Seattle Supersonics

The NBA is returning to Seattle for a preseason game between the Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Clippers at Climate Pledge Arena on Oct. 3. It will be the first NBA event since the former KeyArena was gutted and reconstructed as the home of the NHL’s Seattle Kraken and WNBA’s Seattle Storm.

Ever since the Seattle SuperSonics left town in 2008, Tacoma’s Kris Brannon spent every waking moment making sure the NBA knew he wanted to “Bring ’em Back.” His message was ubiquitous across the region until Brannon — widely known as Sonics Guy — died in February from heart failure. He was 47.

The controversy continues to swirl around former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz and his possible run for president as an independent. Protestors turned out…