Five Key Stories: 10/5/19 – 10/12/19

If you missed any of this past week’s biggest headlines from around the NBA, we’ve got you covered with our Week in Review. Here are some of the most noteworthy stories from the last seven days:

A Daryl Morey tweet expressing support for protestors in Hong Kong created an international incident between the NBA and China. While the Rockets general manager quickly deleted his tweet, Chinese officials and businesses didn’t took exception to it, with many of them suspending or cancelling partnerships with the NBA. The Lakers and Nets still went ahead and played two exhibition games in China this week, but those games weren’t televised by CCTV. All of our stories on the controversy can be found right here.

The Raptors and Kyle Lowry agreed to a one-year contract extension. The one-year, $31MM deal will keep the veteran point guard locked up through the 2020/21 season without impacting Toronto’s long-term cap flexibility.

Buddy Hield expressed a strong desire to sign a contract extension with the Kings this month. The two sides face an October 21 deadline, with Hield on track for restricted free agency in 2020 if a deal doesn’t get done now. “I’m ready to make things happen, man,” Hield said. “I want to make Sacramento my home. I’m ready to get this s–t done. I want to be here and if it doesn’t happen, then things can go the other way.”

Kevin Durant made waves by claiming that younger players don’t consider the Knicks a “cool” franchise. As Durant explains, those younger players don’t remember a time when the Knicks were a contender and don’t consider the team’s brand to be a strong as that of the Warriors or Lakers.

The Pistons and Andre Drummond are reportedly exploring a contract extension. The two sides are said to be “talking at a business level” and have exchanged numbers on a new deal for the All-Star center.

Here are 10 more noteworthy headlines from around the basketball world this week:

• Kevin Love, a subject of frequent trade rumors, said he wants to remain with the Cavaliers.
• The Nuggets are reportedly engaged on extension talks for up-and-coming guard Malik Beasley.
• After being banished from training camp for not meeting conditioning/weigh requirements, James Johnson rejoined the Heat.
• Celtics swingman Jaylen Brown hired an agent to handle his contract extension negotiations.
• Free agent center Salah Mejri signed with Spanish team Real Madrid for the 2019/20 season.
• The Pistons may be interested in Knicks point guard Frank Ntilikina.
• The Rockets waived former No. 1 overall pick Anthony Bennett, who is dealing with a knee injury.
• Jalen McDaniels, the last unsigned pick from the 2019 draft, officially joined the Hornets.
• Bucks point guard Eric Bledsoe is expected to miss two or three weeks with a rib injury.
• Trade chatter around the NBA is said to be especially quiet this fall. No trades have been completed since July 16.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.