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.

Lakers added triple-double threat Russell Westbrook, Heat add Kyle Lowry and Bulls upgrade their roster. The Pelicans are the biggest losers so far.

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

How teams fare during the free agency period could go a long way in determing how they fare during the regular season and playoffs.

USA TODAY Sports recaps the entire 2021 NBA draft with all 60 picks, plus pick-by-pick analysis on each of the first-round selections.

A record nine NBA All-Stars have missed at least one playoff game this season, with Trae Young and Giannis Antetokounmpo the lastest on the list.

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.”