The NBA season doesn’t start for a few months, but the release of the league schedule shows how many intriguing games there are to look forward to, following a lively offseason.
The Spurs are looking for another title. LeBron James is back in Cleveland and Kevin Love will be joining him soon. Derrick Rose is healthy.
Excluding the local teams, here are the 10 games fans should circle on their calendars:
Oct 30: Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Clippers
Two of the league’s most exciting teams meet in a rematch of last season’s second round playoff series, with Steve Ballmer taking in his first game as Clippers owner as the team moves on from the Donald Sterling era.
Oct 31: Cleveland Cavaliers at Chicago Bulls
Interesting enough as a potential preview of the Eastern Conference Finals, this game also signals the return of Derrick Rose to Chicago. After missing most of the past two seasons due to injury, the former MVP finally appears to be 100 percent again.
Nov. 12: Houston Rockets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (in Mexico City)
Last season, fans in Mexico City were deprived of the rare live NBA game — between the Spurs and Timberwolves — because of an electrical fire, but the league is back, likely bringing soon-to-be-traded No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins south of the border.
Nov. 19: Charlotte Hornets at Indiana Pacers
The Pacers are already probably regretting not retaining Lance Stephenson, now that superstar Paul George is out for the season, and the Brooklyn-bred guard’s return against the team that drafted him may only make them feel worse. Stephenson is always a wild card, and with emotion high in this meeting, anything could happen.
Nov. 26 Milwaukee Bucks at Minnesota Timberwolves
This Midwest meeting has intrigue for the first time in years, with Wiggins taking on No. 2 pick Jabari Parker.
Dec. 11: Cleveland Cavaliers at Oklahoma City Thunder
The best two players on the planet — LeBron James and Kevin Durant — duke it out. Not much more you can ask for.
Dec. 25: Cleveland Cavaliers at Miami Heat
The highlight of the Christmas showcase takes place when James returns to face the team he left, with the team he originally left. Two questions stand out in this matchup: 1) Will Heat fans be angry about James’ departure or grateful for his incredible four-year run? 2) Will Heat fans still go to games with James gone?
Jan. 21: Oklahoma City Thunder at Washington Wizards
Durant may get a hero’s welcome, with increased speculation the reigning MVP could follow James’ lead and sign with his hometown team in 2016.
Jan. 31: Cleveland Cavaliers at Minnesota Timberwolves
Kevin Love will be relentlessly booed for orchestrating a trade out of Minneapolis, while James will get a firsthand look at the No. 1 pick (Wiggins) he didn’t think was ready to help him win a championship.
March 12: Cleveland Cavaliers at San Antonio Spurs
James gets a late-season look at the Spurs, potentially a sneak peek for another NBA Finals matchup.