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ISTANBUL
The 2020-21 NBA season will begin Tuesday with a reduced schedule of 72 games due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Brooklyn Nets will host the Golden State Warriors at the Barclays Center at 7 p.m. EST on Tuesday (0000 GMT Wednesday) in the inaugural clash, while the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers will fight at the Staples Center in the west at 10 pm EST.
The usual starting date for the season is in October, but it was delayed because the pandemic caused postponements during the 2019-20 season.
The draft took place on November 18, free agents began negotiating with teams on November 20, and signed contracts effective November 22.
Last season
The Lakers defeated the Miami Heat in the final in six games to win their first championship in 10 years and clinched their 17th title in franchise history.
The pandemic made last season one of the most extraordinary in league history.
The season was halted in March and resumed on July 30 at a secluded complex in Florida, popularly known as the Orlando Bubble, where teams lived and practiced virtually in isolation until the end of the season.
8 teams to play games with fans
Details on attendance for the new season were posted by individual teams.
Eight teams, including the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, New Orleans Pelicans, Orlando Magic, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors and Utah Jazz will allow a limited number of fans at home games amid the pandemic.
The Spurs, however, plan to allow fans on January 1.
The Hawks plan to allow a limited number of friends and family to attend their first five home games and will begin opening their doors to spectators on January 18.
Some important signings
Milwaukee Bucks
Greek superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo signed the largest contract in NBA history when he signed a five-year, $ 228.2 million supermax extension with the franchise.
The “Greek Freak” was named the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) last season, becoming the 12th player to win consecutive MVPs.
Los Angeles Clippers
Six-time All-Star Paul George signed a four-year, $ 190 million contract extension.
The deal will guarantee George up to $ 226 million over the next five years.
George, 30, averaged 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists in his first season with the Clippers.
Utah Jazz
The team signed Rudy Gobert to a contract extension after hitting a lucrative $ 205 million contract.
The 28-year-old Frenchman has played for the Jazz since 2013 and won bronze medals for France at the 2014 and 2019 FIBA World Cup tournaments.
In November, the team’s other star, Donovan Mitchell, also signed a designated maximum rookie extension with the team.
Washington Wizards
Russell Westbrook was acquired from the Houston Rockets in exchange for John Wall and a future lottery-protected first-round pick.
The 32-year-old MVP of 2017 has career averages of 23.2 points, 8.3 assists and 7.1 rebounds in 878 games with Oklahoma City and the Houston Rockets.
He was named to the All-NBA team nine times and earned the same amount of All-Star honors, and has won the All-Star Most Valuable Player award twice.
Atlanta Hawks
The team acquired free agent point guard, Serbian star Bogdan Bogdanovic.
Bogdanovic, 28, averaged 15.1 points, 3.4 assists and 3.4 rebounds for the Sacramento Kings last season.
Originally the 27th pick in the first round of the 2014 Phoenix Suns draft, he played internationally for Partizan NIS Belgrade of Serbia and Fenerbahce of Turkey before coming to the NBA.
Los Angeles Lakers
Spanish star Marc Gasol joined the Lakers on a two-year contract. Gasol, 35, averaged 7.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 44 games for the Toronto Raptors last season.
The team also signed Clippers Sixth Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell, Wesley Matthews, acquired Dennis Schröder in a trade with Oklahoma City Thunder and re-signed Markieff Morris, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
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