NBA News Roundup, Tuesday, October 8th: Kyle Lowry extends Toronto stay, Steven Adams addresses ongoing OKC trade rumors and more

The 2019-20 NBA season will get underway in just two weeks, and several teams are hoping to contend thanks to the apparent demise of the Golden State Warriors. The Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers, Houston Rockets, and Philadelphia 76ers are among the teams entering the new campaign in a strong position, although plenty could still change in the coming weeks.

The Miami Heat continue to be linked with a second-star to pair with Jimmy Butler, and big names such as Kevin Love, Andre Drummond, and Chris Paul have been linked with trades. So, with no shortage of stories around the NBA, here is all the latest news and rumors you need to know for October 8th.

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Kyle Lowry signs Toronto Raptors contract extension

Kyle Lowry has extended his stay with the Toronto Raptors until 2021

Kyle Lowry was among the Toronto Raptors' best performers during their championship-winning season, although the veteran's future with the franchise has been called into question since the departure of Kawhi Leonard. Nevertheless, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that Lowry has agreed on a new one-year extension:

Kyle Lowry and the Toronto Raptors have agreed on a one-year, $31 million contract extension that takes the five-time All-Star guard out of July's free-agent market, agent Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports told ESPN. The extension guarantees Lowry two years and $64 million on the books

Wojnarowski's report states that both the Raptors and Lowry were keen to get a deal done ahead of the new season, and the 33-year-old remains determined to see out his career in Toronto.

While the Raptors lost Leonard and Danny Green in free agency, the presence of Lowry, Marc Gasol, Fred VanVleet, and Pascal Siakam is expected to be enough to put the team in a position to contend in a poor Eastern Conference.

Steven Adams addresses a potential trade from the Thunder

Steven Adams has been linked with a trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder entered rebuild mode over the summer as Paul George, Russell Westbrook, and Jeremi Grant all exited the team during an offseason of change. As one of the Thunder's remaining high-earners, Steven Adams has been linked with a trade and the 26-year-old told ESPN’s Royce Young that he would accept the Thunder's decision to offload him:

You’re just here to help. Even if they did trade me, it’s obviously just a huge honor. And I know with every player that’s here, it’s been a huge honor to contribute to the history that Oklahoma is making.

Adams has been with the Thunder since 2013, and the Kiwi has been a key performer under Billy Donovan. During the 2018-19 season, Adams averaged 13.9 points and 9.5 rebounds and has two years remaining on his current contract.

Lonzo Ball felt 'on edge' while playing alongside LeBron James

Lonzo Ball spent the 18-19 season playing alongside LeBron James

Before being included in the blockbuster trade for Anthony Davis earlier this summer, Lonzo Ball spent his second and final season in Los Angeles playing alongside LeBron James. James was full of praise for the young point guard during their time together in Los Angeles, although Lonzo says that he felt 'on edge' while playing with the 15-time All-Star:

I had been watching him my whole life, and I own his jerseys and everything. I was kind of on edge, like I didn’t know how to be around him. Because I had never really been around someone I looked up to like that.

Following a season filled with off-the-court drama, the Lakers finished well outside of the playoffs with a 37-45 record. Ball was sent to the Pelicans in June, and the 21-year-old will be hoping to live up to his potential following two injury-hit campaigns in LA.