– An MRI confirmed that Darrell Arthur (Memphis Grizzlies) tore his right Achilles tendon and will miss the whole 2011-2012 NBA season. According to the Commercial Appeal, recovery time could be anywhere from six to 12 months, which at worst might derail part of Arthur’s fifth season.

– With Arthur’s injury and the nonexistent depth in the Grizzlies’ frontcourt, Xavier Henry (Memphis Grizzlies) might be on the trading block. The Commercial Appeal floated Henry as a possible trade chip that could be used to snag a big man from the Philadelphia 76ers. Henry is still recovering from an ankle injury.

– It seems that newly traded Brandon Rush (Golden State Warriors) had to pick his Warriors jersey number right away, and since Rush’s customary No. 25 was already taken by training camp invite Tommy Mitchell, Rush will wear No. 4 with Golden State. Rush confirmed the switch on his Twitter, and the Warriors’ official site even posted a photoshopped picture of Rush in his new duds.

– Also on Golden State’s official site: Warriors coach Mark Jackson and GM Larry Riley talk about what Rush will bring to the team in a two minute video.

– IndyStar.com Pacers writer Mike Wells posted a look behind the scenes of the Rush trade. According to Wells, Rush wanted a fresh start and even asked to be traded at the end of last season.

– The path to playing time for Cole Aldrich (Oklahoma City Thunder) looks a little clearer now. On Monday morning, the Thunder traded away 2009 draft pick Byron Mullens, from Ohio State. Aldrich was already ahead of Mullens at the center position on the Thunder depth chart, so the trade probably won’t have any immediate impact on minutes, but it’s certainly a vote of confidence in Aldrich’s development.

– The Sun-Sentinel published a piece that looks at Mario Chalmers (Miami Heat) and his grasp on the Heat’s starting point guard role, especially with Miami’s 2011 draft pick, Norris Cole, nipping at Chalmers’ heels.

– Markieff Morris (Phoenix Suns) continues to impress his teammates. The latest? Suns vet Jared Dudley, who praised his rookie teammate’s effort via the team’s official Twitter.

– NBA preseason and media day gives us a lot of great photos, but so far, this is my favorite shot of a former Jayhawk.

That’s 22-year-old Markieff Morris next to 37-year-old Steve Nash, left, and 39-year-old Grant Hill, right. Neither Nash nor Hill play Markieff’s position, but you have to love that he has the opportunity to learn from those two All-Stars in his first season.

(Photo taken by Barry Gossage/NBAE Photos, found on NBA.com/Suns)

Jayhawks in NBA preseason games

Tuesday, Dec. 20

– 7 p.m., Nick Collison, Cole Aldrich and the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. the Dallas Mavericks

– 8 p.m., Markieff Morris and the Phoenix Suns vs. the Denver Nuggets

– 9 p.m., Brandon Rush and the Golden State Warriors vs. the Sacramento Kings

UPDATE, 1:14 p.m.: Looks like Rush won’t be playing for the Warriors tonight after all. In a tweet Tuesday afternoon, Rush said he will be in Sacramento to watch his new team play the Kings.