HoopsHype.com Rumors

By declining the options this week on four lottery picks from the 2009 draft -- No. 2 Hasheem Thabeet, No. 6 Jonny Flynn, No. 8 Jordan Hill and No. 11 Terrence Williams -- Houston reduced its 2012-13 payroll by nearly $18 million: $17,577,291 to be exact. The Rockets drafted none of the four, who become unrestricted free agents in July, acquiring all of them in separate trades with Memphis (Thabeet), Minnesota (Flynn), New York (Hill) and New Jersey (Williams). ... The Grizzlies and Thunder on Friday were granted Disabled Player Exceptions to spend on replacements for players lost for the season to injury: Darrell Arthur and Eric Maynor. Both exceptions expire March 12; Arthur's is valued at $1,013,560 and Maynor's is $758,348. The exceptions can be used to sign one player or claim a player on waivers without exceeding the respective assignment amounts of $1,113,560 in Arthur's case and $858,340 in Maynor's. Disabled Player Exceptions cannot be applied to trades except when the player is in the final year of his contract. ESPN.com

Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder, Eric Maynor, Darrell Arthur 

Memphis Grizzlies forward Darrell Arthur underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn right Achilles tendon, general manager Chris Wallace announced today. The surgery was performed Thursday by team physician Dr. Fred Azar and Dr. Drew Murphy at the Campbell Surgery Center. Arthur, a 6-9 power forward, suffered the injury Dec. 18 during practice. He will begin post-operative rehabilitation after what doctors deem an appropriate period of healing. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Injuries, Darrell Arthur 

Ken Berger: Grizzlies confirm MRI on Darrell Arthur revealed a season-ending torn right Achilles. Twitter

Memphis Grizzlies, Injuries, Darrell Arthur 

Chris Palmer: Tough news for Darrell Arthur. He did so many things for the Grizz people didn't notice. Really hurts them. Twitter

Memphis Grizzlies, Injuries, Darrell Arthur 

The Grizzlies' already undermanned frontcourt now must endure an unexpected and potentially devastating loss. Forward Darrell Arthur left practice Sunday morning with what was believed to be a torn right Achilles and the fear is that he might be lost for the entire 2011-12 season, according to sources with knowledge of situation. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Injuries, Darrell Arthur 

Grizzlies forward Darrell Arthur left practice this morning with a serious Achilles injury and the fear is that he might be lost for the entire 2011-12 season, according to sources with knowledge of situation. An early diagnosis by the team's medical staff indicated that Arthur might have suffered a torn left Achilles. The 6-9 reserve had just returned to practice after missing time with a sore right Achilles. The Griz were already thin at the power forward and center positions. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Injuries, Darrell Arthur 

Chris Vernon: Commercial Appeal is reporting the Grizzlies fear Darrell Arthur will miss entire season/ achilles injury. dreadful news. Twitter

Memphis Grizzlies, Injuries, Darrell Arthur 

Chris Mannix: NBA won't take any action against Darrell Arthur for his chop to James Harden's jaw on Tuesday, source said. Twitter

Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder, James Harden, Darrell Arthur 

Geoff Calkins: Shane Battier, asked about the bench, started raving about Darrell Arthur. "If they did that draft over, he'd go a lot higher." Twitter

Memphis Grizzlies, Darrell Arthur