Central Links: Stuckey, Bulls, Mohammed

Yesterday, we heard that Rodney Stuckey would undergo surgery on his thumb, and today the Pistons followed up with another press release announcing that the procedure was successful. With just 15 players under contract, the Pistons have room to bring in players to audition for a roster spot if they’re worried about backcourt depth, but Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link) hears that there’s hope within the organization that Stuckey will return by opening night. As such, a roster move is very unlikely.

Here’s more from around the Central:

  • Within his weekly chat, Larry Coon of HoopsWorld identifies Luol Deng (Bulls) and Danny Granger (Pacers) as two trade candidates to watch as this season’s deadline approaches. However, Coon cautions that if Derrick Rose remains healthy and the Bulls are firmly in the hunt, trading Deng would be hard to justify.
  • Sam Smith of Bulls.com fields plenty of Bulls-related trade inquiries in his latest mailbag, including questions on Deng, Carlos Boozer, and Taj Gibson. Smith also extensively discusses the latest report of discord among the Bulls’ coach and GM, suggesting that it’s been overblown and shouldn’t affect the team. John Paxson also shot down the report this week.
  • Nazr Mohammed, who re-signed with the Bulls this offseason, is interested in pursuing an NBA management role after his player career ends, as he tells Aggrey Sam of CSNChicago.com.
  • Earlier today, I asked whether or not the Cavaliers will be a playoff team in 2013/14, and so far, more than 70% of you say yes.
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