Towns Says He Wants Long Knicks Stay; Porter Shines in Return; Thomas MRI Pending; Raptors Tout Quickley and Barrett Growth
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Center-forward Karl-Anthony Towns reiterated that he hopes to remain with the New York Knicks, saying playing near family “means more than the money.” The five-time All-Star is signed through 2026/27 and holds a $61 million player option for 2027/28. New York passed on a two-year extension before the season, but Towns becomes extension-eligible again next summer. He described his relationship with president Leon Rose and senior vice president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas as “great,” adding he would “go have lunch with them right now.”
Porter Scores 35 After Back Issue
Brooklyn’s Michael Porter Jr. returned Monday after missing two games with lower-back tightness and totaled 35 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals in a win over Charlotte. The forward credited rookie head coach Jordi Fernández for offensive schemes that free him from face-guarding defenses, calling Fernández “a genius of a coach.”
Thomas Set for MRI on Hamstring
Nets guard Cam Thomas, out more than three weeks with a strained left hamstring, will undergo an MRI later this week, head coach Jordi Fernández said. Thomas was limited to 25 games last season after multiple strains of the same hamstring.
Raptors Praise Quickley, Barrett Development
Raptors coach Darko Rajaković highlighted several areas of growth for Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett, acquired from New York nearly two years ago. Rajaković said Quickley has become “one of the best” on-ball defenders on the team, while Barrett is attacking the rim more, taking more catch-and-shoot threes and scoring off cuts. Barrett remains day-to-day with a knee sprain and has yet to resume on-court work.
Source: Hoops Rumors
