Despite the coronavirus pandemic, they are all getting into the act in the National Basketball Association

Coronavirus pandemic is still on the scene but to the National Basketball Association, it’s business as usual.

Thursday is Thanksgiving, the season is scheduled to tip-off on Dec. 22, three days before Christmas, and to the NBA, players are not holding their collective breaths, not waiting for post-turkey day contracts or pre-XMAS deals. As of now, at least 17 teams have been signing free agents as well as resigning their own players, and a few trades.

It’s like regardless of the continued threat of COVID-19, the beat goes on for the number one professional hoops on the planet.

And with so many signings already made, alphabetical order would be the best road to take.

Atlanta Hawks picked up 6-foot-3 veteran point guard Rajon Rondo, who played last season with the NBA-champion Los Angels Lakers, signed a one-year, $15 million contract, and they followed up by adding 6-8 sharpshooter Bogdan Bogdanovic for four years that amounts to $72 million.

Brooklyn Nets resigned 6-6 shooting guard Joe Harris to a multi-year deal, and brought guard/forward Jeff Green his 12th team on a one-year signing,

Boston Celtics brought back 6-9 power forward Jayson Tatum for five years and at $195 million. And in a 2-year, $19 million signing, guard/forward Tristan Thompson was added after he played three years in Cleveland, and from 2012-2017, played in 447 straight games.

Charlotte Hornets made a big catch by taking injury-prone Gordon Hayward from the Celtics and the 6-6 shooting guard/forward reeled in a 3-year deal for $80 million.

Cleveland Cavaliers Made a deal with guardDamysah Dotson for 2 years and at $4 million.

Dallas Mavericks signed guard Wesley Ivandu as a low-key addition following his three years with Orlando, and it was for two years and $4 million.

Denver Nuggets Versatile guard/forward Paul Millsap remains after signing a one-year, $10 million contract.

Houston Rockets Got a quality big man in 6-11 Marcus Cousins, and awarded him a 5-year, $140 million contract.

New Orleans Pelicans gets guard Brandon Ingram back to provide leadership, offense and defense, and signed for a 5-year, $158 million return.

New York Knicks Signed their first round, flashy 8th pick Odi Toppin, a 6-9 Player of the Year big bundle of versatility, as well as 6-2 veteran guard Austin Rivers, who played under his head coach dad, Doc, with the Los Angeles Clippers, and as Doc Rivers is now in the same role with the Philadelphia 76ers, Rivers comes to New York on a 3-year, $300 million signing, plus the Madison Square Garden tenant also signed guard Alex Burks

Miami Heat happy to resign clutch, shot-blocking 6-7 Bam Adebayo to an upgraded 5-year contract worth $168 million, and also picked up 6-5 shooting guard Avery Bradley on a 2-year, 59 million after he played one year with the Lakers but did not report to the 2020 restart bubble at Disney World.

Other Heat news regards 6-5 veteran two-way guard Goran Dragic, whose game-one foot injury in the NBA finals against the Lakers proved damaging for the underdog Heat, and has been resigned along withMeyers Leonard, a 6-11 reserve post man. Also made a 1-year deal with forward MoeHarkness, who was in the Jimmy Butler trade, played in 62 games with the Clippers andKnicks, and is now back in Miami on a 1-year, $3.6 million signing.

Phoenix Suns Good move bringing in 6-8 outside shooting forward Jae Crowder, who was a starter and capable reserve for Miami last season, and his signing for 3 years, $30 million adds another key veteran to the roster after the recent trade for veteran point guard Chris Paul.

Philadelphia 76ers A veteran now, 7-foot Dwight Howard spent last year coming off the bench for the Lakers and sometimes being inserted into the starting lineup, has now gone cross-country on a 1-year, minimum $2.6 million signing.

Portland Trailblazers resign CarmeloAnthony, the 6-8,18-year veteran who sat out almost two seasons and  was so overjoyed to be back in the game that he informed Portland he would resign a 1-year, minimum contract after starting in all 58 games and being the spark in the surprising run to the playoffs with a 15.4 shooting average, many cutch 3-point baskets, and is now 15th on the all-time NBA scoring list with 20,446 points.

Utah Jazz happy to resign Donovan Mitchell, at 6-6 a clutch shooter with quality leadership and a standout in the playoffs, to a 5-year contract worth $145 million.

Apparently, despite the pandemic that has brought bubbles, restrictions and has greatly affected revenues, the owners are still doing whatever it takes for their respective franchises, and so the pay checks appear big, and are big as the players at least are not restricted from signing on the dotted line.

Because of travel restrictions, deciding on when and where face masks should be worn, no rush to serve and eat turkey at this time, and no annual gala Macys parade, it might not be the usual Thanksgiving that brings together friends and families, but still as a day to watch three National Football League games and maybe even discuss these NBA signings.