NBA Rumors and News Roundup: Latest and Hottest Stories from Around the League

DeMarcus Cousins is dominating the headlines to begin the new year in 2012, and it's not because of his play on the court for the Sacramento Kings.

The injuries are quickly stacking up around the league, and while some are continuing to go out and play banged up, others have already been sent to the sidelines.

We're in store for one of the most interesting seasons in recent memory given the expedited schedule, and the volatility of results have already been on full display in the first full week of the campaign.

Iman Shumpert

Shumpert went down in the Knicks' first game of the season and hasn't played a game since, but the team might get him back a little earlier than anticipated.

Although his initial diagnosis was for him to miss anywhere from two to four weeks, the rookie could be ready to return as soon as Saturday for the Knicks.

His team needs him back to help provide an offensive spark to the second unit, but he's going to have to improve his shot selection mightily in order to be a part of the solution.

C.J. Watson

Watson is one of the more capable backup point guards in the league, so it would be a blow to Chicago's bench if he were forced to miss some time.

He sustained a sprained elbow on Sunday night, but Watson will get a closer look at the issue which may be a bit more troublesome than just a simple sprain.

He'll undergo an MRI on Monday and left the arena in a sling, so it's hard to imagine a scenario where he doesn't miss at least a couple of contests.

Jermaine O'Neal

O'Neal has been a fragile player throughout the course of his career, and that won't change as he creeps closer toward the end of his playing days.

The veteran center left Boston's game on Sunday evening with what was described as a "tight" hamstring, and those are the types of injuries that could linger a lot longer than wanted.

Boston is already extremely thin in the middle, and the team simply can't afford its starter to miss any time this early in the year.

Yi Jianlian

Remember Yi? The No. 6 overall pick in 2007 was without a team when the season began, but he's finally found a new home.

The big man has signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks, and Rick Carlisle has already alluded to the idea that Yi will be spending some time in the NBDL.

He is facing an uphill battle to make an impact stateside, and the fact that his newest team expects him to spend time in the D-League speaks volumes about how low his stock has sunk.

Jan Vesely

Vesely had some Wizards fans excited when he was drafted about what he could bring to the team, but his highly anticipated regular season debut continues to be put on hold.

He's been dealing with a hip injury since before the games began to count in the standings, and it doesn't appear to be something that is improving despite him sitting out.

The rookie received an injection in the bothersome area in order to relieve the pain, and hopefully for Washington, it allows him to get back out onto the court very shortly.

Jerryd Bayless

There was some chatter about Bayless potentially being in a timeshare with starter Jose Calderon, but that has quieted significantly since the preseason wrapped up.

Now, the speedy reserve point guard won't be able to challenge Calderon for the role, as he'll be sidelined for (at least) the next two games with a bad ankle.

He's a really nice piece in the second unit for Toronto, and the Raptors should be hoping that he's able to resume playing after just a short recovery period.

Chauncey Billups

Billups' tenure with the Clippers hasn't come without some twists and turns along the way, but the veteran has remained productive despite being shifted to a shooting guard role.

He's been sidelined by a groin injury, but Billups is hopeful that he'll be able to return to the Los Angeles lineup on Tuesday.

His team could definitely use him back, as his presence on the court allows the Clippers to boast a deeper bench and give necessary breathers to its other notable players.

Michael Beasley

Beasley has been inconsistent at best at the start of Minnesota's season, and a nasty finger injury had several heading to YouTube to see his epic reaction from Sunday night.

Although he was seen saying that he could see his bone and had to get stitches, the scorer is hopeful that he'll be able to give it a go on Monday, just one day after the injury was sustained.

Minnesota is going to need him to be a productive and efficient player alongside Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio if the team is going to win games this year.

Richard Hamilton

Hamilton looked to be finding his groove in Chicago alongside Derrick Rose, but he was a surprising scratch on Sunday with a previously unreported groin injury.

It is not expected to be a serious cause of concern, and Hamilton shouldn't miss much (if any) time going forward.

The team is calling it a "tweak," so it certainly doesn't sound as if Chicago is expecting this to be something that hampers him for an extended period.

Pau Gasol

Gasol has been playing pretty well for the Lakers in the early part of the season, but he's cooled down a bit after his ferocious start.

Perhaps it is due to his sprained shoulder, as Gasol admitted that it bothers him and even has trouble sleeping at night because of the injury.

He's hopeful that it improves somehow, and while it's commendable that he's toughing it out and suiting up every night, the Lakers have to be cautious that he doesn't aggravate it and wind up missing a large chunk of time.

Zach Randolph

Randolph went down with what looked like a really gruesome knee injury after O.J. Mayo's head collided with his lower half underneath the basket, and Randolph had the trainers attend to him for several minutes while he was on the ground.

Both Memphis and Randolph are calling the injury a sprain for the time being, but that would really represent a best-case scenario for the Grizzlies at this time.

It wouldn't be surprising to learn it is something a little more serious than just a sprain, but the Grizzlies are hopeful that it won't be, as Z-Bo is integral to what Memphis does and their hopes of success this year.

Derrick Rose

Rose has been playing at a ridiculously high level to begin the season, but it hasn't come without some early concern for his body.

He's currently dealing with tendinitis in both of shins, and that's the reason he's wearing protective sleeves on his legs early on in the season.

The reigning MVP has to be on the court regularly for the Bulls, so don't look for him to be taking a rest any time in the near future.

DeMarcus Cousins

UPDATE: DeMarcus Cousins reportedly is set to rejoin the Kings.

According to a statement released by coach Paul Westphal, DeMarcus Cousins has demanded a trade away from the Sacramento Kings.

However, when his representation was reached for comment on the scenario, it was firmly argued that Cousins has not requested any such move.

A player who had legitimate character concerns upon entering the draft, Cousins was reportedly heard yelling "trade me now" following Saturday's loss to New York.

Despite Westphal's letter and the report that Cousins has requested a new team, Kings co-owner Joe Maloof and general manager Geoff Petrie said that they have no plans to trade Cousins.

This situation has the potential to really drag down the morale of the club if it continues without resolution.