Odds & Ends: Paul, Harden, Cavs, Suns

The Clippers announced today in a press release that Chris Paul underwent successful surgery this morning to repair a torn ligament in his thumb. According to the team, Paul is expected to be sidelined for approximately eight weeks, which would put his return date in mid-October, about two weeks before the team's regular-season opener. Here are a few more Tuesday odds and ends from around the NBA:

• Zach Lowe of SI.com explores the possibility of the Thunder trading James Harden in a deal that would allow them to avoid a future tax hit and remain competitive in the short-term.
• Meanwhile, based on their cap management and draft strategy, it appears the Cavaliers are trying to recreate their own version of the Thunder, writes Stephen Brotherston of HoopsWorld.
• With current Sun Jermaine O'Neal and ex-Sun Grant Hill preparing to undergo Regenokine therapy, Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic examines the "magic treatment."
• Appearing on 640Sports radio, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra talked about the Lakers' offseason improvements, and how exciting it is for NBA fans that plenty of playoff teams only improved this summer (link via Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel).
• Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld identifies a handful of rookies to watch in 2012/13, while HoopsWorld's Yannis Koutroupis names four 2011 lottery picks who could benefit a change of scenery.