We will continue to provide you with daily columns from the most experienced staff writers of any US-based Web site, along with dispatches from Europe that will be especially appealing to American readers.
This page, which will be updated constantly, can be considered an enhancement.
Our lead rumormonger is Brett Poirier (pictured above), one of the brightest young NBA journalists out there. Hope he doesn’t mind me calling him a rumormonger at such an early age. Follow him on Twitter @BrettNBA.
Brett will also be hitting you with a daily trivia question.
Why?
Because we strive to be different and better at this here Web site. A little trivia mixes things up.
Click here for NBA News and Rumors from October 3, 2013
Wednesday, October 2
Daily Trivia: Russell Westbrook underwent successful arthroscopic knee surgery on Tuesday. The original injury occurred in late April after he collided with which player at mid-court? (Check out what the injury did to the Thunder in our latest Preseason Power Rankings).
And speaking of injuries, did you see the “Disabled Dozen” column? It is a must-read.
NBA jersey sales announced
Posted at 07:40 PM ET
The Miami Heat’s LeBron James, the Chicago Bulls’ Derrick Rose, Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant and Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade had the top-five selling NBA jerseys around the world last season according to Adidas’ sales, the league announced. Rose topped sales in Latin America and China while remarkably sitting out the entire season due to an injury sustained in the 2012 playoffs. The top 10 are rounded out by Carmelo Anthony at sixth, Dwight Howard, Deron Williams, Blake Griffin and Rajon Rondo at tenth.
Kobe performs light jogging and shooting in practice
Posted at 5:56 PM ET
For the first time since tearing his Achilles tendon six months ago, Kobe Bryant was on the court practicing with the Lakers, working on shooting and performed a light jog. Bryant hasn’t been cleared for all basketball activities, that will come after he’s able to run at full speed again. Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni is optimistic with the progress. “He keeps getting better. But they haven’t set a timetable. As soon as he can be ready, he’ll be ready.” Lakers guard Steve Nash recently speculated that Bryant may be back between the beginning of the season and Thanksgiving.
Number of draft picks to play overseas on the rise
Posted at 05:36 PM ET
Eight of the 24 U.S. players selected in the second round of the 2013 draft will be playing overseas this coming season, more than ever before, according to a study by HoopsHype. Between 2001-2007 only 16 draft picks went to play overseas. From 2008-2013 the number rose to 29 players. The study shows if you went to college in the States and ended up playing your first year of pro basketball outside of the NBA following a second-round draft selection, it doesn’t bode well for your future in the league. Only nine of the those guys have played in the NBA. As of now, only two – Matt Bonner and Darius Songaila – have played in the league for more than one season.
Andrew Bogut wants to remain with the Warriors
Posted at 11:29 AM ET
Warriors’ big man Andrew Bogut said he wants to remain with the team after his contract is up at the end of the season. Bogut’s in the last year of a deal he signed with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2008 which paid him $60 million. “I want to stay,” Bogut said. “There haven’t been [talks]. But I want to stay here, if I can. I like the organization, I like the direction, I like the owners, I love the coaches, I love the players,” he told Tim Kawakami of the Mercury News. The 7-footer has had his share of misfortunes since being drafted first overall in 2005 by the Bucks. Playing only one 82-game season in his career, he’s been riddled with injures that have caused him to miss nearly one-third of his career games. Last season with Golden State he played 32 games while averaging 5.8 points and 7.7 rebounds in those contests.
Pelicans Eric Gordon to miss first two weeks of preseason
Posted at 11:13 AM ET
As a precautionary measure, Eric Gordon is not expected to play in an exhibition game for about two weeks. 
Gordon participated in practice but is being monitored as he progresses his conditioning following offseason ankle surgery, according to head coach Monty Williams. Gordon “He’s ramping up, getting his conditioning back, since he just got his release from the doctors,” Williams said. “He’s moving toward the type of conditioning he needs to be in. I don’t want him to go out there full bore and pull a hamstring or something, because he hasn’t been going (physically) as long as the other guys have.” In the last two seasons Gordon only played 51 games and saw his points decrease from 22.3 per game in 2010-2011 to 17.0 per game in 2012-2013.
