FanHouse Troy Hudson

Alright, so technically speaking, I can't just head on down to the US Airways Center today to try my luck against Goran Dragic in some shooting drills. But it almost seems like I could, given the list of potential backup point guard candidates that the team has invited in for a workout to try and fill their open roster spot.

The six-player list is full of players who are either long past their prime, or who are completely untested in the NBA, and looks like this: Dee Brown, Damon Stoudamire, Troy Hudson, Darrell Armstrong, Eddie Gill and Walker Russell Jr.

Bright Side of the Sun has a nice little breakdown of the players and what they might bring to the table. Because we already know what the Suns are likely to get from players like Stoudamire and Armstrong who simply can't play anymore, my vote is for Walker Russell Jr.

Besides the entertainment factor of people inevitably confusing his last name for his first, Walker (see, I just did it) is the current D-League leader in assists. At least that's something, and it's more than you're likely to get from any of the other workout participants, which is a big helping of nothing.

For many NBA fans, Boston's run to the title last season wasn't just about watching the legendary Celtics return to the top of the basketball world. It was more about getting a chance to witness emote-icon Kevin Garnett complete his long journey to an NBA title. KG has long been respected by basketball faithful for being a player who leaves it all on the floor while wearing his heart on his sleeve, and his intense play during the Celtics' championship season only enhanced that reputation.

I was recently fortunate enough to get the chance to sit down with Garnett and talk to him straight-up about everything from what it's like to finally be a champion, to his thoughts on players who only show up during contract years. The candid interview took place over about 30 minutes in a back office of the NBA Store in New York. Hit the jump to read the full thing; and special thanks to NBA 2K9 for hooking me up with KG (who appears as the cover guy for the latest edition of the game).

When I think of the words "career-ending injury," I picture a basketball player suffering a grotesque knee injury or a football player taking a vicious hit that leaves him paralyzed. Sometimes, though, these things just kind of creep up on you, as in the case of Troy Hudson and his sore hip. From the San Francisco Chronicle (via BallHype):

"I think Troy's probably done," coach Don Nelson said after Tuesday's shootaround. "I don't think he'll play again. I'm serious. It's unfortunate, but he has a hip problem, and I haven't heard a second opinion, but it doesn't look good for him.

"He's going to have to have a new hip as he gets older, but we're quite concerned about him being able to play again. Right now, we're talking maybe four to six weeks off and then check again. But he has some spurs on his hip and arthritic conditions and it's just not a positive for him."

Hudson's doctor did suggest surgery to remove the spurs, but Hudson is reluctant considering the ensuing 18 months would most likely end his NBA career. He's going to seek a second and third opinion, but no matter what happens, it doesn't look good. The Warriors, meanwhile, are in a crunch without a backup point guard. Nelson isn't sure if they'll be adding another player anytime soon, but if they do, there are a handful of offensive minded point guards available on the free agent market (Earl Boykins) and trading block (Flip Murray?) who'd probably fit right into Golden State's style of play.

In trading Kevin Garnett, Minnesota's gameplan became clear to even the most casual NBA fans: Torch the place and rebuild. Well, the Timberwolves have already started.

The team reached a buyout agreement with point guard Troy Hudson Tuesday. Minnesota will save only $2 million over the next two years through the 80% buyout offer, but there is another big aspect, according to Rick Alonza of the St. Paul Pioneer Press:

Hudson automatically would have been guaranteed one more year, at $6,653,000, if he had reached certain performance levels, but now the Wolves are off the hook for that, too.

With T-Hud out of the picture, who's next? Well, Hudson should be the only buyout candidate. Others -- including Ricky Davis, Marko Jaric, and Juwan Howard -- can be had cheaply in the trade market. Mark Blount, who knows with that guy. He's the only guy not named Theo Ratliff who can play center, so you'd think Minny would need to keep him. But the franchise has to clear as much cap space as possible, with Al Jefferson due a big extension any week now.