NBA Training Camp Primer: Latest Buzz, Injuries and Roster Cuts

What's that? There's news regarding an All-Star center not named Dwight Howard?

Hard to believe, yes, but there is indeed life outside the Los Angeles Lakers' starting five—like Andrew Bynum, the guy who used to be part of that starting five. The newest Philadelphia 76er is finally returning to the floor after resting his knees, and his return couldn't come at a better time.

Well, two weeks ago would have been a better time, but Philly will take it. 

With the regular season just around the corner, preseason priorities are giving way to last-minute adjustments, roster cuts, lineup decisions and plenty of rest for those who need it.

Here's a rundown of buzz from around the league as training camps begin to wind down.

Andrew Bynum Returning to Practice?

The Los Angeles Lakers have been having all the fun this preseason, as they've watched Dwight Howard return to form in short order and even make his preseason debut this weekend.

Training camp hasn't been so kind to former Laker Andrew Bynum.

After receiving precautionary knee treatment this summer and subsequently bruising that knee, the center has been out of action and waiting to make his first impressions for the Philadelphia 76ers.

That wait appears to be over (via the Philadelphia Inquirer's John N. Mitchell):

"

The Sixers have targeted Wednesday as the day for Bynum to hit the floor and finally join the team for a series of practices that they hope will lead to his being available for the season opener next Wednesday against ex-Sixer Andre Iguoudala and his Denver Nuggets at the Wells Fargo Center.

"

Bynum has had the opportunity to study the 76ers' offense and grow somewhat accustomed to head coach Doug Collins' system, but it's hard to imagine him hitting the ground running.

The good news is that Philly has several other new pieces as well, including Jason Richardson, Nick Young, Dorell Wright and Kwame Brown. Bynum won't be the only one learning on the job, and the 76ers will almost certainly build momentum as the season progresses.

Dirk Nowitzki Not Making Any Promises About Return Date

The preseason has already seen more than its fair share of minor injuries and setbacks, but the most significant may be Dirk Nowitzki's need for arthroscopic knee surgery.

Having the procedure done should spare the All-Star ongoing problems later in the season, but it unfortunately means the Dallas Mavericks will start the season without their best player. Nowitzki told ESPN Dallas' Tim MacMahon that his expected return is not set in stone:

"

Once the swelling’s gone, we’re going to do a lot of court stuff and running and see how the knee responds to all that. We’re still a few weeks away from that. 

But I’m never afraid of working. I’m going to do everything possible to come back as soon as I can. I never liked missing games or liked sitting over there in a suit. I want to be out there as soon as I can.

"

Nowitzki's cautionary words stand in contrast to recent reports that the power forward's absence would be closer to three weeks than the six weeks originally anticipated.

Though the 34-year-old may simply be attempting to limit expectations, there's no question he's right about his recovery time frame ultimately depending on factors (i.e. swelling) that aren't in his control.

This doesn't quite qualify as bad news for the Mavs, but it does put something of a damper on what appeared to be much better news. 

Indiana Pacers Still Confident in Danny Granger

It might seem like Danny Granger's days with the Indiana Pacers are slowly coming to an end. 

His scoring has decreased in each of the last three seasons, settling at 18.7 points per game last year (he averaged a career-high 25.8 in 2008-09). He also shot the ball at a less than 42-percent clip last season, the worst of his career.

With Paul George emerging as a talented wing player in his own right, Granger looks more and more like the kind of trade bait who could land the club the playmaker it needs.

GM Kevin Pritchard sees things differently, or at least that's what he's saying (via HOOPSWORLD's Bill Ingram):

"

Danny was put into a position a few years ago where he needed to score a lot and now we don’t need his scoring as much, we need his overall game and he’s a heck of an overall player. That’s what we need out of Danny and he gives it. He’s shown to be very unselfish, he’s given up a lot of his offense to be a better defensive player last year. We got the fifth-best record in the league last year, you don’t just say, “We don’t need him.” That’s a bunch of baloney. I don’t believe that.

"

Of course, if Indy struggles to regain the breakout form it displayed last season, those sentiments could change relatively quickly.

Granger remains a dangerous perimeter shooter, and his length makes him a prototypical small forward with the ability to impact games defensively and rebound. On the other hand, he's never developed the kind of slashing game you'd like to see from a top-tier scorer.

Will the Golden State Warriors Extend Stephen Curry?

The Golden State Warriors have had a lot going on this summer.

With so much attention paid to healing ankles and the competition for that starting small-forward gig, it's easy to forget that Stephen Curry is in the same boat as guys like James Harden and Jrue Holiday—guys trying to work out extensions with their teams before the Oct. 31 deadline.

Though there's no question the organization would like to hang on to Curry, it could still wait until season's end to work on a new deal. That scenario is appearing increasingly likely at the moment, according to CSNBayArea.com's Matt Steinmetz:

"

The Warriors and Stephen Curry decided to table contract extension talks until the preseason is over – which is in two days. The thinking was that both sides would be better able to make a determination on that contract once Curry got some games under his belt.

