NBA Rumors and News Roundup: Dwight Howard and Deron Williams Updates and More

The trade rumors have been swirling around Dwight Howard, but his list of preferred teams to be traded to remains unchanged despite strong speculation that he's added new clubs into the mix.

There are several teams looking to make roster improvements this season, and some familiar names remain on the free-agent market as we move into February.

Injuries continue to be a consistent theme in the regular season, and teams must find ways to cope with the losses of players for varying periods of time.

The 2012 free-agent frenzy is going to be wild, but we should see a great flurry of activity this year before the March 15 trade deadline that could have a serious impact on the offseason.

Rasheed Wallace

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Wallace made a small stir a few weeks back when it was revealed he was contemplating a return to the NBA, but he had not been mentioned in connection with an interested team until Tuesday night.

The Lakers could show interest in the veteran forward as the team pursues improvements in the second unit, but it sounds as if he's not a priority for Los Angeles at this time.

It's tough to imagine how much Wallace has left in the tank considering his numbers declined in two straight seasons before he retired, and there is little doubt he'd have to prove to the Lakers or any other team that he's in good enough shape to contribute.

Kenyon Martin

Martin signed in China during the lockout, but his stint abroad did not go as expected and he returned to the United States a while ago in order to work out and prepare to sign with a team stateside later this season.

He's been working out in Los Angeles until he is eligible to sign with a team (Martin must wait until his former team in China concludes its season), but the Lakers, Clippers, Heat, Spurs, Hawks and Knicks have all expressed an interest in bringing him aboard.

The veteran power forward has met with a number of teams over the last couple of weeks, and he's expected to make his decision as to where he'll sign by the weekend.

Steve Blake

Blake has not played in a game since January 11 due to a fractured rib, but the Lakers might not have to wait too much longer to get the veteran point guard back out on the floor.

After visiting with doctors, Blake has been cleared to run on a treadmill. That's a fairly significant step in his rehab process.

Los Angeles has struggled with production from the point since Blake went down, and Derek Fisher is playing a lot more minutes than he should be at this stage of his career.

George Hill

Hill has been a major reason why Indiana's second unit has been so improved this season, but he's not going to be suiting up for the team any time soon.

The combo guard is out indefinitely with a small chip fracture in his ankle, and there is currently no timetable for his return.

The Pacers will rely on more production from starter Darren Collison while handing backup Lance Stephenson a larger role, but the team will certainly miss Hill's presence on the floor.

Richard Hamilton

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Hamilton has been a great addition for Chicago this season when he's been in the lineup, but the problem is that he hasn't been healthy virtually all season.

He has played in less than half of the Bulls games to date, and Hamilton revealed that he's now going to have to likely sit out "a while" in order to get himself back to full health.

Hamilton also said that he has felt like he's been playing on one leg at times, and with the championship aspirations Chicago holds, the Bulls won't do anything to put his long-term health and availability in question going forward.

Luol Deng

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Deng has been adamant since tearing a ligament in his wrist that he would not undergo surgery, and nothing has changed in that regard.

Doctors have told Deng that he can't worsen his injury by playing with it, and signs are pointing toward the forward returning to the starting lineup this week.

It will be interesting to see how he performs with the injury, but Deng is one of the tougher players in the league and he definitely wants to get back as soon as possible.

Rajon Rondo

Rondo's return from a sprained wrist has had various timetables since he initially injured it, but Doc Rivers doesn't expect his absence from the lineup to last for much longer.

He hasn't played since January 18, and the Celtics are tentatively targeting Friday for Rondo's return to the starting lineup.

Avery Bradley and E'Twaun Moore haven't been terrible in manning the point guard position while Rondo has been out, but there is no replacing what Rondo brings to the lineup on a nightly basis.

Deron Williams

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Williams' first full season with the Nets hasn't gone exactly as he may have hoped, and many are wondering about whether or not he's interested in committing to the club for the foreseeable future.

His services will be in great demand if he hits the free-agent market during the offseason, but Williams said that he'll sit down with his agent and explore all of his options before making a decision.

Interestingly, Williams said that he'd consider opting in for the 2012-13 season with the Nets and then go after a long-term deal following that year.

Dwight Howard

Beat writers from every city have to ask Howard about how he feels about their city—it's their job to do that.

That does not mean Howard is interested in playing for that team despite several spinning his quotes in ways in which he never meant them to be interpreted.

General manager Otis Smith told the Orlando Sentinel that absolutely nothing has changed in regards to Howard's preferred teams of lists, and he hasn't expressed an interest in signing a long-term extension with any team outside of the Nets, Lakers and Mavericks.

There will be a ridiculous amount of speculation until he's traded out of Orlando, but much of it recently has been completely unfounded.