NBA News Roundup, Sunday, September 15th: Update on Giannis Antetokounmpo's future, Michael Jordan to sell a portion of the Hornets and more

The 2019 FIBA World Cup will come to a close later today, and basketball fans will be able to turn their full attention to the 2019-20 NBA season. The new campaign is gearing up to be among the most exciting in recent memory, although plenty could still happen in the weeks leading up to the season.

The likes of Carmelo Anthony and Kenneth Faried remain without teams, while organizations such as the Miami Heat are hoping to pull off a big move ahead of the new season. So, with the potential for plenty to happen, here is all the latest news and rumors you need to know for September 15th.

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Milwaukee Bucks general manager confirms they will offer Giannis Antetokounmpo a max-contract next summer

Giannis Antetokounmpo will be offered a new deal by the Milwaukee Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo enters the new season as the reigning MVP following an excellent 2018-19 campaign. Antetokounmpo finished the season averaging 27.7 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game as he guided his team to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Still just 24, Antetokounmpo will continue to grow, and teams around the league will do everything to sign him if he hits free agency in 2021. However, Milwaukee Bucks general manager Jon Horst hopes to avoid this by offering his superstar a max deal next summer:

First of all, the answer for now is that we can’t talk and negotiate anything. So Giannis, basically, a year from now will be eligible for a supermax extension. At that time, of course, he will be offered a supermax extension.

Antetokounmpo was selected 15th overall by the Bucks back in 2013, and after a slow first season, he soon established himself as a starter. Giannis has been named as an All-Star in each of the past three seasons, and he was recently named the third youngest MVP winner in history.

"What is the situation with Giannis' long-term contract?"Jon Horst answers: pic.twitter.com/a6O4uAaoIE

— FOX Sports Wisconsin (@fswisconsin) September 13, 2019

Gregg Popovich hits out at Team USA critics

Team USA defeated Poland to finish 7th at the 2019 FIBA World Cup

Team USA entered the 2019 FIBA World Cup boasting a 13-year win streak. Nevertheless, their build-up to the tournament was disrupted by several high profile withdrawals, and the team received considerable criticism after being eliminated by France in the quarter-finals.

However, speaking after Team USA's consolation win over Poland, head coach Gregg Popovich hit out at the critics:

Some people want to play the blame game. There’s no blame to be placed anywhere … like we should be ashamed because we didn’t win a gold medal? That’s a ridiculous attitude. It’s immature. It’s arrogant, and it shows that whoever thinks that doesn’t respect all the other teams in the world.

The USA is now facing pressure to bounce back at the Summer Olympics next summer. Draymond Green is a major name that has already expressed his intent to feature, while reports have suggested that Steph Curry will also be involved.

Michael Jordan agrees to sell a portion of the Charlotte Hornets

Michael Jordan in attendance at a Charlotte Hornets game

Following an incredible career in the NBA, Michael Jordan became part-owner of the Charlotte Hornets (then Bobcats) back in 2006. The former Chicago Bulls star then bought a controlling interest in 2010, although the organization has announced that Jordan will sell a portion of the Hornets to two investors:

Hornets Sports & Entertainment Chairman Michael Jordan today announced that Gabe Plotkin, Founder and Chief Investment Officer, Melvin Capital, and Daniel Sundheim, Founder and Chief Investment Officer of D1 Capital, will join HSE as partners. The transaction is subject to NBA approval.

The sale is pending NBA approval and Jordan has stated that he will continue to run the team. Since Jordan became involved with the Hornets back in 2006, the franchise has made just three trips to the postseason and has just a 42% win rate.