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.

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.

From 1960-1980, some of the NBA’s best big men — Russell, Chamberlain, Kareem — won MVP awards. Then the role of center changed with the game.

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

There were some deadline day deals moves that could have an impact on the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs. Could is the key word.

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