In today’s NBA news other than the big Wizards-Suns trade, Raptors guard Kyle Lowry will be forced to wear a splint on his left ring finger for about 6 weeks, and Bulls backup point guard Kirk Hinrich has been cleared to return from his concussion.
Gortat traded to Wizards
After saying he expected to be traded by the Phoenix Suns, the “Polish Hammer” was indeed dealt Friday to the Washington Wizards in a multi-player deal that send Emeka Okafor to what should be the worst team in the Western Conference. Phoenix also gets a top-12 protected 2014 first-round draft pick.
Phoenix now potentially possesses four first-round selections in the 2014 NBA Draft: the Suns’ own pick, Indiana’s pick (top-14 protected) and Minnesota’s pick (top-13 protected).
“We are excited to add another first-round pick in what is shaping up to be the best draft in a decade,” said Suns General Manager RyanMcDonough. “We now have a chance to make four first-round selections in 2014. Emeka Okafor is a solid veteran center who will help solidify our front line when and if he is able to return from injury.”
Okafor has missed the entire preseason with a herniated disc in his back.
Lowry to wear splint for 6 weeks
According to a tweet from the Toronto Raptors, starting point guard Kyle Lowry will have to wear a splint on his left ring finger for the next six weeks.
Lowry injured the finger during the third quarter of Wednesday’s preseason win over the Memphis Grizzlies. The injury is not thought to be serious however, and Lowry will not be forced to miss any regular season games. 
The major question here will be how the splint will affect Lowry’s dribbling and shooting ability. If it does end up giving him fits, backup PG D.J. Augustin will see an increase in minutes.
Lowry, 27, is coming off a sub-par season in which he averaged 11.6 points, 6.4 assists, and 4.7 rebounds in 68 games.
The former Villanova product will quarterback the Raptors’ offense this season, an offense that might surprise some people.
If all things fall into place this year for Toronto, they have a shot to claim one of the final two playoff spots in the East.
To see where we think they will finish, click here for our season preview.
Hinrich cleared for action
According to the Chicago Tribune, Bulls backup point guard Kirk Hinrich, has been cleared to return to the court after suffering a concussion in last Friday’s preseason game versus the Pacers.
Hinrich suffered the injury when he smashed into teammate Erik Murphy on a drive and his head made contact with both Murphy and the floor. He would only end up missing one week of action.
The return of Derrick Rose will force Hinrich back to the bench this season, but he should still play a good amount of minutes.
Hinrich, who split time Nate Robinson and Marquis Teague last season, averaged 7.7 points, 5.2 assists, and 2.6 rebounds in just over 29 minutes.
His Bulls’ squad certainly has all the tools to win the Eastern Conference, but we will see how it all plays out.
Check out our season preview right here.