Author: Jeff Zillgitt and Mark Medina, USA TODAY

The NBA calendar returns to a full 82-game schedule per team after pandemic-shortened seasons in 2019-20 and 2020-21.

Carmelo Anthony finally teams up with good friend LeBron James. Chris Paul and Kyle Lowry, two of biggest free agents, also sign new deals.

Chauncey Billips is expected to land his first coaching job. Becky Hammon and Mike D’Antoni could also get one of the four open coaching positions.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James violated the NBA’s health and safety protocols but will not face a 10- to 14-day quarantine away from the team.

The format is designed to give more teams a chance to make the playoffs, but to Mark Cuban, “this approach was an enormous mistake.”

Michael Rapaport posted a private social media exchange between him and Durant that revealed Durant’s use of homophobic slurs and profanity.

Who made the big move at the NBA trade deadline? Boston? Philadelphia? Miami? Los Angeles Clippers? Denver?

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver had minutes to make a decision that would not just alter the sports calendar but signal the enormity of COVID’s impact.