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The 2019-20 NBA season is quickly approaching and several teams are hopeful of competing following a busy summer. The likes of the L.A. Clippers, Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles Lakers all strengthened over the offseason, while Golden State Warriors' current roster is a shadow of the one that guided them to five straight trips to the NBA Finals.
Nevertheless, teams still have time to improve ahead of the new season, and seasoned veterans such as Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith remain available as free agents.
Meanwhile, a high profile trade could also be completed on the eve of the new season, and NBA fans have plenty to look forward to in the final weeks leading up to the new campaign. So, with plenty going on, here are all the latest NBA stories you need to know for October 7th.
#1 Erik Spoelstra believes Jimmy Butler was 'meant to play' for the Miami Heat
After failing to qualify for the playoffs for the second time in three seasons, the Miami Heat entered the summer aiming for a rebuild. The Heat completed the most surprising move of the summer as they managed an unlikely sign-and-trade deal for Jimmy Butler.
The four-time All-Star has made a positive impression since the Heat returned to training last week, and head coach Erik Spoelstra believes Butler is a perfect fit for Miami:
I think the fan base feels the same way we do about Jimmy. We just feel that he has Heat DNA, that he was meant to play here and meant to put on a Miami Heat uniform. He has a magnetic personality that the fan base is really going to enjoy and he’s a very good basketball player.
Butler spent much of the 2018-19 season with the Philadelphia 76ers following an early season trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Over 55 regular season appearances, Butler averaged 18.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game.
#2 Tacko Fall continues to make an impact with the Boston Celtics
After spending four years with UCF, Tacko Fall went undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft. Nevertheless, the Boston Celtics subsequently signed the center and he went on to impress during the Summer League. Fall is hoping to make the Celtics' final roster for the upcoming season, and the 23-year-old once again impressed during Boston's pre-season opener.
Fall had to wait until the fourth quarter to check into the Celtics' matchup against the Charlotte Hornets, although the 7-foot-7 center managed five points, three rebounds, and two blocks during his eight minutes of action.
While Fall could still be cut by the Celtics, head coach Brad Stevens backed the rookie to enjoy a lengthy career:
I just hope people continue to appreciate him for what he is as a person and how hard he's working to try to make it to the NBA. Because he's a really good kid and he's really, really working hard, I think he's going to be in the NBA for a long time.
Fall is currently signed to an Exhibit 10 deal and the Celtics have one open roster spot heading into the new season.
#3 Larry Nance Jr. wants to avoid playing center for the Cavs
The Cleveland Cavaliers endured a miserable 2018-19 season following the departure of LeBron James, although Larry Nance Jr. was among the Cavs' better performers. Playing primarily at center, Nance Jr. featured 68 times, averaging 9.4 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. Nevertheless, the 26-year-old is looking forward to playing at power forward during the upcoming season:
I don’t play 5 really. Thank goodness. I’ve been doing a whole lot of 4. A little bit in the post, a whole lot on the wing. The biggest difference between a 4 and 5 in this offense is kind of the freedom it gives you. I think with my playmaking ability that I kind of found last year I think that best suits me.
Nance Jr. spent his first two seasons in the NBA playing at power forward for the Los Angeles Lakers, and head coach John Beilein has stated his intent to field the Ohio native at the four.
