NBA Rumors and News Roundup: 76ers-Amar'e Buzz, Lakers Consider Arenas and More

The NBA's March 15 trade deadline is approximately a month and a half away, and there are a number of teams actively exploring deals in order to upgrade the roster.

With a lot of teams performing worse than expected before the year began, there is no doubt that we'll see a flurry of activity prior to the deadline.

The injuries are mounting and it's forcing front offices to scramble, and we should have a very interesting portion of the season ahead of us.

Chris Kaman

Kaman and the Hornets have decided that he won't play for New Orleans while the club actively explores a trade for him.

At least five teams have inquired on the asking price for Kaman and his behemoth expiring contract, but David Stern and the NBA have a lucrative asking price in return.

He's too talented to not be suiting up for a club with so many desperate for help inside, and Kaman could definitely help a number of teams with a deficiency at center.

Zach Randolph

There have been conflicting beliefs about how long it will take for Randolph to return for the Grizzlies, but Memphis will have a clearer idea of his time frame by the time Monday comes to a conclusion.

Z-Bo is scheduled to receive a follow-up MRI to check just how far along he is in his recovery, and there is no doubt the Grizzlies could use him back as soon as possible.

Randolph is very important to what his team does beneath the basket, and there is no replacing what he brought to the table.

Metta World Peace

The experiment Mike Brown was running with Metta World Peace as his sixth man has temporarily concluded.

After starting in the Lakers' win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday, Brown revealed that World Peace would get at least one more game as the starter at small forward.

The position has been a black hole for Los Angeles this season, and the combination of World Peace, Matt Barnes, Devin Ebanks and Luke Walton leaves a lot to be desired.

Jason Kidd

Kidd might have aspirations to play beyond this season, but at some point, his body is going to start pushing back, and it appears that has already begun to happen.

After missing time previously this year with a bad back, he's now going to miss at least one week with a strained right calf.

Coach Rick Carlisle said that his starting point guard would likely be sidelined for longer than just a week, so the Mavericks will have to rely on Delonte West and Roddy Beaubois to fill the void.

D.J. Augustin

Augustin was playing well for the Bobcats this season prior to injuring his toe, and it doesn't seem like the injury will subside as soon as previously imagined.

Although he's traveling with the Bobcats on the four-game road trip, Augustin is unlikely to play in any of the games and his timetable for a return remains undefined.

There are also some rumblings that Augustin could be had in the right trade, but that has been the case for quite some time, as Charlotte has never been married to him as the long-term answer.

Gilbert Arenas

The Lakers have really struggled to produce offensively to date this season, and the woes have become such a concern that Los Angeles is considering adding Gilbert Arenas to the roster.

Arenas would have to clear a lot of hurdles in order for the scenario to come to fruition, but the Lakers are well aware of the off-court issues that come along with the veteran point guard.

Despite the early struggles, the Lakers are reportedly leaning against signing Arenas for the time being.

Jose Calderon

The Raptors are reportedly interested in trying to facilitate a trade for Jose Calderon, but that is the same tune Toronto has been singing for a while.

Calderon is owed approximately $10.5 million for the 2012-13 season, and it doesn't make a lot of sense for a rebuilding team like the Raptors to shell out that type of money for just one player.

Although a trade is a possibility, the Raptors will have a tough time acquiring strictly assets given the money left on Calderon's deal, and the team has no interest in taking back a bad contract just to move the veteran.

Wilson Chandler

Chandler is still playing professionally over in China, but he'll be a restricted free agent once the CBA season concludes and figures to draw a lot of interest stateside.

As a restricted free agent, Denver will be able to match any offer he receives, but the Nuggets certainly won't be without competition for his services.

The Toronto Raptors have a major need at small forward and may be ready to throw a serious contract offer his way, and that would really force Denver's hand in making a long-term decision on Chandler.

Amar'e Stoudemire

The Sixers have "inquired" on the trade availability of Amar'e Stoudemire.

Discussions between the Knicks and Sixers have reportedly been categorized as just "due diligence," and that shouldn't be surprising considering the circumstances.

Stoudemire's gargantuan salary would have to be offset in any deal, and that would likely result in the Knicks being forced to take back Elton Brand.

Stoudemire is a good player (with bad knees), and it's not a surprise there is interest in him, but this rumor just doesn't make a lot of sense for either side, as the Sixers would be on the hook for a ridiculous financial commitment.

It's imperative to remember Philadelphia still has its amnesty clause to use and would be unable to use it on an acquired player.

Rajon Rondo

Rajon Rondo's return from a wrist injury has been shrouded in mystery since he originally went down, but Doc Rivers remains hopeful that his return is just around the corner.

He could be back in the Celtics starting lineup on Tuesday, and that would really give his team a monumental boost and allow everyone of the "big four" to be healthy simultaneously.

Rondo is at the epicenter of everything the Celtics do on the offensive end, so the team is anxiously awaiting his return to the court.