NBA News Roundup, Wednesday, July 31st: Zion Williamson intends to spend entire career with the Pelicans, update on Jeremy Lin and more

The 2019 offseason is now well underway, and NBA fans have already been treated to plenty of blockbuster moves.

Superstars such as Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis have been traded to title-contending teams, whereas the likes of Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and Al Horford all opted to seek a new challenge in free agency.

Due to this, the 2019-20 campaign is quickly gearing up to be among the most exciting seasons in recent memory, and additional offseason moves are likely in the coming weeks. So, with plenty going on around the NBA, here is all the latest news and rumors you need to know for July 31st.

#3 Zion Willamson wants to spend his entire NBA career with the New Orleans Pelicans

Zion envisions himself spending his entire career with the same franchise

After attracting nationwide attention during his season with Duke, Zion Williamson was taken by the New Orleans Pelicans with the first pick of the 2019 draft. The 19-year-old is rated by many as the best teenager to enter the league since LeBron James back in 2003, and Williamson is expected to quickly establish himself as one the top talents in the NBA.

Upon being drafted by the Pelicans, some speculated that Williamson was already planning a future move to a bigger market, although the Duke product told Macklin Stern of Complex that he hopes to stay with the Pelicans for his entire career:

Personally, I’ve always told myself I want to stay with one team. My intentions are to stay with the Pelicans my whole career, but if something happens, I wouldn’t leave because I hate the place. It’s just the business

After losing Anthony Davis, Williamson's arrival served as a huge boost to the NBA’s smallest market team. The teenager will form part of an exciting young core alongside Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, and Brandon Ingram.

#2 Jeremy Lin turns down an offer from the EuroLeague; remains focused on a return to the NBA

Jeremy Lin spent much of the 18-19 season with the Atlanta Hawks

Earlier this week, Jeremy Lin expressed his belief that the NBA has given up on him, and was considering an offer from Europe. Nevertheless, Sportando is reporting that Lin's potential move to CSKA Moscow has broken down, and the 30-year-old is now determined to resume his career in the NBA:

The deal between Jeremy Lin & CSKA Moscow falls apart,a source told Emiliano Carchia of Sportando. The free agent guard turned down CSKA Moscow’s proposal because he is not interested, at least for now, to sign in Europe.

Lin’s career has been full of ups and downs, and the point guard is coming off another mixed season. Lin started the season well with the Hawks but featured sparingly following his mid-season move to the Toronto Raptors.

During Toronto’s title-winning postseason run, Lin Played in just eight contests, averaging less than four minutes per game.

CJ McCollum signs new long-term deal with the Portland Trail Blazers

CJ McCollum has played a key role in the Portland Trail Blazers' recent success

After reaching the 2019 Western Conference Finals, the Portland Trail Blazers have plenty of momentum heading into the new season, and ESPN is reporting that CJ McCollum has signed a new long-term deal with the franchis:

Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum has agreed to a three-year, $100 million contract extension, extending his current deal to five years and $157 million, his agent, Sam Goldfeder of Excel Sports, told ESPN.

McCollum has played a vital role in the Blazers' formidable backcourt and is coming off a year in which he averaged 21.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game.

McCollum joins Damian Lillard in committing his long-term future to Portland, and the Trail Blazers now have both player's locked down for the prime years.