NBA News Roundup, Saturday, September 21st: Rockets owner backs Carmelo Anthony to return to the NBA, Klay Thompson wants to represent USA in Tokyo and more

The new NBA season is now less than a month away, and basketball fans have plenty to be excited about. The LA Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Utah Jazz will all be in contention, while the Golden State Warriors will be out to prove that they can still compete despite losing Kevin Durant to the Nets.

Plenty could also still happen before the new season begins, as the likes of Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith remain available as free agents. Meanwhile, big names such as Kevin Love continue to be linked with a trade, and at least one big move could materialize before opening night. So, with the 19-20 NBA season quickly approaching, here is all the latest news and rumors you need to know for 21st September.

#1 Houston Rockets sign Thabo Sefolosha to one-year deal

Thabo Sefolosha has spent the past two seasons with the Utah Jazz

The Houston Rockets are short on bodies heading into the new season, and earlier this week, the team invited several veteran free agents to their minicamp. Thabo Sefolosha was among those present and ESPN is reporting that the Rockets have signed the veteran to a one-year deal:

Forward Thabo Sefolosha has agreed to sign a fully guaranteed one-year deal with the Houston Rockets for the veteran's minimum, sources confirmed to ESPN on Friday. Sefolosha, a 13-year veteran, has been among several free agents who attended the Rockets' voluntary minicamp in Las Vegas this week.

Sefolosha is widely regarded as the best Swiss basketball player of all time, and the 35-year-old spent the 18-19 season with the Utah Jazz. The small forward managed 3.8 points and 2.5 rebounds over 50 regular-season appearances and has career averages of 5.9 points and 3.8 rebounds.

Sefolosha also spent time playing alongside Russell Westbrook and James Harden in Oklahoma City and will be expected to provide three-point shooting from the bench.

#2 Klay Thompson becomes the latest All-Star to declare his intent to play in the 2020 Olympics

Klay Thompson is keen to return to the International team

During the buildup to the 2019 FIBA World Cup tournament, a number of the Team USA's top talents withdrew from selection, and Gregg Popovich's team were eventually eliminated at the quarterfinals stage by France.

Team USA also lost to Serbia in a classification game and the likes of Kobe Bryant subsequently declared that the nation was no longer the dominant force in international basketball.

Nevertheless, several NBA talents have since come forward to express their interest in playing at next years Olympics, and Klay Thompson told The Athletic that he is keen to take part:

I would love to play (for) Team USA. That is the plan. I would love to be on the Olympic team.

Thompson's Golden State teammates Draymond Green and Steph Curry have also stated their intent to play in Japan.

#3 Tilman Fertitta backs Carmelo Anthony to make a return to the NBA

Carmelo Anthony's time with the Houston Rockets was brief

After agreeing to a buyout with the Atlanta Hawks last summer, Carmelo Anthony joined the Houston Rockets on a minimum deal. The 10-time All-Star was expected to lead Mike D'Antoni's reserve unit, although the Rockets decided to part with Anthony after just 10 games.

Nevertheless, during an interview with SNY’s Ian Begley, Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta backed the veteran star to make a return this season:

One hundred percent. Let me tell you: there's a bunch of teams and I guarantee you if there's 150 starters for the 30 teams that Carmelo Anthony is still one of the top 150 players in the National Basketball Association.

During his 10 appearances in Houston, Melo averaged 13.4 points and 5.4 rebounds. He has since been linked with a move to the LA Lakers and Brooklyn Nets.