The Ringer NBA Show

The Los Angeles Lakers are the clear front-runners to trade for Anthony Davis, but 28 other teams could look to acquire him (1:32). With the trade deadline fast approaching, teams bifurcate into buyers and sellers (28:54). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Adrian Wojnarowski dropped a not-so-surprising Woj bomb on Monday morning, reporting that Anthony Davis will not sign a contract extension in New Orleans and has requested a trade. Will this shake up the Lakers? Does Boston have the most assets, or will another team woo the Pelicans? And is there something to the Klutch Sports conspiracy theory? Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Kevin O'Connor and Paolo Uggetti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The hype around the Toronto Raptors has died down despite their continued excellence (0:40). With the All-Star starters announced, which players will make the team as reserves? (14:05) Plus: Kevin O’Connor sits down with Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic to discuss his outstanding play this season (31:46). Hosts: Kevin O’Connor, Jonathan Tjarks, Danny Chau Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We digest the news that Victor Oladipo is out for the rest of the season by wondering whether the Pacers should push on for the playoffs or reset until he gets back (2:30). Then, we debate who has a more promising future: the Hawks or the Mavericks (27:53)? And finally, we finish with one final chat about Carmelo Anthony (39:05). Hosts: Justin Verrier, Haley O’Shaughnessy, Paolo Uggetti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The juggernaut Golden State Warriors look unstoppable as of late (4:10) and Carmelo Anthony looks to return to the court (15:00). Plus: Which players could benefit from a change of scenery at the trade deadline? (25:43) Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What would the All-Star teams look like if they were selected on the merits of creating drama (3:11)? Plus: Lonzo’s injury, Boogie back, the PG-Russ dynamic, and the Dennis Smith Jr. saga's resolution (?) (33:03). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Jason Concepcion, Haley O’Shaughnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dennis Smith Jr. is the latest high draft pick to become uncomfortable with the ball being taken out of his hands. What does that mean for him and Luka Doncic (18:00)? Then we run down our All-Star ballots for this season (28:18). To wrap up, Kevin interviews Matt Quinn from the band Mt. Joy—a lifelong Sixers fan—about his favorite Sixers-Celtics media conspiracies and the overlap between touring bands and NBA players (39:42). Hosts: Kevin O’Connor and Jonathan Tjarks Guest: Matt Quinn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We diagnose the problems that the Celtics, the Lakers, and the Grizzlies will have to address at the upcoming NBA trade deadline (1:10). Then, we call up Scott Kushner, the 'New Orleans Advocate' Pelicans beat reporter, to give us the Pelicans side of the Anthony Davis story and dish out his best DeMarcus Cousins stories (28:19). Hosts: Justin Verrier, Paolo Uggetti, Haley O’Shaughnessy Guest: Scott Kushner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The fraying Boston Celtics slide even further (0:44), James Harden continues his historic scoring streak amid the Houston Rockets’ injury plague (23:04), and trade rumors pile up as the deadline approaches (34:42). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Los Angeles Clippers host Blake Griffin for the first time since the controversial trade (3:27), the Boston Celtics falter despite their talent (15:26), the New York Knicks accelerate their tank (28:08), and rookies’ statistical comparisons encourage or discourage fans (49:32). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Joe House, Dan Devine, Zach Kram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We take a stab at clairvoyance by each trying to predict two headlines that will be written over the coming weeks (1:05). Then, we throw an outlet pass to the weekend’s best games (34:00). Hosts: Kevin O’Connor, Danny Chau, Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We award 2018-19 half-season awards for: Best Player, Most Surprising Team, Most Disappointing Team, Most Confusing Team, and League Pass Poison Teams (0:50). Then, Kings superfan Riley McAtee joins to talk about how he hopes the rest of Sacramento’s season unfolds (43:46). Hosts: Justin Verrier, Haley O’Shaughnessy, Paolo Uggetti Guest: Riley McAtee Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tom Thibodeau is out in Minnesota. So what does that mean for franchise cornerstone Karl-Anthony Towns (1:00)? Then we dive deep into how the Spurs have reinvented themselves by turning the clock forward and backward at the same time (18:25). Finally, we take stock of the upcoming “pre-agents” and what their franchises have to do to ensure they don’t walk (43:25). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Minnesota firing Tom Thibodeau after a win, who could replace him, Kawhi Leonard’s return to San Antonio, and the drama-filled Sixers. Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Shea Serrano and Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

