NBA Rumors and News Roundup: Eric Gordon Contract, Rajon Rondo Update and More

Rajon Rondo's wrist injury does not sound like it will keep him out of the Boston Celtics' starting lineup for an extended period of time.

Injuries continue to play a major part in unfolding storylines throughout the league, and it'll certainly be interesting to see which teams can assimilate on the fly moving forward.

David Stern has been eerily quiet since the lockout lifted, but he's got a big decision to make about the future of the New Orleans Hornets this week.

Luol Deng

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Luol Deng has been a model of consistency for the Bulls and hadn't missed a regular season game in almost two years before sitting out on Monday night.

Dealing with a wrist injury to his left (non-shooting) hand, Deng was seen sporting a soft cast on Monday night and didn't offer much insight into his injury.

The veteran small forward is hoping to play through the pain and avoid undergoing surgery, but he will get second and third opinions before making a final decision on his playing status.

MarShon Brooks

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Brooks has been great for the Nets during his rookie season, and he's earned legitimate consideration for Rookie of the Year with his impressive play.

He dealt with issues surrounding his Achilles' tendon in college, and he was sidelined on Monday night because of soreness in the area.

The No. 25 overall pick of the draft will undergo further tests on Tuesday, but Brooks didn't sound overly concerned after Monday's game and tweeted that he didn't plan on sitting out on Wednesday.

Mickael Pietrus

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Pietrus has been a pleasant surprise for the Celtics since joining the team, and he's really found success stretching the floor when playing with the second unit.

He's hit 15-of-34 shots from beyond the arc, but Boston had to find a way to replace him on Monday, when he was a surprise scratch from the lineup due to a shoulder injury.

Although the team hasn't revealed the extent of the injury beyond that, Pietrus is scheduled to undergo an MRI, and the Celtics will have a clearer outlook on his timetable to return following the examination.

Francisco Elson

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Elson hasn't found work yet this season, but injuries to some big men in Philadelphia could have that changing sooner rather than later.

With Spencer Hawes (Achilles) and Nikola Vucevic (thigh) both nursing injuries, Elson will work out for the Sixers and may wind up being inked by the club.

He may not offer much beyond depth at this stage in his career, but the Sixers can't afford to rely on just Tony Battie and Lavoy Allen for an extended period of time.

Kirk Hinrich

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Hinrich is set to debut for the Hawks on Wednesday following his rehab from offseason shoulder surgery, and he should help the club instantly off the bench.

There is no doubt that he'll be playing a reserve role, and Coach Larry Drew confirmed that he's sticking with Jeff Teague as his starter at the point.

Teague has definitely earned the starting role with the way he's played this season, and Hinrich will serve as the first guard off the bench.

Marcus Thornton

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Thornton suffered a thigh contusion earlier this season, but he's aggravated the injury and is currently sidelined as a result once again.

The Kings really need his scoring in a big way, so the team has to be hopeful that his absence is not a lengthy one after he missed three consecutive games previously.

Sacramento won't rush him back, but the void Thornton leaves in the starting lineup is not easily filled by anyone sitting on the bench.

Rajon Rondo

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Rondo had the Boston faithful exasperated when he suffered what appeared to be a nasty wrist injury, but he should be back on the court very shortly.

Doc Rivers expects his star point guard to return Thursday for the rematch against the Orlando Magic, and it couldn't come soon enough for the Celtics.

Rondo is at the epicenter of everything Boston does offensively. Without him, the club has to really adjust its approach on both ends of the court.

Eric Gordon

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Gordon's knee has been the subject of popular conversation among basketball fans, and for good reason.

He's played in just two regular season games this season, and we've seen his diagnosis change from a bruised knee to a bone bruise of the same area.

On Monday, it was revealed that Gordon would miss three more weeks before returning to basketball activities, but doctors assured him that his knee would be "100 percent sound with rest."

Interestingly enough, Gordon and the Hornets have talked about a contract extension, but GM Dell Demps is not in charge of making the final decision.

Commissioner David Stern has the last say as to whether or not the Hornets will be allowed to extend Gordon, and it would look awfully strange if the main piece of the Chris Paul trade, which Stern orchestrated, is allowed to walk out the door.

This is not the last we've heard about Gordon's knee or Stern's role in the NBA's ownership of the New Orleans franchise.