NBA sending Cavs to LeBron James, because of course

Never doubt the NBA’s ability to manufacture some immediate drama.

So yes, the Cavaliers will open their season Oct. 22 at Philadelphia against LeBron James and the 76ers, because apparently the league wasn’t about to let this story breathe for even a week.

Really, why would it?

James spent much of the summer being connected to Cleveland. The Cavs explored the possibility. James eventually chose Philadelphia. Everyone moved along. Well, almost everyone.

Now the NBA gets to put Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen on national television against James, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey immediately.

That’s not an accident. It’s television. Frankly, it’s smart television.

The slightly annoying part from Cleveland’s perspective is that everything involving James inevitably becomes a referendum on the Cavs. He’s 41 years old, hasn’t played for Cleveland since 2018 and somehow we’re still doing this.

But that’s LeBron. That’s Cleveland.

There will be questions about what could’ve happened had James returned. There will be cameras looking for conversations before the game. There will be comparisons between the team James chose and the team he didn’t.

Somewhere in there, an actual basketball game will be played.

The funny thing is, the Cavs don’t exactly need James to be relevant anymore. They’re coming off an Eastern Conference finals appearance and believe they’re still firmly in the championship mix. Philadelphia believes the same thing.

So, yes, it’s LeBron vs. the Cavs again, because apparently some stories never actually end.

The NBA knows better than anyone how to keep selling them.