NBA Rumors Roundup: Dwight Howard and Chicago, Kevin Garnett Suspension and More

With the season started, the "offseason" isn't necessarily over. There's still some teams putting the finishing touches on their teams. There are still some free agents looking to sign. And yes, there's still some trade talk being had. 

Here's all the latest news, rumors and chatter regarding player movement, possible suspensions and injuries that occurred on opening day. 

Michael Pietrus to the Celtics

One of the better wings left on the market will be coming off the market today, provided that he passes his physical, something that didn't happen a week ago in Toronto. Mickael Pietrus flunked his physical then because there was swelling around his surgically-repaired right knee. 

Pietrus has a career average of 14 points and five rebounds per 36 minutes. He'll be a nice addition to a Celtics team in need of forwards with Jeff Green out for the year and Paul Pierce struggling with a heel injury. 

Cory Higgins to Charlotte Bobcats

A little nepotism never hurt anyone, certainly not Cory Higgins. Colorado's all-time leading scorer and the son of the Charlotte Bobcats president of basketball operations, Rod Higgins, signed on with the Bobcats after getting cut by the Denver Nuggets. 

To be fair, he was the last player cut in Denver, and showed flashes that he could play. Still, even with occupying the 15th spot on the roster, the 6'6" combo guard will have an extra bit to prove with his father being the one who signed him. 

Memphis and New Orleans Swap Quincy Pondexter for Greivis Vasquez

The New Orleans Horents and Memphis Grizzles reached a trade agreement to swap forward Quincy Pondexter for Grievis Vasquez. 

Pondexter aveaged 9.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per 36 minutes. Vazquez averaged 10.4 points and 6.3 assists per 36 minutes. 

This seems like a pretty even trade and works for both teams to land a player they need to fill roles. 

Iman Shumpert to Miss Time with a Sprained MCL

Iman Shumpert, the New York rookie guard, played well, scoring 11 points and grabbing four rebounds in just 22 minutes of play, but then when Boston Celtics forward Chris Wilcox fell against his knee, Shumpert sprained his MCL. 

The Knicks already have a thin and banged-up back court. Both Mike Bibby and Baron Davis are sidelined with back injuries, and now, it looks like Shumpert will be missing two to four weeks. 

Chuck Hayes Is in Sacramento for Good This Time

Chuck Hayes finally made it to Sacramento as part of the team. After initially signing and failing his physical because of a heart condition, Hayes went to the Cleveland Clinic and got clearance to play. 

Then, after a brief period, he revisited the Kings and signed the contract again. Now he's finally a King after the somewhat tumultuous free-agency period. 

Hayes efficiently summed things up saying, "I'm just happy I'm here and happy I'm healthy."

Not much need to say anything more. 

Kevin Garnett Suspended?

There is some speculation that Kevin Garnett will be suspended. Garnett choked twice in a short span of time. First, he choked when he missed the shot that would have tied the game. Then, he choked his former teammate, Bill Walker, after the game. 

Walker wasn't happy at all, saying after the game:

"

I’m a grown-up. You put your hands on my face, what part of the game is that? You know what the man does...Would you want me to put my hands on your face and push you away? I’m a man at the end of the day. It’s disrespectful. You should not do that to any man.

"

This is a situation similar to Ndamukong Suh on Thanksgiving Day when he stomped on the shoulder of Green Bay Packer, Even Dietrich-Smith. The national attention on the game means just about everyone in the world saw it over and over again. 

Given Stern's strict standard, and attention to public perception,  this will merit at minimum a fine, and in all likelihood, at least a one-game suspension. 

Adidas Weighs in on Dwight Howard to Chicago

Of all the craziness surrounding the whole Dwight Howard speculation, it's crazy but true, part of the decision is going to come down to shoes. 

Apparently, Adidas doesn't want Howard in Chicago, and that might be the reason the Windy City is not on his list. 

Why not? Because Howard and Rose are their big ticket endorsements and they don't want them both in the same city. According to Yahoo!'s Adrian Wojnarowski, 

"

And as one high-ranking sneaker executive says, “Adidas simply cannot have its two signature players on the same team in the same market. … Derrick is the face of that market, owns that market, and Adidas can’t possibly have maximum bang for its buck with Dwight there.

“It serves Adidas no purpose. They need them as rivals in competing markets.”

"

This might sound ludicrous, but the shoe deals we're talking about here are in the $50 million range. That's a lot of money, and Chicago's market belongs to Rose.