2 points, but just 2.2 assists. He’s more bomber than distributor with a trademark floater that hasn’t been as exact as earlier in the season.

He’s also drawing less fouls — which is a concern because he’s a dynamite free-throw shooter (89.4 percent). In five of the last six games, he’s taken no more than two free throws.

“He played above his pay grade the first few months,’’ said longtime Sixers college scout Michael VandeGarde, who now runs his own scouting service. “He’s coming back down to earth. It happens a lot with kids for short periods when they play so well early. Only time will tell what he really is.’’

Quickley’s shooting percentage has dropped each month. After missing time in December because of a hip injury, Quickley shot 41.2 percent in January, 37.4 percent in February, 37.1 percent in March. In three April games, he’s at 31.6 percent. He’s not looking like the next Damian Lillard at the moment.

“He doesn’t pass or rebound and was 6-2 (as measured at the NBA combine),’’ VandeGarde said. “The jury is still a long ways from a verdict. Other teams didn’t talk about him or think about him early on and now he’s on the scouting report. Not many kids his size have long quality careers as a scorer only.’’

It’s no secret some members of Knicks brass were leery about the pick at 25, feeling they could trade back and get him or even use their 33rd pick to snare him.

“For a deadly free-throw shooter, the touch on jumper needs work,’’ said one NBA advance scout. “But he has a scorer’s feel for the game. He’s not a playmaker and his defense like most rookies need a lot of work. But you like his competitiveness and fearlessness. He carries himself like he belongs, so that’s good. He will certainly get the opportunity there to grow into his game.’’

After taking Quickley on the insistence of senior vice president William Wesley and former Kentucky assistant Kenny Payne, the Knicks wound up trading the 33rd pick for a future second-rounder. One player the Knicks could have had at 33 was Oklahoma City’s starting point guard Theo Maledon, who dropped 33 points last week.

Quickley’s regular rotation spot means Frank Ntilikina has been buried and out of the rotation. Ntilikina has played in just 18 of 51 games this season and will be a restricted free agent this summer.

The Knicks didn’t practice Tuesday and Quickley and Thibodeau were unavailable for comment. The Knicks (25-26), who have lost four of five games, haven’t conducted a formal practice since March 22. Thibodeau has said it’s because of the “condensed’’ schedule.

An old-school point guard will remain a need in the offseason after the Knicks passed on Tyrese Haliburton at No. 8 in November. Haliburton, taken by the Kings with the 12th pick, was rated first in the latest NBA’s Kia Rookie Rankings conducted in late March.

With no consensus whether Quickley is their future starting point guard or just a sixth-man sniper, restricted free agent Lonzo Ball will be on the Knicks radar.

The Knicks will face Ball twice — in the Big Easy on April 14 and at the Garden April 18. Those matchups will be fascinating theater.

Another NBA college scout still thinks Quickley is a keeper.

“I remain high on Quickley,’’ the scout said. “He will have a solid career. Either way, starter or off the bench.’’