The Ringer NBA Show

We’re shocked by Bradley Beal’s extension (1:00), confused by Buddy Hield’s public feud with the Kings (0:00), and dismayed by Zion’s knee injury, which could derail the beginning of his rookie season (5:00). Plus: We close the NBA preseason by each sharing the four stats that interested us most over the last month (42:30). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the regular season right around the corner, we examine the rookies with the most outstanding preseason performances (1:09). Then, we discuss the career trajectory of Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Karl-Anthony Towns (35:41). Host: Justin Verrier Guest: Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

LeBron’s comments about Daryl Morey’s tweet were surprising and spurred a lot of backlash—what do we make of them (3:00)? Plus, we go over some lingering preseason headlines and then run down the list of rookie extension-eligible players and opine on whether their respective teams should offer to bring them back (18:36). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We review the stories coming out of this weekend: a minor Anthony Davis thumb injury, Kyrie Irving’s reaggravated facial fracture, the Kings’ Buddy Hield contract dilemma, and Zion Williamson’s impressive performances (2:51). Then we draft all 30 NBA teams in terms of watchability (12:16) before deciding whether an NBA news item is a good call or bad call (42:42). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Haley O’Shaughnessy, Dan Devine, Micah Peters, Isaac Lee Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Daryl Morey’s tweet now almost a week in the rearview, we talk about the NBA preseason games being played in China and assess how this story line might continue to unfold (9:30). Then, we share some more takeaways from preseason thus far, including the Rockets looking like the best team in the NBA and Zion seemingly dominating the NBA like he’s dominated his past competition (21:28). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Let’s overreact to preseason basketball! Ben Simmons shoots (and makes) a 3-pointer (7:30), the Oklahoma City Thunder flashes double–Ewing Theory potential (13:07), and the baby Pelicans might grow up quicker than anyone expects (22:59). Host: Chris Ryan Guest: Justin Verrier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We discuss Adam Silver’s press conference from Tuesday morning following up on the NBA’s statement regarding Daryl Morey’s Hong Kong tweet (1:10). Then, we share our top five biggest takeaways of the early preseason, including Anthony Davis’s dominance and the new look Pelicans (31:51). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey caused international ripples on Friday night after sending a since-deleted tweet in support of protesters in Hong Kong. Facing fierce backlash from the Chinese government and businesses, the NBA finds itself in a delicate balance between protecting business interests and freedom of expression. Read John Gonzalez’s reporting on this story here. Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Dan Devine, Haley O’Shaughnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As training camps kick off, Chris and Justin evaluate their perception of some noteworthy teams (1:51). Then Ringer staff writer Jordan Ritter Conn comes on to talk about his new podcast, ‘Sonic Boom: How Seattle Lost Its Team’ (35:43). Hosts: Chris Ryan, Justin Verrier Guest: Jordan Ritter Conn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Basketball is (almost) back! The guys discuss the most intriguing quotes from all 30 NBA teams’ media days, on topics such as the James Harden–Russell Westbrook dynamic in Houston, the return of Kristaps Porzingis, the hype around Zion Williamson, LeBron’s late-career trajectory, and much more. Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We respond to a list of listener submissions about what they’d love to see for their team heading into the 2019-20 NBA season, including: Markelle Fultz getting solid NBA minutes, the Knicks looking competent, the Bulls becoming relevant again, and the Hawks playing at least a shred of defense. Hosts: Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The duo highlights a handful of selections from The Ringer’s 29 People and Things That Will Define the NBA in 2019-20 article (0:41), then adds a few of their own (30:14). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We play a game of ‘Is This a Thing?’ with a slew of offseason story lines, including: James Harden’s comments about how the media chooses the MVP, the Orlando Magic’s locked-in roster, the outlook for Team USA in the 2020 Olympics, Isaiah Thomas’s injury, and Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram’s potential as a young duo. Hosts: Justin Verrier and Danny Chau Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The guys discuss Spain’s victory over Argentina in the 2019 FIBA World Cup finals (0:45) before comparing their respective lists of “island” players (12:00). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We gather for an emergency reaction to Team USA losing in international tournament play for the first time in 58 games. What comes next for USA basketball: Will they have to go young with Zion Williamson and Trae Young, or will veteran stars like LeBron James, James Harden, Anthony Davis, and more reenter the fold? Hosts: Justin Verrier and Dan Devine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NBA All-Star Nikola Jokic and Serbia were upset by a scrappy Argentina team at the FIBA World Cup (3:00). Plus: We go through the Kevin Durant Wall Street Journal article (8:57) and share the ideal Big 3 players for every Western Conference team (34:52). