The point guard position is one of the NBA’s hardest. And it’s even tougher when you are a rookie, and on a rebuilding team, and going against some nasty opponents. Here’s the Philadelphia Inquirer:

Michael Carter-Williams will not get the opportunity to ease his way into the NBA.

In six of the first seven games, the 76ers’ rookie point guard will introduce himself to a Murderers Row of point guards in the league.

He will be matched up against Washington’s John Wall twice, Chicago’s Derrick Rose, Golden State’s Stephen Curry, and twice against Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving.

It’s a brutal challenge that the 6-foot-6, 185-pounder says he welcomes.

“It’s a big learning experience for me to see what I can get better on against the best of the best,” Carter-Williams said.

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that Gersson Rosas has resigned as the General Manager.

“I made the personal decision to resign as General Manager of the Dallas Mavericks after determining that the position was not the best fit for me at this point in my career,” said Rosas. “The decision was made solely by me, as I firmly believe this change is in my best interest.”

“Mark Cuban asked me to reconsider my decision, but graciously accepted my decision and we part as friends, Rosas continued. “I would like to thank Mark and the Dallas Mavericks for the opportunity.”

“I was disappointed when Gersson told me of his decision, but I understand and all of us wish him the best,” Cuban said.

Rosas was hired as the team’s General Manager on Aug. 1, 2013.

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has elected to exercise its fourth-year team options for guard Alec Burks and center Enes Kanter.  The options for both players are through the 2014-15 season.

Burks (6-6, 205, Colorado) is entering his third NBA season after appearing in 64 games (all as a reserve) and averaging 7.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 17.8 minutes during his sophomore season for the Jazz in 2012-13.  He scored in double figures on 19 occasions, including a career-high 26 points in 27 minutes at Sacramento on February 9.

The 22-year-old was originally selected by the Jazz with the 12th overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft.  Burks averaged 11.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 23.9 minutes in eight preseason games for the Jazz.

The 21-year-old Kanter (6-11, 248, Kentucky) is also entering his third NBA season after appearing in 70 games (two starts) for the Jazz in 2012-13 and improving his averages in every major statistical category over his rookie campaign.

The center from Turkey averaged 7.2 points and 4.3 rebounds while shooting .544 from the field in 15.4 minutes during his second season, scoring in double figures 22 times and grabbing double-digit rebounds twice, including career highs of 23 points and 22 rebounds vs. Charlotte on March 1.

Originally selected by the Jazz in the first round (third overall) of the 2011 NBA Draft, Kanter averaged 12.1 points and 5.5 rebounds on .513 (41-80) shooting in 23.6 minutes per game during the 2013 preseason.

It’s going to be a rough year for the Phoenix Suns. There’s no other way to say it. Here are a few of the many reasons why, via Arizona Sports:

The Phoenix Suns are one day away from a new era.

Jeff Hornacek will make his debut as an NBA head coach Wednesday night as the Suns host the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2013-14 season opener for both teams at US Airways Center.

The first-year head coach will take the court with one of the youngest and most inexperienced teams in the league — especially at the center spot.

After last week’s trade of Marcin Gortat to the Washington Wizards, the Suns are left with three post players — Miles Plumlee, Alex Len and Viacheslav Kravtsov — who have a combined 279 minutes of NBA playing experience.

The Miami Heat are still considered the best team in the East — and the league. But on paper, the Brooklyn Nets look able to at least compete with the champs. And Shaquille O’Neal agrees. Here’s the New York Daily News:

The big-name acquisitions made over the summer by GM Billy King have the Nets talking NBA title contention. But the championship rhetoric isn’t contained within the confines of the Barclays Center or the team’s training site in East Rutherford.

Some believe the Nets have what it takes to knock LeBron James and the two-time defending NBA champion Miami Heat from their perch. Former NBA great and current TNT analyst Shaquille O’Neal is one of them. He feels Brooklyn’s title aspirations are legitimate, provided its star players can stay on the court and build chemistry.

“If they can stay healthy, I think they can give Miami a run,” O’Neal said Monday at a TNT luncheon in New York, according to SI’s Richard Deitsch. “If they come together, I think they can take Miami.”

The consensus at Nets practice Monday was they were appreciative of his comments and agree with his qualifier regarding the team’s health.

A healthy and even more efficient Dwyane Wade would be a scary thing for anyone playing against the Miami Heat. But if all goes as planned, that’s exactly what the Heat will have as a weapon. Here’s the Miami Herald:

Practice had long since ended last week, but there was Dwyane Wade — the last player on the floor — working with assistant David Fizdale on polishing his post moves.