James Harden daggered the Golden State Warriors Thursday night in overtime (1:30), and Kawhi Leonard was showered with boos while the Raptors got throttled by the Spurs (29:12). Plus, NBA prospect Bol Bol’s college season is done after just nine games (45:30). Hosts: Kevin O’Connor, Danny Chau, Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Thunder beat the Lakers (sans LeBron) Wednesday night, but are we right to be concerned about Russell Westbrook’s continued shooting woes (1:30)? Plus, Chris spills his deepest, darkest concerns about the future of the Sixers as Ben Simmons still refuses to shoot jump shots (34:30). Hosts: Justin Verrier, Chris Ryan, Paolo Uggetti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Indiana Pacers remain consistently among the Eastern Conference elite (2:59), the Denver Nuggets continue their dominant run atop the West (9:33), and James Harden’s propensity for drawing fouls fuels his scorching stretch of games (18:00). Plus, five questions for the NBA in 2019 (39:55). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We ring in the new year by giving 2019 resolutions for every team in the league — from the lowly Knicks and Hawks to the high and mighty Warriors. Hosts: Kevin O’Connor, Jonathan Tjarks, Danny Chau Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Los Angeles Lakers handily defeat the Golden State Warriors despite LeBron James's groin injury (3:25), James Harden continues getting back to MVP form as his Houston Rockets beat the Oklahoma City Thunder (24:07), and more takeaways from the Christmas Day games (36:08). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the NBA regular season nears its midpoint, we share our favorite guilty pleasures of this year thus far. Host: John Gonzalez Guest: Chris Ryan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We try to temper our hype after Luka Doncic’s 32-point explosion in a loss to the Clippers, review Chris Paul’s nagging hamstring and the Rockets’ thin roster, and discuss the weird Buddy Hield age news (2:00). Then, we each choose the rebuilding franchise we think is best set up, or most intriguing, for the long term (18:45). Finally, we throw an outlet pass to the weekend’s best games (37:45). Hosts: Kevin O’Connor, Danny Chau, Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trade season dawns on the NBA as free-agency restrictions get lifted (0:54), the James Harden–led Houston Rockets surge up the standings (21:07), and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s stellar defense keeps them rolling (33:49). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A three-team trade centered on the Washington Wizards acquiring Trevor Ariza falls through in dramatic circumstance and is reincarnated in altered form (4:21): The Phoenix Suns receive Kelly Oubre Jr. and Austin Rivers while the Memphis Grizzlies keep the status quo (30:36). Host: John Gonzalez Guest: Joe House, Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Kings are our kings and we hope the trade market might heat up soon for guys like Kevin Love and Tim Hardaway Jr.. Plus, we throw an outlet pass to the games we’re looking forward to this weekend. Hosts: Kevin O’Connor, Jonathan Tjarks, Danny Chau Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We try to sift through the noise of the Raptors’ blowout win against the Warriors (1:45) and diagnose the state of the Pelicans after Anthony Davis’s big night against the Thunder (13:33). Then, we take a look at two teams whose stocks are up and two whose are down (24:06). Hosts: Justin Verrier, Paolo Uggetti, Haley O’Shaughnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

LeBron James comments on having considered the New York Knicks as a free-agent destination (1:17), the Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks continue to overperform behind their young stars (14:50), the Boston Celtics return to excellence after a slow start (34:10), and the Los Angeles Lakers look to add Trevor Ariza to an already wing-heavy roster (43:10). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Turmoil continues for the Chicago Bulls under Jim Boylen (7:16), the three Texas teams deviate from expectations (14:12), growing pains afflict the Philadelphia 76ers’ Jimmy Butler experiment (32:12), and Buddy Hield emerges as the Sacramento Kings’ budding star (53:39). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Shea Serrano, Michael Baumann, Katie Baker Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We review some of the Houston Rockets’ biggest problems and ask whether they could be remedied with a Kevin Love trade (1:30). Then we take a look back at the lessons we learned from the 2016 draft (25:00), before throwing an outlet pass to this weekend’s games (37:18). Hosts: Kevin O’Connor, Jonathan Tjarks, Danny Chau Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We review the Lakers vs. Spurs and Thunder vs. Nets games from Tuesday night (1:30) before coming clean on our ballots for The Ringer’s Top 25 Players in the NBA Through 25 Games (31:24). Hosts: Chris Ryan, Justin Verrier, Haley O’Shaughnessy, Paolo Uggetti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Denver Nuggets have proved themselves to be elite (1:07), the Oklahoma City Thunder’s stellar defense is leading their surge (9:51), the retooled Minnesota Timberwolves start to climb up (22:06), the New Orleans Pelicans’ struggles amplify in a loss to the rolling Los Angeles Clippers (32:50), and the Los Angeles Lakers finally begin to accelerate (44:11). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