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We do a little game of "predict the headlines" ahead of the 2019 NBA season: When will Anthony Davis start to get unhappy in L.A.? When will Ben Simmons’s jump shot get called into question? When will we start to worry that Zion is out of shape? And more. Hosts: Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Team USA narrowly defeats Turkey in an unexpectedly competitive OT thriller, as FIBA World Cup action intensifies (0:48). Plus: With the 2019 Big 3 season coming to a close, the guys select a hypothetical Big 3 team for each Eastern Conference team (34:09). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the beginning of the FIBA World Cup approaches, we run down the most important NBA players competing in the tournament and speculate over what impact their participation might have on their 2019-20 NBA seasons. Hosts: Justin Verrier and Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Brooklyn Nets extends Caris LeVert for $52.5 million over three years (0:43), and the Los Angeles Lakers sign former All-Star (and former Laker) Dwight Howard (8:27). Plus: the first-ever 'Mismatch' mailbag (22:58)! Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We open up the mailbag in the dog days of August and field questions about dark-horse MVP candidates, James Harden’s usage, the 2019 Sixers, future All-Stars about to make a breakout, and more. Hosts: Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

De’Aaron Fox joins the long list of Team USA dropouts for the upcoming FIBA World Cup, so how does the current team stack up against other countries’ squads (0:45)? Plus: The 2019-20 rookie class cast some surprising votes for superlatives among their peers (22:11). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We go over the news out of Las Vegas that DeMarcus Cousins has torn his ACL—what does this mean for the rest of his career, and what will it mean for the 2019-20 Lakers (1:50)? Then, we bounce around the rest of the NBA and talk about the sale of the Nets and Team USA news (20:46). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The NBA just officially announced the 2019-20 regular-season schedule. Which matchups are we most looking forward to? Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We discuss Kevin Durant's first on-the-record interview since his Achilles tear. What is the NBA going to look like in 2020 without its potential best player (1:00)? Then we break down the present and the future of Team USA, including who should and will make it this year, and who we’re most excited to see in 2020 and beyond (31:11). Hosts: Justin Verrier and Dan Devine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The guys react to Draymond Green’s four-year contract extension with the Golden State Warriors (0:42), scheduling news for the 2019-20 season (16:24), and NBA.com’s All-Decade Teams for the 2010s (35:03). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We break down CJ McCollum’s near-max extension, and what it means for the perennially good-but-not-great Blazers (1:00). Then, we briefly run through what it’s like for a coach and franchise to find out they lost their star free agent (25:10), before talking through some potential Carmelo landing spots (31:41). Hosts: Justin Verrier and Danny Chau Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jeremy Lin bemoans the likely end of his NBA career (1:59) which begs the question: Which fringe NBA players could be valuable additions for contending teams (14:38)? Plus: Evaluating early Vegas odds for 2019-20 win totals (37:16). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We share our takeaways from the Los Angeles Clippers’ introduction of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George (2:04) before discussing Zion Williamson’s Jordan brand deal (17:25) and the future of free agency (23:50). Then, Zach Kram joins to explore the best young cores in the NBA according to the numbers (33:31). Host: Justin Verrier Guests: Danny Chau, Zach Kram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The guys discuss the noise coming out of the Washington Wizards (0:50), the Los Angeles Lakers’ new pairing of LeBron James and Anthony Davis (31:35), Tim Duncan joining the San Antonio Spurs coaching staff (50:26), and Zion Williamson's signing with Jordan brand (55:37). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris Paul is reportedly “parked” in Oklahoma City. So how good will the Thunder be? (2:11) Plus: a way-too-early look at the FIBA World Cup (25:50) and a way-way-way-too-early index of 2020 championship contender tiers (39:19). Host: Justin Verrier Guests: Danny Chau, Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the 2019 NBA summer league in the books, the guys discuss the bright future of the champion Memphis Grizzlies as well as other Las Vegas standouts (1:08). Then, they debate the merits of the controversial Russell Westbrook trade (22:40) and the increase in player movement in the modern NBA (49:21). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets just shook the league—again—by swapping Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul. We convene to discuss the ramifications for these two teams and the rest of the league. Hosts: Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With some distance from the initial shock value of the trade, we take a measured look at the unprecedented haul of picks that the Thunder received from the Clippers in exchange for Paul George (2:00). Then we try to find the ideal partner for Russell Westbrook at this stage of his career and consider which teams can make those partnerships happen (26:00). Finally, Tjarks shares his three biggest observations from NBA summer league in Las Vegas (47:30). Hosts: Justin Verrier and Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Live from Las Vegas at NBA summer league, the guys discuss seven topics they're most interested in from the offseason so far. Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Now that Kawhi and Paul George have joined forces, what is the market for Russell Westbrook (0:57)? Then we discuss Kawhi Leonard’s savvy moves as a behind-the-scenes general manager, and the Clippers’ potential next season (18:10). Plus, a check in on the Lakers’ new roster (34:20). Hosts: Chris Ryan, Kevin O'Connor, Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Emergency pod! The Los Angeles Clippers win the Kawhi Leonard sweepstakes and acquire Paul George from the Oklahoma City Thunder. Hosts: Chris Ryan, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Does anyone actually know anything about Kawhi Leonard’s impending decision (0:40)? Plus: Now that we’ve had a few days to think about the new signings, were our initial reactions correct (15:21)? Hosts: Chris Ryan, Justin Verrier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kawhi Leonard seems destined to wind up with the Los Angeles Lakers, but whatever he decides to do will drastically shift the NBA landscape (0:36). The top Eastern Conference contenders reload for another run (16:59) while a handful of teams make some questionable signings (42:44). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Free agency is finally here! The Philadelphia 76ers sign-and-trade Jimmy Butler to the Miami Heat (1:24) and the New York Knicks strike out while the crosstown Brooklyn Nets sign two megastars (23:00). Plus: Where will Kawhi Leonard end up? Could the reloaded Utah Jazz be real contenders? What in the world are the Charlotte Hornets doing? And much, much more (39:26). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Chris Ryan, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer NBA crew gives instant reactions to the first wave of free-agency signings. Watch on The Ringer’s YouTube channel. Host: John Gonzalez Guest: Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ahead of the start of free agency on Sunday, we go over some of the emerging suitors for the top free agents and speculate about the order of operations that could determine which guys pair up on teams. Will Kawhi Leonard end up in a Lakers jersey? Will Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant pair up in Brooklyn? Will the Knicks strike out? And more. Hosts: Kevin O’Connor and Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Houston Rockets are doing what they can to insert themselves into the sweepstakes for free agent Jimmy Butler—can the Sixers convince Butler to stay in Philadelphia? Plus, after a new Kevin Arnovitz report about league schedule changes, we re-enter into past discussions about whether the NBA needs to be proactive in changing their schedule format and adding a midseason or a play-in tournament. Hosts: Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The results from the NBA awards were largely unsurprising (0:50), but free agency may have some surprises in store (27:48). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the start of free agency right around the corner, everyone is wondering where some of the league’s biggest stars will end up (3:55). Plus: Draft additions make a handful of young teams (hint: one of the teams has Zion Williamson on it) instantly exciting to watch (34:06). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Dan Devine, Danny Chau Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We break down the teams with the biggest draft hauls from Thursday night: the Pelicans, Hawks, and Grizzlies—who all seem to have gotten the exact guys they wanted in Zion Williamson, DeAndre Hunter, and Ja Morant, respectively. Then, we speed through recapping the rest of the lottery picks, including the biggest surprise in Cam Johnson going 11th and the awkward fit between Darius Garland and Collin Sexton in Cleveland. Hosts: Kevin O’Connor, Danny Chau, Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Jazz are putting their chips in the center of the table, trading for an expensive, sure-handed star in Mike Conley—will it pay off in a wide-open Western Conference (1:00)? Plus, we break down all the reporting, theories, and future fallout in Houston after an explosive report of discord between James Harden and Chris Paul came out earlier this week. Should the Rockets do what they can to get rid of Chris Paul and his huge contract, or should they press the big red button and trade James Harden (22:37)? Hosts: Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kawhi Leonard led the Toronto Raptors to the first championship in franchise history, but will he re-sign with them (1:46)? The Anthony Davis trade shifts the landscape of the offseason, including raising questions about the fate of the no. 4 pick in the upcoming draft (10:38). Plus: Verno’s annual list of draft picks who will not fail (34:41). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The blockbuster Anthony Davis trade kicks off a sure-to-be-dramatic offseason (3:57) as the now-imminent NBA draft shifts into focus (46:56). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Joe House, Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers and Pelicans wasted no time in kicking off a game of offseason musical chairs in the NBA. What does Davis in L.A. this early in the offseason mean for the rest of 2019 free agency? Plus, does this make the Lakers title favorites, or do they have a lot more work to do? Hosts: Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices