NBA Rumors and News Roundup: Manu Ginobili Broken Hand, DeMarcus Cousins Drama

There are a lot of injuries around the NBA, but none loom larger than Manu Ginobili's broken hand for the San Antonio Spurs at this time.

With a number of clubs looking to improve the roster before the season progresses much further, it will be very fun to track the moves and rumors which develop as more games continue to be played in 2012.

The race is wide open to the postseason in both conferences, and the team(s) with the most depth and fewest health concerns may have a serious competitive advantage over the rest of the pack.

Beno Udrih

Udrih has played a nice role as Brandon Jennings' backup thus far for Milwaukee, but the team might be without him in the short-term.

He went down with a shoulder contusion on Monday and did not return to the court after sustaining the injury in the second half.

Should Udrih miss extended time, Shaun Livingston would serve as Jennings' backup.

Tracy McGrady

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McGrady has looked like a different player than we've seen from him in recent seasons since joining Atlanta, and he feels the same way.

The veteran finally feels like he has his legs back underneath him, and he expressed the sentiment that it's the best he's felt since his initial knee issues began.

It's early, but he looks like one of the more value pickups of the offseason, as the Hawks were able to reel him in for just the veteran's minimum.

Gary Neal

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Neal has been forced to watch his teammates play for the early part of the season as he recovers from his appendectomy, but it shouldn't be much longer.

The Spurs have assigned him to the NBDL for a medical rehab and there is belief that he could return by this weekend for San Antonio.

He will backup both guard positions for the Spurs, and the team could definitely use him for his ability to stretch the floor in the second unit.

Trevor Ariza

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Ariza has been quietly plugging along for the Hornets, but a groin injury may knock him out of action for New Orleans.

He left the game on Monday and did not return, opening the door for an increased role for youngster Al-Farouq Aminu, who was a part of the Chris Paul trade.

His status is expected to be updated at some point on Tuesday, so we'll have to see just how serious the issue might turn out to be.

Ronny Turiaf

Turiaf was serving as an anchor in the second unit and a veteran on a team packed with youth, but now he'll be out of action for more than a month.

The big man sustained a broken hand which will sideline him for about five to six weeks, and it'll be a blow to Washington's rotation as the team looks to build an identity.

After an 0-5 start, Washington is left searching for answers.

Marreese Speights

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Speights has been locked in Doug Collins' doghouse since last season, and nothing has changed to start the 2011-12 campaign.

He's buried at the end of the bench, but Memphis continues to hold an interest in trading for him, and it makes a lot of sense considering the backup big man situation for the Grizzlies.

Furthermore, Zach Randolph is currently nursing a knee injury, so the need for depth in that department may have never been greater.

Solomon Jones

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Jones has been on the outside looking in for a new team despite having both youth and athleticism on his side, but it sounds like he's finally found a home.

He's expected to sign a non-guaranteed deal with the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, providing depth behind DeAndre Jordan in the middle.

Reggie Evans has yet to play for the team due to injury, and Jones could see spot minutes in the rotation almost immediately.

DeMarcus Cousins

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Cousins certainly stirred the pot in Sacramento over the weekend, but he's been adamant in his stance that he never demanded a trade.

He further reiterated that again on Monday, and he's going to join his team for their upcoming action this week.

Although he won't start for the team in their next game, he will play off the bench, and there's just too much talent here for the Kings to give up.

He's not on the trade block at this time.

Josh Smith

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The Hawks have really been playing well, and this group is finally starting to turn some heads after handing Miami its first lost of the season.

Despite the initial success, it doesn't come without mild concern. Smith has dealt with some swelling in his knee, and that's something the team will have to monitor going forward.

Atlanta can't afford for Smith to miss time with the club firing on all cylinders, but it doesn't sound like something that's currently considered serious.

Manu Ginobili

We've been waiting for the first big injury of the regular season to occur, and Manu Ginobili's broken hand certainly qualifies.

The veteran guard was forced out of the game on Monday night against the Timberwolves, and although no timetable has been established yet, he's expected to miss about four to six weeks.

James Anderson will start in his place during his absence, but with the Spurs having an incredible number of games in January, this one is really going to hurt.

Mike Conley

Conley was expected to return to action for the Grizzlies on Tuesday, but his return is going to have to wait at least one more game.

Coach Lionel Hollins said that the starting point guard would not suit up, indicating that the duties of facilitating the flow will once again be split between Jeremy Pargo and rookie Josh Selby.

It sounds as if Conley is very close to a return, but the Grizzlies will be extremely cautious as to not jeopardize a more serious injury.

Kris Humphries

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Humphries' name has been in more headlines for his connection to Kim Kardashian than his basketball career recently, but hopefully that trend is on the verge of wearing itself out.

He's been really good for the Nets this season, averaging a double-double in the early part of the year, but now he'll be forced to watch his teammates go on without him.

Humphries will reportedly be sidelined indefinitely due to a shoulder injury, and he'll undergo an MRI examination on Tuesday to reveal the extent of the damage.

Amar'e Stoudemire

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Stoudemire sat out his second consecutive game on Monday night, and the Knicks sorely need him to get back out onto the court as soon as possible.

STAT believes he has a good chance to suit up on Wednesday for New York's next game, and trainers have been working around the clock on his bum ankle.

The Knicks look like a team that is out of sorts, and hopefully Stoudemire's return can provide some semblance to the attack.

Paul Pierce

Pierce's impact on the Celtics is obvious, and it's not a coincidence that Boston has won two consecutive games since he has come back into the fold.

Despite the initial success to kick off his season, Pierce conceded that he's not playing at 100 percent and it will take time for him to get everything going.

Some were entirely too quick to write off Boston as a team that can compete in the Eastern Conference, and Pierce's health is going to be imperative for his team to enjoy any sustained success.