NBA News Roundup, Friday, Oct 18: Bradley Beal commits to the Washington Wizards, Steph Curry believes the Warriors can contend and more

The 2019-20 NBA season will get underway next week, and a host of teams will be hoping to contend following a chaotic offseason. The likes of the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, Utah Jazz, and L.A. Clippers all made notable additions, and there will be no shortage of drama on the court over the next 7 months.

Meanwhile, notable names such as Carmelo Anthony remain without a team ahead of the new season, and plenty of players could be on the move in the coming weeks. So, with the NBA season quickly approaching, here is all the latest news and rumors you need to know for October 18th.

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#3 Bradley Beal signs two-year contract extension with the Washington Wizards

Bradley Beal has spent his entire career with the Washington Wizar

Heading into the new season, Bradley Beal had been among the names linked with a trade. The All-Star had previously stated that he was in no rush to sign an extension with the Washington Wizards, and many had speculated that he could request a trade due to the Wizards' ongoing troubles.

Nevertheless, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that Beal has decided to pledge his future to the franchise by signing a new two-year contract:

Washington Wizards All-Star guard Bradley Beal has agreed to extend his deal for two years on a $72 million maximum contract, agent Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports told ESPN on Thursday morning. Beal's extension, which will begin with the 2021-22 season, includes a player option for 2022-23

Beal's commitment to the Wizards comes as somewhat of a surprise as the likes of the Miami Heat had been strongly linked with an impending move. However, the 26-year-old's decision to stay is a significant boost to a Wizards team that is facing another difficult season.

#2 Steph Curry believes the Warriors can still compete for a title

Steph Curry is confident that the Warriors can compete despite a difficult offseason

After reaching the NBA Finals in five consecutive seasons, the Golden State Warriors endured a miserable offseason. Kevin Durant opted to join the Brooklyn Nets in free agency, while DeMarcus Cousins also left for Los Angeles. Meanwhile, the influential veteran duo of Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston were also let go as the Warriors cleared cap space to sign D'Angelo Russell.

They will also be without the injured Klay Thompson until after the All-Star break, although Steph Curry says that the Warriors enter the new season with the ambition of contending for the title:

A championship is still the goal. It’s always been. We’ve experienced it all and we’re going to keep pushing to get back there. That’s the goal.

Curry missed Golden State's most recent preseason defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers, although the 2-time All-Star will be available for the new season.

#1 Luol Deng to retire with the Chicago Bulls

Luol Deng spent much of his career with the Chicago Bulls

Luol Deng has endured a difficult 24 months in the NBA, although many analysts believed that the 34-year-old was still capable of making an impact from the bench. Nevertheless, Deng has opted to return to the Chicago Bulls on a one-year contract in order to retire with the franchise.

After being selected seventh overall by the Bulls in the 2004 NBA Draft, Deng spent a decade with the franchise and Chicago President Michael Reinsdorf was full of praise for the two-time All-Star:

We're very fortunate and humbled that Luol has chosen to retire as a Chicago Bull. He was a role model on and off the court during his nine-plus years in Chicago, and he gave everything he had to help us win.

Deng ends his NBA career having made 902 appearances over 15-seasons NBA. He averaged 14.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 34.3 minutes per game.