The Ringer NBA Show

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

In a thrilling Game 6 of the NBA Finals, the Toronto Raptors defeat the Golden State Warriors to win their first championship in franchise history. Host: John Gonzalez Guest: Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We briefly preview what the Warriors have to do to make up for the loss of Kevin Durant for the remainder of the Finals (more Boogie?) (1:30). Then, we run through each big-market team with cap space and wonder whether KD’s injury has dramatically affected their offseason plans (31:32). Hosts: Chris Ryan, Justin Verrier, and Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Game 5 of the NBA Finals was headlined by Kevin Durant’s league-shaking Achilles injury and punctuated by an unusual number of bizarre moments (4:39). Plus: Teams around the league prepare for movement in the fast-approaching NBA draft (41:33), and the Memphis Grizzlies hire Taylor Jenkins as their new head coach (56:26). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin Durant suffers an Achilles injury in his first game back, but the Golden State Warriors manage to pull out a win against the Toronto Raptors in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Host: John Gonzalez Guest: Chris Ryan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Toronto Raptors push ahead to a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals after defeating the Golden State Warriors in dominant fashion. Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Dan Devine, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We review Steph Curry’s hero ball Game 3 of the NBA Finals—an interesting reversal of some past Golden State games against LeBron (1:32). Then, we pivot to talking about the teams that have multiple first-round picks in the upcoming NBA draft, and what the best plan of action is to capitalize on those picks (16:53). Hosts: Danny Chau and Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A well-rounded Game 3 performance by the Toronto Raptors wins them back home-court advantage from the shorthanded Golden State Warriors despite a transcendent performance from Stephen Curry. Host: John Gonzalez Guest: Dan Devine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We briefly survey the NBA Finals as it stands, tied 1-1 (2:00), before diving into swirling rumors about Kyrie Irving to the Nets or Lakers, Anthony Davis to anyone who will open their wallet, D’Angelo Russell to a mid-level franchise, and more (34:00). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The undermanned Golden State Warriors managed to take Game 2 from the Raptors in Toronto; as the series shifts to Oakland, will they be able to replicate that success (0:51)? Plus: With the draft approaching in two weeks’ time, which sleepers could rise above the fray (38:54)? Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Golden State Warriors win Game 2 of the Finals in impressive fashion, overcoming various injuries and ailments to their stars by locking up the Toronto Raptors with stellar defense. Host: John Gonzalez Guest: Dan Devine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We briefly go over Thursday night’s NBA Finals Game 1 and look forward to what adjustments the Warriors can make in the face of a 1-0 deficit (1:46). Then, we hand out awards to the draft prospects who most closely mirror the roles that Finals participants like Pascal Siakam and Andre Iguodala are filling for their teams (15:00). Hosts: Kevin O’Connor and Danny Chau Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pascal Siakam dominates Game 1 of the Finals, leading the Toronto Raptors to a solid victory over the Kevin Durant–less Golden State Warriors despite a poor shooting night from Kawhi Leonard. Host: John Gonzalez Guest: Dan Devine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We sit down ahead of the NBA Finals to go through some of the news that has broken between the end of the Eastern Conference Finals and now. First, do the Rockets need to hit the reset button on their core if they want to win the title (2:45)? Then, the deluge of Lakers turmoil seems to be never ending, but will it ultimately trickle off if they go star-hunting this offseason (22:00)? Finally, we share our observations on NBA free agency and rumblings about a midseason tournament that have us thinking about the ways that basketball is starting to mirror soccer (37:40). Hosts: Justin Verrier and Chris Ryan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Toronto Raptors advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. How will they match up against the defending champs Golden State Warriors (0:44)? Plus: How will the outcome of this series affect free agency, if at all (40:18)? Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the NBA Finals still on hold, we convene our NBA draft experts to open up the mailbag and answer some of your pressing questions about the top prospects as we approach the 2019 NBA draft. From Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett to Ty Jerome and Matisse Thybulle, we break down our thoughts on top prospects and role players who might be available for late-round steals. Hosts: Kevin O’Connor, Jonathan Tjarks, Danny Chau Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kawhi Leonard had one of the best games of his career en route to a surprising Game 5 road win over one of the best teams in the NBA. Will Mike Budenholzer have to shorten his rotation in Game 6 to avoid getting eliminated (1:30)? Plus, we react to the All-NBA team announcements and the potential salary cap implications for some of the league’s biggest stars in Kemba Walker, Damian Lillard, and Klay Thompson (33:00). Hosts: Justin Verrier and Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Despite Kawhi Leonard’s lingering quadricep injury, his stellar defense and the Toronto Raptors’ overall adjustments prove successful against the Milwaukee Bucks for the second game in a row as they tie the series (1:25). Plus: Rumors say Kevin Durant could sign with the Los Angeles Clippers in the offseason (23:41) while the New Orleans Pelicans navigate the happy dilemma of pairing Anthony Davis and Zion Williamson (31:33). Hosts: Kevin O’Connor, Danny Chau Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Golden State Warriors are headed to their fifth straight NBA Finals after sweeping the Portland Trail Blazers despite Kevin Durant out with an injury (0:48). Plus: belated reactions to the NBA draft lottery (43:09) and critical reactions to Magic Johnson’s recent comments on the Los Angeles Lakers (51:18). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors take advantage of an off-night from Giannis Antetokounmpo to edge out a double-OT win against the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 3 (3:12), while the Portland Trail Blazers fall behind 3-0 to the still-dominant Golden State Warriors (28:10). Plus: The Duffel Bag Boys weigh in on the NBA draft lottery order (38:34). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Mark Titus, Tate Frazier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We give immediate reactions to the Warriors' hot third-quarter comeback against the Blazers, behind strong performances from Steph Curry on offense and Andre Iguodala on defense (1:00). Then, we briefly preview Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals, where Toronto will look to make adjustments against the heavily favored Bucks (22:52). Hosts: John Gonzalez and Haley O’Shaughnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We recap a hard-nosed win for the Milwaukee Bucks over the Toronto Raptors in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals—one that featured a solid performance from Giannis and an outstanding one from his supporting cast (2:08). Then we bounce around to some other news from the league, including Blazers players’ comments about Terry Stotts’s pick-and-roll defense, the Pelicans' chance to draft Zion Williamson, and the NBA coaching carousel (21:09). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Now that we know the order of the NBA draft, we go over which teams might be the best fit for the non-Zion top talent: R.J. Barrett, Ja Morant, Darius Garland, Cam Reddish, and more (1:05). Then, we recap Game 1 of the Western Conference finals, in which Steph Curry was dominant and the Warriors of old routed the Trail Blazers (43:34). Finally, we wonder whether Toronto has run into LeBron 2.0 in Giannis Antetokounmpo (47:45). Hosts: Danny Chau, Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The New Orleans Pelicans win the 2019 NBA draft lottery, presumably landing superstar prospect Zion Williamson (5:26), while multiple teams find themselves in more or less fortunate draft positions than expected (16:20). Plus: Kevin O’Connor reports his takeaways from the lottery drawing in Chicago (39:07). Hosts: Chris Ryan, Justin Verrier Guests: Jason Concepcion, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The shorthanded Portland Trail Blazers advance to the Western Conference finals in impressive fashion, but how far will they be able to push reigning champs Golden State Warriors (0:48)? With the Toronto Raptors now facing the well-rested Milwaukee Bucks, who will emerge from a massive Eastern Conference finals showdown (22:38)? Plus: Recent head coach hirings elicit a wide range of reactions, and many fan bases’ hopes hinge on the results of the NBA draft lottery (48:30). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kawhi Leonard’s buzzer-beating fadeaway lifts the Toronto Raptors over the Philadelphia 76ers to move on to the conference finals (3:12), while CJ McCollum’s big night helps the Portland Trail Blazers defeat the Denver Nuggets to secure their first conference finals berth in 19 years (32:29). Host: John Gonzalez Guest: Dan Devine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We give our immediate reactions to a statement game from Ben Simmons, who helped the Sixers force a Game 7 in Toronto on Sunday (0:50). Then, we eulogize the Celtics and wonder if the Bucks are flying under the radar as the best team in the league, before wondering how KD's injury will affect the Rockets-Warriors series (16:00). Finally, we recap a tumultuous week in Lakerland, as they lost out on their desired coach in Ty Lue, only to land on Lionel Hollins and Jason Kidd as potential backup options (33:00). