NBA News Roundup, Tuesday, September 17th: Update on why Chris Paul was traded to the Thunder, Orlando Magic exercise Markelle Fultz's option for 2020-21 season and more

The 2019-20 NBA regular season will begin on October 22, although plenty of players could be on the move ahead of the new campaign. Free agents such as Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith remain without teams, while several talents will be cut following training camps.

Meanwhile, big names such as Kevin Love continue to be linked with teams looking to make a statement of intent ahead of the new season, and a blockbuster trade could still materialize over the next five weeks.

So, with the potential for plenty to happen, here is all the latest news and rumors you need to know for September 17th.

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#1 Rockets owner denies the much-reported Chris Paul and James Harden fallout

Chris Paul and James Harden spent two seasons together in Houston

Earlier this summer, a number of sources reported that the Houston Rockets' backcourt duo of James Harden and Chris Paul had fallen out. Paul was subsequently linked with a trade, and was eventually sent to the Oklahoma City Thunder as part of the deal for Russell Westbrook.

Nevertheless, Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta told Sam Amick of The Athletic that the rumored rift was overblown, and the franchise simply viewed Westbrook as a better fit.

I don’t think it had a lot to do (with the Harden-Paul rift). I just think that our basketball ops people thought that this was a better option for us to get to the next level, and I think Chris is going to do an unbelievable job for Oklahoma. We just feel like the way that we want to play that (Westbrook) is just a little bit better fit.

Paul joined the Rockets back in the summer of 2017 and guided the franchise to within one game of the NBA Finals in his first year. However, the 34-year-old was hit by injuries last season and is owed $124 million over the next three seasons.

#2 Derrick Rose and Reggie Bullock will play together in Detroit

Derrick Rose enjoyed a resurgent season with the Timberwolves

The Detroit Pistons have been quiet this summer, with the addition of Derrick Rose among the only notable incomings. Rose enjoyed a resurgent 18-19 season with the Minnesota Timberwolves and the 2011 MVP agreed a two-year, $15 million deal to head to Detroit.

The Pistons already have the impressive Reggie Jackson at point guard, although coach Dwane Casey says Rose and Jackson will feature together:

There will be scenarios where Reggie and Derrick will play together and have multiple ballhandlers in there and basically multiple point guards in there together. Reggie’s size gives you a different advantage – and his shooting.

Last season with the Timberwolves, Rose averaged 18.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. Meanwhile, Jackson managed 15.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per contest during his season in Detroit.

#3 Orlando Magic exercise trio of contract options

Markelle Fultz has yet to make an appearance for the Orlando Magic

Following a first playoff appearance since the departure of Dwight Howard, the Orlando Magic decided to go all-in with the current roster this summer as the team signed the veteran duo of Nikola Vucevic and Terrence Ross to new long-term deals.

The Magic also have plenty of young talent, and ESPN is reporting that the organization has exercised a trio of contract extensions:

The Orlando Magic exercised the fourth-year team options on guard Markelle Fultz and forward Jonathan Isaac and the third-year team option on center Mo Bamba. All three players are now signed through the 2020-21 season. Fultz's option was for $12.3 million.

Fultz has yet to play for the Magic following his trade from the Philadelphia 76ers. Isaac was a regular starter last season, while Bamba struggled for form and minutes during his rookie campaign.