Indiana coach Tom Crean, his close friend and former coach at Marquette, pointed out this summer that Wade is “one of the most efficient players to ever play the game.”

But even after finishing seventh in last season’s NBA’s efficiency ratings — he was second or third the previous four years — Wade said in no uncertain terms: “I’ve got to be way more efficient than I’ve ever been.”

Wade, off July’s Ossatron knee treatment, has looked very good — “best I’ve seen him since year one,” LeBron James said earlier in camp — and how his game evolves, at 31, will be fascinating.

We all hate to see top NBA stars fade away into the sunset. But as for Dirk Nowitzki, maybe he’ll remain effective longer than some people expect. Here’s the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:

On paper, forward Dirk Nowitzki might be in the twilight of his career. But owner Mark Cuban is hopeful the 35-year old 11-time All-Star can play until he’s 40 years old.

“Dirk is [serious] about his health — he’s disciplined,” Cuban said. “He won’t eat fried foods during the season, he won’t drink during the season.

“He’s disciplined enough that I think he sees guys like [38-year-old Miami Heat guard] Ray Allen and others who are going later and later and later. So who knows? I won’t put a limit on him.”

Cuban said because Nowitzki is conscious about exercise and watching his caloric intake, his career could extend a few more years.

Here is a statement from the Boston Celtics:

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have suspended forward Jared Sullinger one game for his role in an incident that occurred on August 31, 2013. The suspension will be served during the team’s game at Toronto on October 30, 2013.

“Jared’s case was dismissed yesterday in Waltham District Court,” said Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge. “While we are satisfied that this was the correct ruling, we are suspending Jared for one game because he failed to meet the high expectations we have for all Celtics employees.”

The team will have no further comment on this matter.

Good news for Boston Celtics big man Jared Sullinger, as charges against him have been dismissed. Here’s the Boston Globe:

Forward Jared Sullinger practiced with the Celtics here Monday hours after domestic violence charges against him were dismissed in Waltham District Court.

The charges, which included assault and battery, destruction of property, and witness intimidation, stemmed from an altercation Sullinger had with his girlfriend in August at his apartment in Waltham…

The charges were dismissed after Sullinger’s girlfriend, Deann Smith, told authorities that she would not testify against him.

I find this cool. This is an InsideHoops.com photo of an empty Madison Square Garden, with a court sitting there ready to be used. Picture yourself shooting around or playing here:

The big addition to the Charlotte Bobcats is Al Jefferson, but the center is still healing, and questionable to start the season. The good news is, it sounds like if he doesn’t play the opener, he should be on the court relatively soon. Here’s the Charlotte Observer:

While Charlotte Bobcats center Al Jefferson is still optimistic he’ll play in Wednesday’s season opener in Houston, the team is listing him as questionable with a sprained right ankle.

Jefferson was hurt early in the preseason when he stepped on the foot of Miami Heat center Chris Bosh and landed awkwardly. He participated in most, but not all, of Monday’s practice after sitting out nearly three weeks.

“He did some contact, some 5-on-5, but not everything,” coach Steve Clifford said.

Jefferson said “in my head” he’s ready to play Wednesday against perennial All-Star Dwight Howard, whom the Rockets signed during the summer.

The NBA regular season starts tomorrow, with Orlando and Indiana squaring off to get things started. But the Magic coaching staff still have some decision-making to make. Here’s the Orlando Sentinel:

The Magic are settled at every position except for power forward, where Vaughn will choose between 23-year-olds Kyle O’Quinn and Andrew Nicholson and 30-year-old Jason Maxiell, who was the team’s top free-agent acquisition over the summer.

Vaughn won’t disclose who he’ll start at power forward against the Pacers, but Maxiell would provide toughness and experience against the Pacers’ rugged power forward, David West.

“Part of the reason that Max is here is to bring a physicality and an aggressiveness to our team, and I think he enjoys that,” Vaughn said. “He embraces that role.”

The Magic will need to harness all of their toughness in the days ahead.

Chicago Bulls fans are very excited to have Derrick Rose back healthy and ready to roll. And D-Rose himself thinks the team already has great energy. Here’s the Bulls.com Blog:

Rose said he and his teammates are excited and optimistic.

