NBA News Roundup, Wednesday, October 2nd: Steven Adams addresses OKC trade rumors, Al Horford explains why he left the Boston Celtics and more

The 2019-20 NBA season will finally get underway later this month, although plenty remains unresolved ahead of opening night. Several teams around the league still have open roster spots, while the likes of the Miami Heat are believed to be keen to pull off a major trade.

Elsewhere, free agents such as J.R. Smith and Carmelo Anthony are hoping to make a return to the league this season after underwhelming campaigns last time out. So, with plenty going on around the NBA, here is all the latest news and rumors you need to know for October 2nd.

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#1 Steven Adams was worried that he would be traded by the Oklahoma City Thunder

Steven Adams appears set to begin the season in Oklahoma City

After being eliminated from the first round of the playoffs for the third consecutive season, the Oklahoma City Thunder opted to enter rebuild mode earlier this summer. Paul George was the first to leave as he completed a blockbuster trade to the L.A. Clippers, while Russell Westbrook soon followed suit after spending more than a decade with the Thunder.

As one of the Thunder's highest earners, Steven Adams has also been linked with a move this offseason, and the Kiwi center told the New Zealand Herald that the constant speculation affected him throughout the summer:

It ain’t this thing where you just read about it and you’re just surprised that it happened to you. If it’s happening to someone else there’s a chance it could happen to you – it’s common sense. It still affects you in some way, because you’re human. Obviously, I care about the organization here.

Adams has been with the Thunder since 2013, and the 18-19 campaign was the best of his career to date. The 26-year-old averaged career highs in points (13.9) and assists (9.5) and is expected to take on a bigger role this season following the departure of the ball-dominant Westbrook.

#2 Al Horford left the Boston Celtics due to his desire to win

Al Horford swapped the Boston Celtics for the Philadelphia 76ers

After joining the Boston Celtics as an unrestricted free agent back in 2016, Al Horford became a vital part of the team. Over 208 appearances, he averaged 13.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game and the Celtics were keen to sign him to a new deal.

However, Horford opted out of the final year of his Boston deal to sign a four-year, $97 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.

The move was among the most surprising of the summer, although Horford revealed that he left Boston due to his desire to contend:

The opportunity to win, I am going in my 13th season, that is important to me. I feel we have an opportunity to win now and that was something that was hard for me to pass.

Horford will link up with the All-Star duo of Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid as the 76ers attempt to compete with the Milwaukee Bucks in the East.

#3 Milwaukee Bucks believe continuity will help secure Giannis' future

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to the 2019 Eastern Conference Finals

Giannis Antetokounmpo is eligible to sign the biggest contract extension in NBA history, and the Milwaukee Bucks remain desperate to secure the reigning MVP's prime years. While Milwaukee will struggle to land another superstar to play alongside Giannis, general manager Jon Horst believes that continuity could help convince his star man to stay:

We brought back a big part of the group; we believe in continuity. We think that gives us an advantage to have continuity. This group looks like they’re growing, looks like they’re getting better, looks like they fit and they make sense and that we can compete and sustain success for a long period of time with this group.

Antetokounmpo stated earlier this week that he is focused on the 2019-20 season, and won't think about his future until next summer. If he doesn't sign an extension with the Bucks next summer, he will become one of the most in-demand free agents in recent memory when he hits free agency in 2021.