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The 2019-20 NBA season is quickly approaching, and several teams played their first pre-season games last night. Nevertheless, while the season is less than three weeks away, plenty could still happen ahead of opening night.
Veteran free agents such as Carmelo Anthony, J.R. Smith, and Kenneth Faried are still yet to land in teams ahead of the new season, while big names including Chris Paul and Kevin Love have been linked with blockbuster trades. So, with plenty going on around the NBA, here is all the latest news and rumors you need to know for October 6th.
The Golden State Warriors are in the market for a center
The Golden State Warriors lost DeMarcus Cousins in free agency, while the team is also contesting with injuries to its remaining big men. Willie Cauley-Stein will miss the opening weeks of the 2019-20 season with a foot injury, while Kevon Looney could also miss time through a hamstring injury.
The injuries leave the Warriors with few options at center heading into the new campaign, and head coach Steve Kerr told Connor Letourneau of San Francisco Chronicle that the team was considering bringing in a veteran big:
There’s been some thought (of adding another center). We had a workout yesterday with a few guys. That’ll be decided sometime in the next few days. We are in a tough spot at that center position - not just in terms of the season 2½ weeks from now, but just training camp. We haven’t decided what we’re going to do, but we’ll see.
If the Warriors fail to add a center ahead of the new season, Omari Spellman will likely start at the five.
Philadelphia 76ers remain in the market for a veteran sharpshooter
Despite losing Jimmy Butler to the Miami Heat, the Philadelphia 76ers enjoyed a strong offseason. The team managed to sign Al Horford from one of their Eastern Conference rivals, while Tobias Harris also signed a new long-term deal. Nevertheless, the Sixers remain short on sharpshooters, and general manager Elton Brand confirmed that his side was keen to sign a veteran scorer:
We are going to monitor, for sure. A lot of things have to fall into place as in any championship run. But I’m certainly going to look at and monitor and look at any ways I can improve the team throughout the season.
The Sixers could call upon JJ Redick's sharpshooting last season, although the veteran headed to the New Orleans Pelicans in free agency. With the free-agent market now limited, the Sixers may have to look towards a trade as the season advances.
Danny Ainge excited about Gordon Hayward
The Boston Celtics endured an underwhelming offseason as they lost Kyrie Irving, Al Horford, and Terry Rozier. Nevertheless, the Celtics managed to bring in Kemba Walker, while Gordon Hayward's improvement in practice has been much publicized.
Hayward has yet to hit top form since his high-profile move to Boston back in 2017, although Danny Ainge says he is excited to see how the 29-year-old performs after he impressed over the summer:
I think right now there's been a lot of buzz about Gordon and his comeback and I'm worried that it's getting a little out of hand. Like, I think he's Gordon. He's back to being Gordon. And we're very excited about that. I sometimes worry, like, 'Oh my gosh, they think it's somebody else.' But I'm excited about Gordon.
After missing almost the entire 2017-18 season, Hayward returned last year - but soon dropped to the Celtics bench. Over 72 appearances, the former Jazz star averaged 11.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game.
