After one of the most thrilling NBA Finals finishes in league history, the Cleveland Cavaliers will have to find a way to get themselves up for an 82-game regular season before they can earn a chance to defend their title.
After back-to-back seasons that ended in mid-June and a roster that is expected to have eight players aged 30 or older, Cavs coach Tyronn Lue will be tasked with carving out rest for many of his guys in preparation for the playoffs.
With no way to know what nights will feature LeBron James & Co. on the court instead of in street clothes this early, here's a look at 10 of the more intriguing matchups -- at least on paper -- the Cavs have on the 2016-17 schedule that was released Thursday:
1. Oct. 25 vs. New York Knicks
The Cavs will host Carmelo Anthony, Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and the Knicks on a night the city of Cleveland has been waiting 52 years for: ring night celebrating the first pro sports championship for the city in more than half a century. As for those rings, a team source described a prototype version of the jewelry to ESPN.com as "ridiculous."
2. Dec. 2 at Chicago Bulls
James loves playing at the United Center because of the Michael Jordan connection. This night, he'll not only be chasing Jordan's ghost, he'll be matching up with one of his closest friends in the league, Dwyane Wade, suiting up for his hometown Bulls after leaving Miami in the offseason.
3. Dec. 25 vs. Golden State Warriors
Not only is this a rematch with the team Cleveland split 1-1 with the last two Finals, not only is this the top TV attraction out of the league's slate of Christmas Day games, but it is the first time the Cavs get a crack at the Warriors with Kevin Durant on the squad. As good as it gets.
4. Jan. 16 at Golden State Warriors
Just like last season, the Cavs won't have to wait long for their second regular-season game against the Warriors and head to Oracle a couple of weeks after their Christmas showdown. The question is, will the visitor's locker room still smell like champagne?
5. Jan. 21 vs. San Antonio Spurs
The Cavs and Spurs have had their share of quality games in the past two seasons, but this one is sure to look a little different since Tim Duncan retired. Still, the James-Kawhi Leonard matchup is always one to watch.
6. Jan. 29 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Russell Westbrook on a warpath. All you need to know.
7. Feb. 8 at Indiana Pacers
Cleveland has struggled mightily in Indiana over the past five seasons and the revamped Pacers, with Jeff Teague, Al Jefferson and Thaddeus Young in tow, will give fans a glimpse of just how big a threat Paul George's team could be for the Cavs come playoff time.
8. March 18 at Los Angeles Clippers
The last time Kyrie Irving came off a summer with USA Basketball, he established his place as one of the most dynamic players in the game with both a 55- and a 57-point performance that season. This is the type of stage Irving relishes: in L.A. on a Saturday night against a worthy opponent like Chris Paul.
9. April 5 at Boston Celtics
Just how good might the Celtics look with Al Horford playing under Brad Stevens for a full season with Marcus Smart and Isiah Thomas maturing around him? Will be a good test for the Cavs at TD Garden.
10. April 12 vs. Toronto Raptors
The regular-season finale, a traditional time to rest the starters in advance of the postseason, could have significance in seeding this time around as the Cavs face off against the team that took them to six games in the Eastern Conference finals a year ago.
