'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwf/2gAIAQEAAAAAjo//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAECEAAAAE//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC/9oACAEDEAAAAD//xAAdEAACAwACAwAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMEEQAFIlHB/9oACAEBAAE/AOtirUOvnd6glmSMzvr5iDBgIw++PelV2VBGEBwech+8/8QAGBEAAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAzH/2gAIAQIBAT8Apinp/8QAFhEAAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEC/9oACAEDAQE/ALZ//9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The 2019-20 NBA season is now just five weeks away, and the new campaign is gearing up to be an exciting one after a series of significant offseason moves.
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George both headed to the Los Angeles Clippers, while Anthony Davis will form a superstar duo of his own with LeBron James. Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz landed their number one target in Mike Conley and the Philadelphia 76ers pulled off a surprise move for Al Horford.
While the offseason has been relatively calm since a flurry of early moves, the likelihood of trades increases as the new campaign quickly approaches.
The likes of Kevin Love, Bradley Beal, and Chris Paul are among the big names that could be on the move, with the Miami Heat and Detroit Pistons among the teams wanting to make further additions. So, as we draw closer to opening night, here is all the latest NBA news and rumors you need to know for September 18th.
Boston Celtics sign Yante Maten to an Exhibit 10 deal
The Boston Celtics lost both Al Horford and Kyrie Irving in free agency, although the organization has acted quickly to rebuild. Kemba Walker and Enes Kanter were among the big-name arrivals, and the Boston Globe is reporting that young forward Yante Maten will get the chance to impress over the coming weeks:
The Celtics agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal with forward Yante Maten Tuesday, according to a league source. Maten will be part of Boston’s training camp roster when practice begins on Oct. 1.
Maten was not selected in the 2018 NBA draft but the forward later signed a two-way contract with the Heat. He made just two NBA appearances, but impressed in the G-League, averaging 23.5 points and 9.6 rebounds per game.
Damian Lillard intends to play at next summer's Olympic Games
The United States traveled to the 2019 World Cup having not lost a competitive game since 2006. However, an underwhelming roster exited the competition at the quarter-finals stage following a surprise loss to France.
Damian Lillard was among a number of stars that withdrew before the tournament, although the Portland Trail Blazers star told James McKern that he intends to play at the Summer Olympics next year:
I was on Instagram live yesterday and they told me about it, I didn’t even know (USA had lost)... I plan on being a part of that (2020 Olympics). I plan on playing.
Over the past week, Draymond Green has also expressed his intention to take part in the Tokyo Olympics. Meanwhile, the New York Times is reporting that Steph Curry will also make his return to the national setup.
Iman Shumpert turns Rockets down; Houston will work out a number of notable veterans
Iman Shumpert played 19 times for the Houston Rockets over the final weeks of the 2018-19 regular season, but the 29-year-old has turned down the chance to return to Houston according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Shumpert's snub leaves the Rockets with just nine players signed to guaranteed salaries, although Kelly Iko and Alykhan Bijani are reporting that the Rockets have added an extensive list of veteran free agents to their upcoming training camp.
Among the most notable names are Raymond Felton and Nick Young. Felton has spent the past two years in Oklahoma City putting up steady numbers and a move to Houston would reunite him with Russell Westbrook. Meanwhile, Young played just four times last season but is just a year removed from helping the Golden State Warriors to the NBA championship.
Guess the Lakers players!
