NBA Rumors and News Roundup: NJ Nets Interested in DeMarcus Cousins and More

Eric Gordon is inching closer to a return for the New Orleans Hornets, and DeMarcus Cousins continues to dominate headlines as fans track his progress following another run-in with coach Paul Westphal.

There are still free agents finding new teams, and it hasn't taken very long for trade rumors to swirl despite the season being just over one week old.

Injuries have already had a serious impact on teams around the league, and we definitely haven't seen the last of players going down on the court.

The focus is on roster depth (or lack thereof) in an expedited 66-game season.

Antawn Jamison

Mike Lawrie/Getty Images

Jamison is in the final season of his contract with Cleveland, and he's already thinking about where he might land after the year is over.

A veteran nearing the end of his career, Jamison expressed a very real interest in coming home to Charlotte and playing for the Bobcats.

He stated that it would be fantastic for his family to be able to attend his games, and there's no doubt the Bobcats could certainly use some experience and leadership in the locker room.

Marreese Speights

Speights and Coach Doug Collins just can't seem to get on the same page, and the big man has been unable to find his way into the rotation.

Trapped at the end of the bench, the Sixers and Grizzlies have engaged in serious discussions regarding a trade for Speights.

Memphis could sorely use a backup big man behind Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, and Speights would really benefit with a change of scenery.

Josh Howard

Howard has dealt with injury issues over the last few years of his career, and he was once again forced to the sidelines on Tuesday night.

He was playing well and looked fairly rejuvenated for Utah, but a quad contusion knocked him out of action and he did not return to the game.

Hopefully for both Howard and the Jazz it's not a serious injury, as the team really needs him to be productive and remain on the court.

Ike Diogu

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Diogu ended last season playing with the Los Angeles Clippers, but he hadn't been able to latch on with a new team prior to this year.

It didn't take long for Diogu to find a new home, as he agreed to a one-year deal with the San Antonio Spurs to help beneath the basket.

DeJuan Blair has been playing well, but the team could definitely use some further depth behind him and Tiago Splitter in the middle.

Nate Robinson

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

It was a small surprise that Robinson was without a team to begin the season, but he's another veteran who found work without having to endure a long wait.

After being bought out of his contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the former dunk champion will ink a one-year contract with the Golden State Warriors.

The team is likely hoping he boosts the scoring production in the second unit, but he's going to have to improve his shot selection in a big way in order to do that.

Kris Humphries

Al Bello/Getty Images

The Nets got a scare when Humphries came to work with a mysterious shoulder injury and had a hard time moving his arm, but the team avoided serious concern with its starting power forward.

After undergoing an MRI, Humphries' shoulder is merely sprained, and he's being called day-to-day by New Jersey.

He even traveled with his team to Boston for Wednesday's game, so it doesn't sound as if the injury should keep him sidelined very long.

Devin Harris

Harris has garnered a reputation in some circles as an injury-prone player, as he hasn't played in a full slate of regular season games at any point in his career.

After a slow start, Harris was starting to play well for the Jazz, but he left Tuesday's game with a calf strain and did not return.

We're still waiting on a timetable for his return to action. It's a tough break for a young player who is looking to shed the idea that he's always a little banged up.

DeMarcus Cousins

Although Cousins returned to action for the Kings following a one-game banishment from the team, he didn't exactly make his comeback in style.

However, it's not his fault.

Paul Westphal gave one of his most talented players less than 24 minutes of playing time, while rookie Jimmer Fredette led the way for most minutes of any player on Tuesday.

The Kings continue to insist that he's not on the trade block, but the Nets are interested in acquiring him with Brook Lopez shelved indefinitely.

Maybe New Jersey is finally looking beyond Dwight Howard.

Ray Allen

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Ray Allen is in the final year of his contract with the Boston Celtics and would like an extension to remain with the team.

He's still playing at a very solid, consistent clip, but the Celtics are between a rock and a hard place in regards to Allen's situation.

The Celtics have worked hard to create cap flexibility for 2012 and beyond. Handing Allen a multi-year deal he's looking for would hamstring the ability to pursue other avenues.

It's not going to be an easy decision, but it's one the team is going to have to come to a consensus on sooner rather than later.

Eric Gordon

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Gordon has been frustrated with a bad knee that has kept him out of action since New Orleans' opening game, but he's getting very close to returning for the Hornets.

He said that his knee is feeling "a lot better," and there is no reason to believe that this should turn into a long-term concern.

The team has been very cautious in approaching how they handle Gordon's knee, but that's because it is far better to be overly protective at the onset of the year than for him to miss significant time down the road.