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The 2019 off-season is now well underway, and NBA fans have already been treated to almost a month of excitement. Superstars such as Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis have been traded to title-contending teams, whereas the likes of Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and Al Horford all opted to seek a new challenge in free agency.
Due to this, the 2019-20 season is quickly gearing up to be among the most exciting seasons in recent memory, and plenty could still happen in the latter stages of the postseason.
A number of notable free agents remain available, while players such as Bradley Beal, Steven Adams, and Serge Ibaka continue to be linked with moves. So, with plenty going on around the NBA, here is all the latest news and rumours you need to know for July 29th.
JaVale McGee could be traded by the Los Angeles Lakers
JaVale McGee joined the Los Angeles Lakers last summer, and the veteran centre was a steady performer in his debut season, averaging 12.0 points and 7.5 rebounds in 22.3 minutes per game. McGee's performances were rewarded with a new two-year contract in free agency, although Bleacher Report believes that the 31-year-old could be offloaded in the coming months:
His contract is just two years for minimal money, so he could be easily be moved to a frontcourt-needy team like the Boston Celtics (though it's doubtful the Lakers would help them willingly) or Milwaukee Bucks.
The Lakers currently have a stacked frontcourt, and DeMarcus Cousins is expected to start at centre following his recent move. This could leave McGee with a limited role, and the Lakers are also alarmingly short on trade assets.
Enes Kanter joined the Boston Celtics in order to win a championship
Enes Kanter made a huge impression during the Portland Trail Blazers' run to the Western Conference Finals, and the Turkish star attracted plenty of interest in free agency. The 27-year-old eventually opted to join the Boston Celtics, and Kanter told HoopsHype that he was swayed by the franchises ability to contend for a title:
For me, the most important thing is being with a team that you’re really happy on and playing with a team that’s competing for a championship. That’s was the big thing for me. For everybody else, the money matters. For me, the No. 1 thing was winning.
Despite losing Kyrie Irving and Al Horford, the Celtics appear one of the best-equipped teams to compete in a historically weak Eastern Conference next season.
Jeremy Lin feels left behind by the NBA
Jeremy Lin hit free agency almost a month ago, although the 30-year-old has yet to find a new team. Recent reports have suggested that the point guard could head to Europe, and Lin told Good TV that he feels that his NBA could be over:
But rock bottom just seems to keep getting more and more rock bottom for me. So, free agency has been tough. Because I feel like in some ways the NBA's kind of given up on me
Lin started the 18-19 season well, averaging 10.7 points over 51 appearances with the Atlanta Hawks. However, the 30-year-old was waived around the trade deadline and failed to make much of an impact in Toronto Raptors.
During Toronto's playoff run, Lin made just eight appearances from the bench, averaging just under 3.5 minutes per game.
