NBA News Roundup, Thursday, Oct 17: Carmelo was expected to join LA Lakers, Buddy Hield's future with the Kings in doubt and more

The start of the 2019-20 NBA season nears ever closer, and basketball fans are eagerly anticipating what could be one of the most exciting seasons in recent memory. The Golden State Warriors' recent dominance appears to have come to an end following a dramatic summer of change, and several teams will be vying to replace Steve Kerr's team at the top of the NBA.

Plenty could also happen over the next few days as teams around the league finalize their rosters, and with plenty going on, here are all the latest NBA news and rumors you need to know for October 17th.

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#1 Carmelo Anthony 'was expected' to join the Los Angeles Lakers last season

Carmelo Anthony is still without a team after his departure from the Houston Rockets

Following an unsuccessful year-long spell with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Carmelo Anthony headed to the Houston Rockets last summer. The 10-time All-Star was expected to play a key role from Mike D'Antoni's bench, although Anthony was instructed to find a new team after playing just 10 times.

In the months following his departure, Anthony was heavily linked with the Los Angeles Lakers, and according to ESPN's Baxter Holmes, sources close to the veteran believed that he would link up with LeBron James in LA:

In the days and weeks to come, rumors surface of Anthony potentially joining other franchises, and one source close to Anthony says he believes Melo will be joining the Lakers midseason.

A move to the Lakers never materialized, and Anthony is still without a team with less than a week to go until the start of the new NBA season. Anthony could still be given an opportunity as the season progresses, although it is unlikely that he will be signed ahead of opening night.

#2 Buddy Hield unlikely to agree to contract extension with the Kings

Buddy Hield's long-term future with the Sacramento Kings is in doubt

The Sacramento Kings have until next Monday to agree to a contract extension with Buddy Hield, although Yahoo Sports is reporting that the guard is leaning towards pursuing a bigger deal in free agency:

The Kings have an offer for Hield on the table for four years and $90 million. Hield and his agent, Brandon Rosenthal, are seeking a number closer to $110 million, sources said... Sources said Hield is prepared to bet on himself and play out the season to test the market as a restricted free agent next summer

Last season, Hield managed a career-high 20.7 points per game while shooting 43% from three-point range. As they attempt to build upon a promising 2018-19 season, the Kings have also offered Bogdan Bogdanovic a max extension of four years and $51.4 million, although the team has until next summer to get that deal done.

#3 Stan Van Gundy believes the Knicks are heading in the right direction

The New York Knicks added plenty of depth in the offseason

The New York Knicks have not qualified for the postseason since 2013 and the team finished the 18-19 season with a 17-65 record. Despite their woeful form, the front office believed that they would land at least one All-Star during the offseason, although the Knicks could only watch as Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant headed to the Nets.

Nevertheless, TNT’s Stan Van Gundy believes that the Knicks recovered well to the setback and are finally heading in the right direction:

I thought their front office, Scott Perry and Steve Mills, did a good job. They got raked over the coals. Everyone expected them to get one of the major free agents and they didn’t. They went to Plan B and did a good job and got more competitive. They got a better team and retain their flexibility.

Among the notable names bought in were Julius Randle and Taj Gibson, and it is believed that the Knicks will now focus on luring a major free-agent in the summer of 2021.