Now, with Curry being held out of the last two preseason games, his contract situation would seem to be more uncertain.

"

After trading Monta Ellis to the Milwaukee Bucks, holding on to Curry becomes all the more important.

Though he's already put together a troubling injury history, he's one of the league's most skilled young point guards when healthy—and one of its best shooters, period.

Rookie Jonas Valanciunas Toronto's Starting Center?

Though head coach Dwane Casey says he's, "not going to lock [himself] in a corner as far as a rotation," the Toronto Sun's Mike Ganter reports that rookie Jonas Valanciunas looks to be the Toronto Raptors' starting center entering the season.

The 20-year-old made some good impressions in his first NBA preseason after being taken with the fifth overall pick in 2011. Through five games, he averaged seven points, nearly seven rebounds and two blocks in just under 24 minutes a game.

His biggest assets, however, may simply be his size and mobility.

If Valanciunas can establish himself as an imposing paint presence on the defensive end, he would allow Casey to play Andrea Bargnani at power forward.

This is probably a good sign for the team going forward, but it's also a reminder of just how young this rotation is.

San Antonio Spurs Say Goodbye to Eddy Curry, Derrick Brown

The San Antonio Spurs had a 15th roster spot up for grabs, presumably going to either Eddy Curry or Derrick Brown—or, as it were, maybe not (via Yahoo! Sports' Marc J. Spears):

"

Spurs waive center Eddy Curry and forward Derrick Brown.

— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) October 23, 2012"

Given the club's depth, the move isn't terribly surprising.

The Spurs could still fill it with an in-house training camp option—including power forward Josh Powell—or they could preserve some flexibility in the event a sensible addition becomes available during the season.

For his part, Curry's mostly impressive preseason has already garnered some interest from around the league, so he shouldn't be out of a gig for long. He's still attempting a career comeback after latching on with the Miami Heat ever so briefly last season.

Brown, who's played almost all of his three-year career with the Charlotte Bobcats, is coming off his best season and should likewise find an opportunity sooner or later.

J.J. Hickson to Start at Center for Portland Trail Blazers

With Marcus Camby's departure to the Houston Rockets last season, the Portland Trail Blazers were left without a conventional center and with little interest in using 6'11" LaMarcus Aldridge at the position given the physical toll it can take.

The Oregonian's Joe Freeman reports that the starting job now belongs to J.J Hickson:

"

Stotts on decision to start Hickson: "Meyers (Leonard) and Joel (Freeland) are playing well, but I think J.J. has earned the starting spot."

— Joe Freeman (@BlazerFreeman) October 23, 2012"

The organization acquired Hickson last season after he was waived by the Sacramento Kings, and he averaged 15.1 points and 8.3 rebounds in 19 games with Portland.

Though a bit undersized for the center spot, the 6'9" Hickson is strong and explosive enough to hold his own against most big men in today's league.

Portland's only other credible option was rookie Meyers Leonard. Though the job may one day belong to the 20-year-old, there's no question that Hickson is a far more polished player at this point, especially on the offensive end.

The Toronto Raptors Aren't There Yet

The more things change, the more they stay the same—at least for teams getting used to drafting in the lottery.

The Toronto Raptors took some important steps in the right direction this summer, acquiring point guard Kyle Lowry from the Houston Rockets, signing free agent Landry Fields and drafting Terrence Ross out of Washington.

A turnaround won't happen overnight, though.

This is still a young team that's proved plenty adept at frustrating head coach Dwane Casey, especially with 14-turnover halves like the one against the Milwaukee Bucks.

“It drives him crazy,” Raptors swingman DeMar DeRozan said (via the National Post's Eric Koreen). “You can definitely see it. [Over] everything else, he hates turnovers. We’re just trying to clean that up so we ain’t got to hear his mouth.”

Of course, Casey might have more cause to be frustrated with general manager Bryan Colangelo or perhaps even fate. Mistakes are par for the course for a young team with a new point guard running the show. 

The Raptors could hit their stride this season and demonstrate some significant improvement, but it's hard to see that happening in the next couple of months.

Utah Jazz and Raja Bell Trying to Part Ways

With Randy Foye and Alec Burks set to play the majority of minutes at the 2-spot, the Utah Jazz no longer have much use for shooting guard Raja Bell.

Accordingly, Real GM's Shams Charania reports that he probably won't be with the club for much longer:

"

New story: Raja Bell and the #Jazz have moved past contract buyout negotiations and are now weighing trade scenarios. tinyurl.com/9p9j5uk

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 23, 2012"

Bell only played in 34 games last season thanks to knee problems, but he was having his most efficient season ever as a shooter, making nearly 47 percent of his field-goal attempts (and 39 percent from beyond the arc).

With the 36-year-old losing a step to age, though, his status as one of the league's premier perimeter stoppers is increasingly in question.

He could stil contribute 15-to-20 minutes of toughness to a young team in need of some veteran help (the Cleveland Cavaliers come to mind). Otherwise, he may become an insurance policy for a contender looking to add depth.