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The 2019-20 NBA season is already underway with the Toronto Raptors hosting New Orleans Pelicans tonight and all eyes will be on Staples Center as the Los Angeles Lakers take on the LA Clippers. However, there is also plenty happening off the court, and plenty of players around the league continue to face uncertain futures with their current teams.
So, with plenty going on around the NBA, here we will take a look at all the latest news and rumors you need to know for October 22.
#1 Steve Kerr expects Klay Thompson to miss the entire 19-20 season
For the first time in four years, the Golden State Warriors are not entering the new season as favorites for the title. Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston, and DeMarcus Cousins all left in the offseason, while Klay Thompson is also recovering from a torn ACL.
The 29-year-old was initially expected to return after the All-Star break, however, head coach Steve Kerr offered a new update earlier today, telling NBC Sports Bay Area that Thompson is likely to miss the entire 19-20 season:
"It's unlikely that he's going to play this year. You have to look at it realistically. I had an ACL [tear] in college, and I missed a whole season. Generally, an ACL for a basketball player is a full-year recovery, and if it's a full year for Klay, that puts them out for the season."
Thompson tore the ACL in his left knee during Game 6 of the NBA Finals and underwent surgery two weeks later. While he may not play this season, Thompson's long-term future with the Warriors is assured after he signed a five-year, $190 million deal during the offseason.
#2 Jaylen Brown says it was an easy decision to extend his contract with the Boston Celtics
Heading into yesterday's extension deadline, few believed that Jaylen Brown would be among the players from the 2016 draft class that would agree to a new deal. However, after weeks of negotiations, Brown finally agreed on a huge new 4-year, $115 million contract extension with the Boston Celtics.
Brown was expected to attract significant interest from around the NBA if he had entered free agency next summer, although the 22-year-old says it was an easy decision to remain with the Celtics.
Brown was selected by the Celtics with the third overall pick back in 2016 and the forward showed his star potential during the 2018 playoffs. Last season, he averaged 13.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game - and the Celtics will be hopeful that his stats will take a jump over the forthcoming season.
#3 New Orleans Pelicans expected to pick up the fourth-year options on Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart
Brandon Ingram will hit restricted free agency next summer after failing to agree on a contract extension with the Pelicans ahead of Monday's deadline, although ESPN's Andrew Lopez is reporting that New Orleans is set to keep Josh Hart and Lonzo Ball for a further year.
Hart and Ball joined the Pelicans alongside Ingram this summer as part of the blockbuster trade that sent Anthony Davis to Los Angeles. Since entering the NBA as the second overall pick in 2017, Ball has made 99 appearances, averaging 10.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game.
Meanwhile, Hart was traded on draft night to Los Angeles in 2017 and went on to play 130 times for the Lakers, averaging 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. Both players are expected to be starters following their move to New Orleans.