Steph Curry lists Bay Area penthouse
Posted at 06:23 AM ET
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry has listed his penthouse in Oakland for $1.695 million, realtor.com is reporting. Curry and his wife, Ayesha, purchased the loft apartment in November of last year. The luxury apartment is located 11 minutes away from Oracle Arena. Curry’s property includes three bedrooms, four bathrooms and approximately 2,084 square feet of living space. The Golden State sharpshooter is said to have embraced a more suburban lifestyle and has already moved into a single-family home.
Tuesday, October 1
Pau Gasol wants to remain a Laker
Posted at 09:44 PM ET
Pau Gasol has always been loyal to Lakers Nation, it doesn’t appear that will change, telling Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times he would like to stay in L.A. “I’d love to continue to play with the Lakers [next year]. We’ve been through so much together. Mostly amazing moments and some hard moments too.”It’s like a relationship. If you’re still together, it shows improved strength and consistency and how solid the relationship is. Hopefully we’ll see if we can extend it.” Gasol, 33, saw career-low numbers last season averaging 13.7 points per game and 8.6 assists per game.
Delonte West signs with club in China
Free agent guard Delonte West has signed a one-year deal with Fujian Xunxing of the Chinese Basketball Association, a source informed Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com. Terms of the deal and value are not yet known. West will have the opportunity to sign with an NBA team when his season ends in February. During a eight-year NBA career, he’s played for the Celtics, SuperSonics, Cavaliers and Mavericks. West has a career average of 9.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists.
Westbrook undergoes surgery
The Oklahoma City Thunder announced that Russell Westbrook underwent successful arthroscopic knee surgery today and will miss the first 4-6 weeks of the regular season. 
The procedure was to help alleviate any swelling from an injury which occurred in last season’s playoff series against the Houston Rockets. “Russell has been incredible in his work and rehabilitation. He has been pain-free and has performed at a high level during practice, but has experienced recent swelling that had not subsided,” said general manager Sam Presti in a statement. “After careful consideration and recommendations from the medical team, we elected to do the procedure today based on our consulting physician’s belief that the swelling would be alleviated.”
Bennett, Varejao cleared for training camp with Cavs
Anthony Bennett and Anderson Varejao have both have been fully cleared for basketball activities entering training camp with the the Cleveland Cavaliers. Bennett, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft, had shoulder surgery last May, which caused him to miss most basketball activities this summer. Varejao missed most of last season with blood clots in his legs. Varejao is entering his tenth season with the Cavs while Bennett is set to join the team for the first time this week.
Raptors rebranding the franchise
The Toronto Raptors will keep their name, but that’s about all that will remain the same. The franchise is hoping to change the logo, color and the way they’re perceived before hosting the 2016 NBA All-Star Game in Toronto. As their new Global Ambassador, Drake will play a vital role in the rebranding efforts to give the team an identity, something they’ve been lacking for years. Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment CEO Tim Leiweke said they’re woking with a Toronto-based firm to get the process up and rolling. He also said the fans will have some involvement with the new look but nothing will be changed until the 2015-2016 season.
J.R. Smith admits delaying surgery to sign contract
J.R. Smith says it was a “family decision” to delay his two knee surgeries in July until he signed a three-year extension with the Knicks worth $18 million. “I’m a father and I have two young children to look after, and it made more sense for my family to get a deal done before that,” Smith said during NBA Media Day. He said his recovery is going well and hopes to be ready for opening day on Oct. 30.
Danny Ainge to work the mic at selected Celtics games
Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge and former Celtics guard Chris Herren will fill in as color analysis on certain occasions throughout the season, Chad Finn of Boston.com reports. In a shakeup by CSNNE, Greg Dickerson, Donny Marshall, and Gary Tanguay won’t be part of the network coverage this season. Tommy Heinsohn will remain a color analyst for all home games alongside play-by-play voice Mike Gorman. During road games Hiensohn will stay in the studio, leaving the door open for Aigne and Herren to fill in.
Monday, September 30