More than a quarter of the way through the regular season, what can we say about every team in the NBA? Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Jason Concepcion, Kevin O’Connor, Haley O’Shaughnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gregg Popovich’s disdain for 3-point shots (1:36), Andrew Wiggins’s future in the league (15:52), and R.J. Barrett’s less-than-stellar start at Duke (24:14). Plus, is Luka Doncic “tall James Harden” or “fat Steph Curry” (29:00)? Hosts: Kevin O’Connor, Jonathan Tjarks, Danny Chau Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kyle Korver to the Jazz (0:40), Luka Doncic owns our hearts (7:30), the Wolves are looking up without Jimmy Butler (17:30), and the Clippers might be a playoff lock (22:08). Plus, we admit the takes we misfired on before the season (35:30). Hosts: Chris Ryan, Haley O’Shaughnessy, Justin Verrier, and Paolo Uggetti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Houston Rockets’ slow start might be the new normal (0:50), the Orlando Magic are ... good? (19:40), and the young New York Knicks continue to develop (36:01). Plus, the quarter-season awards (47:03). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Somehow, the Los Angeles Clippers have climbed to the best record in the crowded Western Conference (4:02), and the Philadelphia 76ers’ Jimmy Butler experiment starts to bear fruit (21:32). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Dan Devine, Dan Pfeiffer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We open up the mailbag by answering questions on the Wizards’ dysfunction, the first-, second-, and third-year players we’re most excited about, pre-agency, the Lakers, and much more. Hosts: Kevin O’Connor, Jonathan Tjarks, Danny Chau Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

John Wall’s gargantuan contract stifles his trade value (2:27), the Sacramento Kings continue to outperform expectations in the crowded Western Conference (13:56), and the teams on a streak, winning or losing (33:19). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The devastatingly underachieving Washington Wizards look to sell, sell, sell (3:17) and the glut of talent in the Western Conference coagulates even further (31:13). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Joe House, Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jimmy Butler’s tight fit in Philadelphia (1:07), a sophomore focus in this week’s The Kids Are Alright (23:26), and a look ahead at the weekend’s best games (37:36). Hosts: Kevin O'Connor, Danny Chau, Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jimmy Butler’s debut for the Sixers didn’t go quite as smoothly as it could’ve—what does that mean for Ben Simmons (2:00)? Plus, Kevin Clark on the Magic (11:38), and a whole lot of Draymond Green and Kevin Durant melodrama (24:36). Hosts: Chris Ryan, Justin Verrier, Paolo Uggetti, Kevin Clark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Jimmy Butler trade reshapes both conferences (0:48), the Houston Rockets look to move on from their Carmelo Anthony experiment (10:06), the overachieving Los Angeles Clippers remain impressive (19:16), Caris LeVert’s injury sets back the Brooklyn Nets (26:44), and some teams’ expectations contrast with their performance (34:34). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Minnesota Timberwolves finally trade Jimmy Butler to the Philadelphia 76ers. Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Chris Ryan and Jason Concepcion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Duke’s trio of outstanding freshman surpassed our lofty expectations (1:38), the NBA’s shooting guard renaissance has caught us off guard (14:03), and we’re not quite sure if Milwaukee has what it takes to handle a tough West Coast road trip (34:37). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kyrie Irving is totally not mad online about Jamal Murray, and the Boston Celtics totally don’t have a problem with offensive distribution (1:20). Plus, could the Lakers be the best League Pass team in NBA history? (22:37). The Lakers May Be the Greatest League Pass Team in History, Justin Verrier Hosts: Chris Ryan, Justin Verrier, Haley O’Shaughnessy, Paolo Uggetti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A big night for Jamal Murray continues the Denver Nuggets’ hot streak (3:07), the torrid Toronto Raptors add another loss to the Utah Jazz’s disappointing start (14:53), precarious teams face sink-or-swim developments (32:58), and draft prospects look to shine as the college basketball season kicks off (47:55). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Los Angeles Lakers add another loss to their turbulent start to the regular season (4:07), and the league’s offensive explosion is transforming defensive schemes (27:34). Plus, examining the importance of providing context to Derrick Rose’s comeback narrative (55:04). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Juliet Litman, Justin Verrier, Haley O’Shaughnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ringer staff writer Kevin O’Connor is joined by Jonathan Tjarks and Danny Chau to discuss the unfathomably bad Houston Rockets' start (2:27) and the bright futures of the Jazz and Nuggets (20:52). Then, the trio re-ups their patented "Draft Class" segment to talk about the tantalizing NBA prospects on the Duke Blue Devils (32:56). The State of the John Wall–Bradley Beal Union, Kevin O'Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Chris Ryan is joined by Justin Verrier, Haley O’Shaughnessy, and Paolo Uggetti to establish eight unique tiers of the NBA and place all 30 teams within them. Klay on Klay: The Warriors Guard on the Hidden Art and Craft of His Game, Kevin O'Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor recount the record-breaking night from Klay Thompson (0:50), debate how the still-undefeated Bucks have achieved early-season success (30:53), and discuss their concerns for underachieving Western Conference teams (44:44). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s John Gonzalez is joined by Shea Serrano to discuss the Cleveland Cavaliers firing head coach Ty Lue (4:32) and all the drama going on in the NBA regular season through two weeks (11:30). Then, Jonathan Tjarks comes on to talk about the undefeated Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors (33:36) as well as oft-overlooked teams with intriguing narratives (37:01). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices