NBA Rumors and News Roundup: Durant-Westbrook Fight, Eric Gordon Injury and More

We thought that there would be a lot of injuries during a shortened 2011-12 NBA season, and without the benefit of a full training camp, the names have already started to pile up on the sidelines.

There is still a long way to go in the campaign, and it's already obvious that several teams are going to have to be very careful in how they protect their most important players throughout the year.

Although it might feel like a sprint due to the rapid pace of games, the campaign is a marathon, and there's no doubt the strength (or weakness) of roster depth will be illustrated going forward.

Alexis Ajinca

Ajinca is tall, he's got a decent shot for someone of his size, but he just doesn't really offer much else in terms of what he can bring beneath the basket.

He doesn't play a very physical game, and for that reason Ajinca has trouble banging around with some bigger bodies around the league.

Despite being just 23 years old and still with intriguing potential, he hasn't been able to find a deal stateside, so he will instead return to France and play with SIG Strasbourg.

Joel Przybilla

Przybilla's market is heating up in a big way, and it was already reported that the veteran center had at least three teams pursuing him.

We can now add one more to that growing list, as the Mavericks have an interest in the big man as well, likely in an attempt to find a solution to the void in the middle left by the departure of Tyson Chandler.

With all of these potential postseason teams having an interest in bringing him aboard, it is very difficult to imagine him sitting at home for the entire year.

Tyrus Thomas

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Thomas could really help the Bobcats if he could ever get healthy, but he just hasn't been able to stay on the court with any sort of consistency throughout his career.

He's currently dealing with a sprained ankle sustained prior to the season beginning, and there has been no timetable established for his return to the floor.

It would be a welcome sight for Charlotte to see him out on the floor, as his team could really use some help in the big man department, but he's going to have to be 100 percent before he trots out for action.

Michael Redd

Redd was thought to be signing with an Eastern Conference contender for much of the offseason, but it's looking as if he might surprise everybody with his next team.

After working out for Phoenix earlier this week, the Suns are expected to sign the veteran swingman in order to boost the offensive production in the second unit.

With Jared Dudley and Grant Hill both struggling out of the gate, Redd could be a nice low-risk pickup if (and only if) he's healthy following two straight ACL tears in the same knee.

Mike Conley

It's a good thing that Memphis has some depth at the point guard position, because Conley's ankle injury knocked him out of the game on Wednesday night.

The starting point guard hurt himself almost immediately after the jump ball was tossed at center court, and it didn't take long for the Grizzlies to rule him out for return following his leaving the floor.

He's tentatively listed as day-to-day right now, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him miss a game or two in order to make sure that he's good to go for the season.

Jrue Holiday

Holiday played a solid game for the Sixers in the blowout win over Phoenix, but he had a scare late in the game when he went down holding his knee.

Despite it looking like it really hurt when Holiday initially hit the floor, both he and Doug Collins insisted after the game that Holiday was alright and it was no big deal.

If he is forced to miss some time as a result, Lou Williams will play extended minutes, and it's likely that Evan Turner would also see an increased role off the bench.

Eric Gordon

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The Hornets blew out the Celtics by 19 points on Wednesday night, and it's extremely impressive to consider that New Orleans did it without the benefit of having Eric Gordon.

Undoubtedly the team's best scoring option, Gordon was unable to go on Wednesday night due to his knee swelling up, but it's not considered something that should keep him out on a consistent basis at this time.

It's worth noting that Gordon has played in a declining number of regular-season games since he entered the league (78, 62, 56) three years ago, and hopefully the injury concerns with the talented guard don't become omnipresent.

Russell Westbrook

Westbrook shot a putrid 0-for-13 from the floor on Wednesday night against Memphis, but that's not the sole reason he's at the back end of this list.

The point guard got into an intense, fiery argument with Kevin Durant following an emotional outburst where some teammates attempted to calm him down, but Westbrook may not have liked the way the views were expressed.

Durant assured after the game that there is nothing to be concerned about when it comes to the relationship he and Westbrook have. Sometimes these kind of things can happen when competitors are leaving it all out on the court.