ISTANBUL – The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) has confirmed that 48 players have tested positive for coronavirus between Nov. 24 and 30.
"Of the 546 players tested for Covid-19 during this initial return-to-market testing phase, 48 have returned positive tests," the NBPA said in a statement on Wednesday.
"Anyone who has returned a confirmed positive... is isolated until they are cleared for leaving isolation under the rules...,” it added.
The NBPA did not disclose the names of players who tested positive.
'Rockets trade Westbrook to Wizards for John Wall'
Meanwhile, Houston Rockets agreed to trade Russell Westbrook to Washington Wizards for John Wall and a first-round pick, according to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski.
"The Wizards are sending Wall and a lottery-protected 2023 first-round NBA draft pick to the Rockets for Westbrook in a deal that both players wanted and had been simmering for weeks," he told ESPN.
Westbrook, 32, has a career average of 23.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 8.3 assists in 878 games.
Lebron James agrees to $85-B deal extension
US basketball superstar LeBron James is set to renew a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers for a USD85 million maximum contract, according to an NBA insider Wednesday.
"Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has agreed to a two-year, $85 million maximum contract extension with the franchise, CEO of Klutch Sports, Rich Paul, told @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium," Shams Charania said on Twitter.
The 35-year-old power and small forward is a four-time NBA champion and earned titles with three teams; back-to-back in 2012 and 2013 with the Miami Heat and 2016 title with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The four-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player helped the Lakers win the 2020 title.
James has played for the Western Conference franchise since 2018.
Last season he averaged 25.3 points, 10.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds.
James won two Olympic gold medals with the US national team in Beijing 2008 and London 2012. (Anadolu)
