NBA Rumors Roundup: Kobe Bryant Wrist Update, Brook Lopez Injury and More

The 2011-12 NBA season is about to kick off, and while Chris Paul is flourishing with the Los Angeles Clippers, Dwight Howard remains a member of the Orlando Magic.

There are a shocking number of free agents still unsigned, and with preseason games officially in the books, teams will be looking to solidify final rosters prior to Christmas Day when the action tips off.

Although there have already been a myriad of injuries, there are going to be even more of them as the year progresses, and role players could very well have a much larger role than originally anticipated.

Make no mistake, depth is going to be key.

Manny Harris

Trimming down the roster is nothing new for teams as the season approaches, but there are always some surprising choices around the league.

Harris is a perfect example of exactly that, and the Cavs surprisingly cut him loose on Thursday despite the Michigan product actually starting 15 games for the team last year.

It would be even more shocking if he made it through waivers without another team picking him up, as there are a number of teams that could use some scoring help in the second unit.

Willie Green

Green took some time to finally find a new home after his tenure in New Orleans came to its conclusion, and he landed in a favorable spot if he's looking for playing time.

The veteran signed with the Atlanta Hawks, and the team will definitely need some help in the backcourt behind Joe Johnson and veteran Tracy McGrady.

He's not expected to play a major role for the team, but he does provide solid depth at a reasonable price, and the Hawks did well to add him on a low-risk contract.

Kyrylo Fesenko

Fesenko hasn't shown much during his brief career in the league, but size is at a premium, and teams are desperate for big men at the end of the bench.

Despite his lack of production, Fesenko is currently drawing interest from Miami, Golden State, Detroit and Los Angeles (Clippers).

All of those locations make varying levels of sense, although the Clippers may be out of the running following the addition of Reggie Evans.

Mickael Pietrus

Pietrus was highly unlikely to return to Phoenix this season as a member of the Suns, and he finally got his wish when the two sides reached an agreement to buy out his contract on Thursday.

Should the swingman clear waivers, he's reportedly "leaning heavily" toward joining the Boston Celtics, and that makes a ton of sense for both Pietrus and the C's.

Pietrus would hardly be an ideal replacement for Jeff Green, but he would strengthen the team's second unit and provide further depth to a group that is going to need it.

Mehmet Okur

Okur was going to be in an uphill battle for playing time in a crowded Utah frontcourt, and the Jazz didn't want to pay a reserve approximately $11 million to sit on the bench.

After it was announced that Brook Lopez went down with a stress fracture in his foot and will have surgery on Friday, Utah quickly traded Okur to New Jersey for a future draft pick.

He'll get a ton of burn as the Nets' starting center, as just Johan Petro is behind him acting as depth in the middle.

Jeff Teague

Teague is dealing with an ankle issue after rolling it in practice, and although he sat out Thursday's preseason game, it's not expected to be something that lingers.

The young point guard was adamant that he would be fine for the season opener, and that's welcome news considering veteran Kirk Hinrich is already on the shelf following shoulder surgery.

Many are expecting a breakout year from Teague as the Hawks look to push the tempo, and it'll be very interesting to see what he does in his first full year running with the starting unit.

Wilson Chandler

Chandler is currently balling out in China and putting together a string of quality games, but he's got his sights set on making an NBA return before long.

Although the Denver Nuggets own his rights as a restricted free agent, Chandler would reportedly "love" to have a reunion with the Knicks.

New York still has its $2.5 million salary exception available, but even if the team holds onto it until Chandler is eligible to sign stateside, he's likely to command more.

Chuck Hayes

Hayes got a scare when the Kings voided his contract with the fear that he may have a potentially serious heart condition, but the undersized big man got some great news on Thursday.

Doctors at the famous Cleveland Clinic cleared him of any heart complications and said that he is able to resume his basketball playing career effective immediately.

It didn't take long for him to work out a new contract with the Kings, and he will return to Sacramento on a four-year, $22 million contract.

Stephen Jackson

Jackson has caused some concern at the onset of the season for Milwaukee as he's battling back issues, and he revealed some interesting details as to exactly what was bothering him.

Despite returning to practice and getting ready for the regular season, a follow-up examination of his back revealed that he has bone spurs and his bottom disc is completely gone.

While Jackson chalked it up to normal wear and tear and promised that nothing was irregular, it's certainly something to monitor as back injuries tend to linger.

Brook Lopez

New Jersey announced on Thursday that Lopez sustained a stress fracture of the fifth metatarsal in his right foot and will undergo surgery on Friday to correct the issue.

Although the "typical recovery" is four to six weeks from such an injury, Lopez is a professional basketball player, standing a very legitimate seven feet tall, so it's likely he's going to need substantially longer than that.

Lopez's injury is absolutely devastating for the Nets, as not only does it probably take the team out of the Dwight Howard sweepstakes (for now), but it leaves a giant hole in the middle of the lineup.

Kobe Bryant

For all those who were concerned about Bryant's wrist injury—don't worry, he's going to play through it.

While this was largely the expectation due to his history of playing through just about any issue if it's possible, Bryant made it official saying, "Yeah, I should be fine," when asked if he would play on Christmas.

This jives with comments made by some of his teammates who were never expecting Bryant to miss any time, and the Lakers can ill-afford to have the most important piece to the puzzle sitting on the sidelines.