NBA Notes: Raptors, Immanuel Quickley, Nets, Michael Porter Jr, Knicks

Raptors

The Raptors are getting real growth from their two big pieces from the Knicks trade, as relayed by Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News.

Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett have sharpened their games over the past two years, and coach Darko Rajakovic says the work is obvious.

“Immanuel improved his defense on the ball dramatically. He’s one of the best defensive players that we have now on the ball. Also very disruptive with his hands,” Rajakovic said. “RJ’s shot selection is a little bit different. He’s getting much more to the rim, he’s doing catch-and-shoot threes, he’s scoring more off cuts.”

Barrett is still dealing with a knee sprain and hasn’t returned to on-court work yet, but the knee is improving. Toronto considers him day-to-day.

Toronto topped the Trail Blazers on Tuesday in a close one.

Nets

Michael Porter Jr. returned from two games of back tightness and immediately played like a man making up for lost time. Thirty-five points. Seven rebounds. Four assists. Two steals.

All in a win over Charlotte, and one of his best outings of the season.

Porter has flourished inside coach Jordi Fernandez’s offense, and he didn’t hide how much he appreciates the setup.

“Well, I think Jordi is a genius of a coach,” Porter said. “Teams are face-guarding me and trying not to let me catch the ball, and the different creative ways Jordi has our team running plays to help me get touches is really next level. He’s making it so easy for me to play my game.”

The Nets are asking a lot of Porter in his first season with the team, and he is answering with career-best production.

Knicks

Karl-Anthony Towns made his feelings clear. He wants to stay in New York.

“Hell yeah, hell yeah. I want to stay here,” Towns said, via Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. “It means more than the money. To be home, see my family, play for these fans. I would like it to continue.”

The Knicks and Towns never gained traction on an extension before the season, but with two more chances to extend him before he hits his player option in 2027, the conversation could shift next summer. Towns insists the relationship is strong.

“Me, Leon Rose and Gersson Rosas and everyone, we’re great,” Towns said. “I’ll go have lunch with them right now. We’re good.”

New York dropped a tight one in Boston on Tuesday night.