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We go over what appears to be the worst possible timeline for the Sixers—backs against the wall in the present, uncertain of how to build their Frankenstein roster in the future (1:15). Then, we run down the larger takeaways from the other series: Boston’s been overwhelmed by Milwaukee, Paul Millsap has found his old form, and the Rockets’ swingmen have been critical (24:50). Finally, we finish with some draft talk about what lessons we can learn from these playoffs, including (for the hundredth time) that teams shouldn’t take inexperienced rim-running centers over skilled combo guards (44:10). Hosts: Danny Chau and Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two of our resident Philadelphia 76ers fans commiserate over the Sixers’ embarrassing loss to the Toronto Raptors in Game 5. Hosts: John Gonzalez, Michael Baumann Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Giannis Antetokounmpo takes advantage of the imploding Boston Celtics to propel the Milwaukee Bucks to a 3-1 series lead (0:34) while the Houston Rockets hold off a late run from the Golden State Warriors to tie the series (25:04). Plus: The Portland Trail Blazers need to reactivate Dame Time to defeat the Denver Nuggets (42:19), and the Philadelphia 76ers need to address their inconsistent play to compete against Kawhi Leonard’s historically great playoff stretch for the Toronto Raptors (51:10). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bill Simmons is joined by Joe House to give immediate reactions to a gritty, frantic win for the Houston Rockets over the two-time reigning champion Golden State Warriors to even the series at 2-2 (1:10). Then, Simmons and House discuss the Milwaukee Bucks’ sound win over the Boston Celtics to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series, which featured a dominant, MVP-like performance from Giannis Antetokounmpo (21:10). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Joe House Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An impressive scoring outburst from Jamal Murray helps the Denver Nuggets edge out the Portland Trail Blazers (3:45) while yet another dominant performance from Kawhi Leonard lifts the Toronto Raptors over a struggling Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers (16:28). A bizarre end-of-game sequence of events, including a missed Stephen Curry dunk, ensures the Houston Rockets an overtime victory over the Golden State Warriors (30:28) while the Milwaukee Bucks take back home-court advantage from the Boston Celtics by revving up their offense (42:50). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Tate Frazier, Danny Chau Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We give our instant reactions to the Sixers’ convincing Game 3 win over the Raptors (1:30), before bouncing around to the other Round 2 series (21:00). Then, we go over some of the offseason news that has gotten swallowed by the playoff churn, including Monty Williams’s and Ty Lue’s impending coaching hires and Gersson Rosas’s new gig as GM of the Timberwolves (35:43). Hosts: Justin Verrier and Chris Ryan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We check in with each of the four playoff series, including what the Celtics need from Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward, whether Brett Brown’s adjustments in the Sixers-Raptors series are here to stay, and whether Nikola Jokic has finally made the choice to be a dominant scorer for the rest of the playoffs (1:30). Then we give a quick preview of the big men in the upcoming NBA draft, theorizing about what roles they might fill and whether it’s worth using a high draft pick on any of them (43:23). Hosts: Kevin O’Connor, Jonathan Tjarks, Danny Chau Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Game 2 of the most anticipated playoff series thus far, the Golden State Warriors hold off a bloody-eyed James Harden and the Houston Rockets to defend home-court advantage with a 2-0 lead. Host: John Gonzalez Guest: Haley O’Shaughnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Philadelphia 76ers defeat the juggernaut Toronto Raptors in Game 2, tempering concerns of a one-sided series (0:47), while Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets present a big-man problem for the Portland Trail Blazers (14:36). The Milwaukee Bucks need to address how to combat the Boston Celtics’ suffocating defense (28:38), while Warriors-Rockets remains derailed by officiating controversies (45:16). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The first game of the highly anticipated second-round matchup between the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets ended with a conspicuous lack of foul calls (4:04), while in the East, the Boston Celtics proved their formidability with a resounding win against the Milwaukee Bucks (16:02). Plus: the Philadelphia 76ers struggled to contain—let alone stop—Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors (24:50), and the San Antonio Spurs got knocked out of the first round in a bizarre sequence at the end of Game 7 versus the Denver Nuggets (37:33). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Dan Devine, Shea Serrano Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We wonder whether the Warriors can close the Clippers in Game 6 in L.A., or whether we’re starting to see signs that they’re unraveling (4:00). Then, we touch on the other Western Conference series that’s still going—Spurs vs. Nuggets—and what a potential loss could mean for Michael Malone, Nikola Jokic, and the rest of the Nuggets franchise (15:30). Finally, we close with—predictably—some Russell Westbrook talk and a preview of the upcoming round of the playoffs (28:00). Hosts: Justin Verrier, Chris Ryan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices