Rumors, moves, injuries and newsmakers...

Looking ahead to Arenas' return; Good news for Dirk; Rip out for Pistons; Walsh steps down in Indy; Pietrus misses another; Beno's back, momentarily; and more...

WAITING FOR AGENT ZERO 
His Wizards are still looking strong in the hunt for a playoff spot. And for all involved, it only makes sense for him to be cautious with his surgically-repaired knee. But despite all that, everyone seems to be itching for Gilbert Arenas to return to game action.

Why? Plenty of reasons. First, Arenas is a true fantasy force when he plays, posting elite scoring numbers, solid assist totals, and excellent steals production. Second, Arenas is simply one of the most exciting and interesting players in the Association. He loves to interact with fans, he's a true showman, and his enthusiasm on the court makes any Wizards game worth watching. Third, of course, is that his Wizards haven't actually sewn up that playoff spot yet.

At 36-33 Washington is 5th overall in the East, with several teams close behind. Additionally, bringing Arenas back will take some transition, which might itself be tough on team chemistry. With their superstar expected out for another week and the Wiz visiting Portland Tuesday night, can they stay on track as they await the return of Agent Zero?

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GOOD NEWS FOR DIRK 
Mavericks' superstar Dirk Nowitzki suffered a mildly sprained knee and a moderate high ankle sprain during Sunday's game against the Spurs, and is out indefinitely. But he told the Associated Press Monday he hopes to be back within a week or two. INTEL: This is obviously not great news for Nowitzki or the Mavs, who are in a dogfight for a playoff spot. But it is better than it looked Sunday, when Big Dirk needed to be helped off the court. Nowitzki will likely be replaced by a committee of Brandon Bass, Devean George, and Malik Allen in the interim. Only Bass is likely to put up significant numbers with the increased involvement.

ARENAS UPDATE 
The Washington Post reports superstar guard Gilbert Arenas will miss up to another week of action as he has been told by team doctors he needs that much more time for his surgically-repaired knee to heal. INTEL: Arenas has been hoping to get back as soon as possible, but at least now he has a timeline. He is currently on a five-game road swing with the Wiz, so he may be able to finally suit up either Sunday, Mar.30 at the Lakers or Monday, Mar.31 at Utah. Antonio Daniels and Roger Mason continue to be solid in his place.
WITH RIP OUT, STUCKEY STEPS UP 
Pistons' shooting guard Richard Hamilton missed Monday's contest against the Suns due to a sore left hip. Joining him on the sidelines was reserve guard Juan Dixon, shelved by a strained left calf. INTEL: Rookie Rodney Stuckey filled in with 30 minutes of acton at the 2-guard spot for the two missing shooters, although he came off the bench in favor of fellow rookie shooting guard Arron Afflalo, who played 21 minutes. Stuckey's 13 points, two assists, and two steals helped Detroit upset the Suns 110-105, while Afflalo managed six points and three helpers. Hamilton probably won't be out too long, but it's a good sign for Detroit that their kiddie corps is ready to help out.
WALSH STEPS DOWN IN INDY 
Indiana Pacers' CEO Donnie Walsh stepped down from his post Monday, and several sources suggest he may be hired to take over the New York Knicks. INTEL: Looks like team president Larry Bird seems to be staying on to run the Pacers. Bird has come under a lot of criticism for the team's woes of recent seasons, but now that there is no conflict of opinions between him and Walsh, it will be interesting to see how he responds. For Walsh's part, he has a history of coveting talented but troubled players (from Ron Artest to Jamaal Tinsley to Stephen Jackson and several others) so it's a bit ironic he might be heading to New York, which has a roster already stocked with players like that.

PIETRUS MISSES ANOTHER 
After being one of the NBA's hotter players over the past few weeks, Mickael Pietrus has now missed two straight contests for the Warriors due to a strained groin. That includes Monday's game versus the Lakers. INTEL: Pietrus has been starting at power forward lately and has been excelling in the role, averaging 12.5 rebounds and 15.5 points over his past two contests. With him out the Warriors are giving swingman Kelenna Azubuike more burn, and usual starting center Andris Biedrins is more in the mix than usual, with Al Harrington moving from center to power forward.

BENO'S BACK, MOMENTARILY 
Kings' point guard Beno Udrih returned to the lineup Monday against the Rockets after missing three games to a strained back. But he played just 10 minutes before having to shut it down. INTEL: Looks like Udrih remains day-to-day. It's a shame he is hobbled lately because Udrih was emerging in recent months as one of the NBA's better point guards. With him out, Anthony Johnson and John Salmons split time running the show for the Kings.

NOCIONI LATEST RAGING BULL 
After an on-court confrontation with interim head coach Jim Boylan during Saturday's loss to the Pacers, forward Andres Nocioni has publicly apologized to Boylan. INTEL: Nocioni was upset by getting to play only three minutes on Saturday, and admitted to reporters he is frustrated by the team's struggles. More interesting is the fact that this is just the latest in a litany of outbursts by Chicago players this season, from Tyrus Thomas to Joakim Noah to Chris Duhon to now Nocioni. The Chicago Tribune reports Nocioni has been fined for his actions, but it's notable that he is a classy veteran and when a guy like Nocioni loses it, it suggests the whole team is a mess.

BARRY BACK, OFFICIALLY 
Several media sources have confirmed that veteran combo guard Brent Barry has re-signed with the Spurs. He was traded by the team to Seattle on Feb.20 in the Kurt Thomas trade. INTEL: NBA rules precluded Barry from re-signing with his old team until recently. Barry remains one of the more efficient and clutch veteran combo guards in the NBA, a guy who can carry the ball up and hit key perimeter shots. He obviously felt most comfortable with the Spurs, with whom he has played for the past four seasons. His return will likely cut into the playing time of Michael Finley and Manu Ginobili, but especially that of Jacque Vaughn.

CHARLIE BELL HAS TORN MCL 
The Associated Press reports that Bucks' combo guard Charlie Bell will be sidelined at least two weeks after an MRI revealed he has a torn MCL in his right knee. Bell has been very durable until now, playing in 191 straight games. INTEL: With Bell out Monday Royal Ivey saw just seven minutes off the pine for the Bucks in their 78-73 loss to the dismal Heat. One might expect Ivey and Bobby Simmons would have picked up the slack as top perimeter players off the bench, but Simmons didn't even see a minute. It looks like the struggling Bucks are shortening their bench, and will instead go with forward Yi Jianlian as their top reserve while Bell is out.

TINSLEY SHUTTING IT DOWN 
The Indianapolis Star reports point guard Jamaal Tinsley will miss the rest of this season because of chronic pain in his knee. INTEL: Tinsley was having a productive season when he was on the court, averaging a career-high 8.4 assists per game to go along with 11.9 points and 1.7 steals. That said, he was an ongoing distraction because of his off-court scrapes with trouble, and may be moved out by the team as part of a housecleaning that team owners are alluding to lately. With him out, productive journeyman Ronald Murray has taken over at the point and is averaging 12.4 points, 2.5 assists, and 1.7 steals per game in March.

WARRICK STILL SURGING 
Continuing his strong play since being named a starter in early February, Grizzlies' forward Hakim Warrick on Monday posted 29 points, seven boards, and three steals versus the Nuggets in the Grizzlies' 120-106 loss. INTEL: Warrick has always had star-caliber talent and athleticism, and now he's finally getting a chance to showcase it. He was held back early in his career by inconsistency and low defensive totals, but the three steals show he is picking up that part of his game. Warrick may get center eligibility in most fantasy leagues by the end of the season, so he is definitely a great player to pick up for the stretch run.

J.R. KEEPS PRODUCING 
Continuing his trend of incredible production in limited playing time, swingman J.R. Smith hit up the Grizzlies for 27 points Monday in only 21 minutes off the bench to lead the Nuggets to a 120-106 win. INTEL: Few players do as much in as little time as Smith, who is probably only not starting because head coach George Karl continues to make him earn his minutes on the defensive end. Only San Antonio's Manu Ginobili is as explosive in short spurts off the bench, and if Smith ever gets a chance to start he is a legitimate top-10 scoring threat in the NBA.

QUINN IS MIGHTY FOR MIAMI 
Starting at point guard Monday versus the Bucks, point guard Chris Quinn dropped a career-high 24 points, adding four assists and four steals in 38 minutes of a 78-73 win. INTEL: Quinn got the nod because usual starting point guard Jason Williams was out again nursing a sprained right thumb. Quinn is an underrated playmaker who can be productive with a healthy amount of playing time. That said, Williams is day-to-day so Quinn's outburst may be short-lived.

NO NATE FOR KNICKS 
Knicks' combo guard Nate Robinson on Monday missed his straight contest due to a sprained knee. For now he is day-to-day. INTEL: Robinson has been enjoying a bit of a breakout campaign for the Knickerbockers, averaging 12.8 points and three assists per game. With him out the Knicks get even more of an opportunity to look at rookie forward Wilson Chandler, who started Monday against the Nets. Chandler had 13 points Monday, and has now scored in double-figures in four straight outings.