“No disrespect to any of my old teammates, but it seems like we’re way more focused this year,” Rose said. “I think we’re a different team than last year. Of course they learned how to win games without me. But I think we’re a totally different team where all the guys, they’re focused in. Everyone knows their role and I told you this team is totally opposite, where every guy comes in. Even the rookies, they’re acting like professionals when they come in. So for us, we have a great chance to contend for a title.”

There’s no reason to rush onto the court at the start of the season if a player is still healing from injury. The Phoenix Suns are aware of this. Here’s Arizona Sports:

From the moment the Suns drafted Alex Len with the fifth-overall pick, the plan was to bring the 7-foot-1 center along slowly.

That is still the plan, but with the trade of Marcin Gortat to the Washington Wizards, the door is now open for Len to play right away, gaining valuable in-game experience rather than watching from the bench.

“My first NBA season and I already get playing time,” he said. “It’s exciting; just go right at it. I think it’s going to help my progress. I’m going to learn so much faster.”

The learning begins this week — that is, if his left ankle feels OK.

New York Knicks President and General Manager Steve Mills announced today that the team has exercised its fourth-year contract option on guard Iman Shumpert.

This was expected. Shumpert is one of the few young building blocks on the Knicks roster, and has exceeded expectations so far in his early NBA career.

In two seasons, Shumpert, 6-5, 220-pounds, holds career averages of 8.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists over 26.0 minutes in 104 games (80 starts) with New York. He appeared in, and started, 45 games last season to average 6.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists over 22.1 minutes. The Oak Park, IL native was originally selected by the Knicks in the first round (17th overall) of 2011 NBA Draft and earned 2011-12 NBA All-Rookie First Team honors.

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has waived guards Shannon Brown, Malcolm Lee and Kendall Marshall. The trio was acquired from Phoenix, along with center Marcin Gortat, in exchange for center Emeka Okafor and a 2014 protected first round draft pick.

Brown has averaged 8.1 points and 2.0 rebounds in 374 career games with Cleveland, Chicago, L.A. Lakers, Charlotte and Phoenix. Lee has averaged 4.9 points and 2.4 rebounds in 35 career games with Minnesota before being traded to Phoenix last summer. Marshall averaged 3.0 points and 3.0 assists during his rookie season with Phoenix last year.

The Wizards roster now stands at 15.

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have exercised their fourth-year options on forward Kawhi Leonard and guard Cory Joseph. Both players are now signed through the 2014-15 season.

In two seasons with the Spurs, Leonard has appeared in 122 games, averaging 9.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.49 steals in 32.8 minutes. In 35 career playoff games, the California native has averaged 11.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.54 steals in 33.0 minutes. Leonard joined the Spurs in a 2011 draft night deal that saw the Silver and Black send George Hill to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Leonard’s rights, along with the rights to Davis Bertans and Erazem Lorbek.

Now entering his third season in San Antonio, Joseph has averaged 3.2 points, 1.5 assists and 1.4 rebounds in 11.5 minutes in a total of 57 games during his first two NBA campaigns. The University of Texas product was drafted by San Antonio with the 29th overall pick in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft.

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced that the team has waived center Marcus Camby (as of Oct. 27) and guard Reggie Williams, which brings the Rockets roster down to 15 players.

Camby has had lingering injury problems, and it doesn’t appear he’ll be able to help any NBA team in the near future. It’ll be interesting to see if he tries to keep playing, or calls it a career.

Look, people. Chris Kaman appreciates some basic communication. Is that too much to ask? Here’s the Los Angeles Daily News (Blog):

The Clippers acquired Chris Paul by trading Kaman along with Eric Gordon, Al-Faroug Aminu and a 2012 first-round pick, a move that instantly brought credibility to the organization and improved the team’s culture. And though Kaman hardly takes offense toward the Clippers shedding ties with him, he still sounded disturbed on how they handled it.

“I didn’t think they were respectful about it,” Kaman said. “After playing eight years, at least they could’ve told me what was going on. I wasn’t going to fight it. I understand it. Who wouldn’t want to make a trade to get Chris Paul. Look what it’s done for the organization. But just tell me. I would’ve appreciated if someone told me instead of finding out on ESPN.”

The Philadelphia 76ers today announced they have signed rookie free agent forward Brandon Davies.

Davies (6-10, 240) was named All-West Coast Conference First Team as a junior and a senior at Brigham Young University. The 22-year-old was also named Most Valuable Player of the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament pre-NBA Draft camp this past April. Davies also competed for the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2013 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas and appeared in five games for the Clippers this preseason.