The NBA regular season finally gets underway tomorrow, but before the new year gets underway, teams around the league were making decisions ahead of today's 6:00 pm ET contract extension deadline for players entering the final years of their contracts. We have the latest on big names who did and didn't sign extensions, as well as some injury news ahead of the season opener on Tuesday. Here are all the latest news & rumors you need to know:
LeBron James expected to play in opener
James has been dealing with a sprained ankle throughout the preseason, and while he is questionable to play in tomorrow's opener against the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue said the team is preparing as if LeBron will be playing.
Teammate JR Smith also told the media that James will play.
J.R. Smith on LeBron James' availability Tuesday night: "Oh, he's gonna go." pic.twitter.com/SOEb3GoMks
— clevelanddotcom Cavs (@PDcavsinsider) October 16, 2017
Tuesday's matchup isn't just the first game of the season - it also marks Kyrie Irving's return to Cleveland after he requested a trade this offseason.
LeBron, who missed just eight games in 2016-17, averaged 26.4 points, 8.7 assists, and 8.6 rebounds per game last season.
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Lakers won't sign Julius Randle to extension
The Los Angeles Lakers opted not to sign Julius Randle to an extension before the deadline, meaning that he will be an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.
As expected no extension expected w/ Lakers & Julius Randle today. Team had cordial conversations but everyone understands cap space issue
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) October 16, 2017
Los Angeles is trying to save as much cap space as possible in order to sign two players to max contracts in the offseason. They have also explored the possibility of trading Randle, and they will continue to field offers for him throughout the season.
Randle averaged 13.2 points and 8.6 rebounds in 74 games last season, including 73 starts.
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Spurs sign LaMarcus Aldridge to three-year extension
In a surprising turn of events, the San Antonio Spurs signed big man LaMarcus Aldridge to a three-year extension, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Spurs' LaMarcus Aldridge has reached agreement on a three-year, $72.3M contract extension, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 16, 2017
Aldridge extension starts in 2019-'20. He will opt into his $22.3M for 2018-'19 season and will be signed through the 2020-'21 season.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 16, 2017
San Antonio attempted to trade Aldridge at the trade deadline last season and again prior to the draft, but have no opted to keep him around long-term.
Aldridge averaged 17.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game last season, both of which were his lowest since his rookie season.
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