NBA News Roundup, Thursday, Oct 17: Carmelo was expected to join LA Lakers, Buddy Hield's future with the Kings in doubt and more
The start of the 2019-20 NBA season nears ever closer, and basketball fans are eagerly anticipating what could be one of the most exciting seasons in recent memory. The Golden State Warriors' recent dominance appears to have come to an end following a dramatic summer of change, and several teams will be vying to replace Steve Kerr's team at the top of the NBA.
Plenty could also happen over the next few days as teams around the league finalize their rosters, and with plenty going on, here are all the latest NBA news and rumors you need to know for October 17th.
#1 Carmelo Anthony 'was expected' to join the Los Angeles Lakers last season
Following an unsuccessful year-long spell with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Carmelo Anthony headed to the Houston Rockets last summer. The 10-time All-Star was expected to play a key role from Mike D'Antoni's bench, although Anthony was instructed to find a new team after playing just 10 times.
In the months following his departure, Anthony was heavily linked with the Los Angeles Lakers, and according to ESPN's Baxter Holmes, sources close to the veteran believed that he would link up with LeBron James in LA:
In the days and weeks to come, rumors surface of Anthony potentially joining other franchises, and one source close to Anthony says he believes Melo will be joining the Lakers midseason.
A move to the Lakers never materialized, and Anthony is still without a team with less than a week to go until the start of the new NBA season. Anthony could still be given an opportunity as the season progresses, although it is unlikely that he will be signed ahead of opening night.