Podcast Summary: Knicks Win a Trophy & NBA Expansion Soon?? + New NBA Cup Location?

Podcast: Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective
Date: December 17, 2025
Host: Brian Windhorst (B), with Tim Bontemps (C) and Tim MacMahon (D)
Producer/Jackson (E)

Overview

This episode recaps the New York Knicks’ victory in the NBA Cup final, analyzes the implications of the win (for both the Knicks and the up-and-coming Spurs), unpacks standout player performances, and delivers insider updates from Adam Silver’s press conference on the Cup’s future, NBA expansion, and potential location changes. The crew also provides perspective on Victor Wembanyama’s development, discusses emerging NBA talent, and debates league business news, including expansion timelines and “Terry Rozier rule” complications.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Knicks Are NBA Cup Champions: Game Analysis (00:34–13:19)

• Historic Win: Knicks win their first significant trophy in decades, defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Las Vegas.
• Final Game Flow:
  • Spurs led through three quarters; Knicks dominated the fourth (outscoring Spurs 35–19).
  • Mitchell Robinson’s rebounding, including 6 offensive boards in the fourth, was crucial.
  • Depth and resilience were key, with bench players like Tyler Kolek delivering big minutes.

Quotes & Moments:

• “There certainly will only be one new banner raised for a championship at the Garden…that’s for the NBA Cup.” – Tim Bontemps [01:10]
• “Mitchell Robinson had six offensive rebounds in the fourth quarter alone.” – Brian Windhorst [05:34]
• “Fourth quarter domination. Forget the score. Rebounds were 23 to 6.” – Tim MacMahon [05:04]

Standout Knicks Performances

• Jalen Brunson: NBA Cup Finals MVP
  Stats: 25 points, 8 assists, +15, clutch baskets and leadership in the fourth.
• Mitchell Robinson: 10 offensive rebounds (15 total in 18 mins)
• OG Anunoby: 28 points, 5 threes, high efficiency.
• Jordan Clarkson: Key threes late in the game.
• Tyler Kolek: Backup PG unexpectedly shines (+45 in 3 knockout games), vital minutes with McBride out.

Quotes:

• “Jalen Brunson got the MVP trophy…immediately said ‘we won this game because of Tyler Kolek, Mitchell Robinson, Jordan Clarkson and OG Anunoby.’” – Tim Bontemps [08:37]
• “Knicks bench…has been a key thing…just a tremendous lift that [Kolek] gave him in this, in this little knockout stage.” – Brian Windhorst [07:49]

Atmosphere & Meaning

• Knicks fans showed out in Vegas, celebrating a “championship” for a franchise starved for hardware.
• “This was the purpose of the cup…to give teams something else to play for.” – Brian Windhorst [11:23]

2. Spurs, Victor Wembanyama & Young Team Development (14:59–25:48)

• Wembanyama’s Play: Great in semifinals (plus/minus dominance), less impactful in Cup final’s fourth quarter (scoreless, 0 rebounds, appeared less aggressive).
  • Circumstances noted: dealing with personal loss (tearing up in postgame presser) [19:28], and limited minutes due to calf recovery.
• Learning Experience: Spurs’ young core “got bloodied”—the Cup served as a critical developmental milestone.
• Next-Gen Spurs: Dylan Harper, Stefan Castle, and the team’s imposing physicality drew praise.

Quotes:

• “Victor Wembanyama's temperament over that last eight minutes was not what you want to see for a player of his level.” – Brian Windhorst [16:09]
• “If there’s going to be a takeaway from this game: Victor can’t have a non-impactful fourth quarter in a game that’s decided with stakes.” – Brian Windhorst [16:56]
• “The whole NBA cup was kind of the Spurs announcing to the league, we’re on our way.” – Tim MacMahon [22:13]

Competitive Lessons

• Growth Parallels: Compared to past Cup-driven breakouts (Pacers, Thunder, Rockets).
• “No team in basically the history of the league’s ever won it without having their noses bloodied first.” – Tim Bontemps [23:56]

3. Future of the NBA Cup: Location Changes? (27:42–34:39)

• Adam Silver Insights: The NBA is exploring moving the Cup final from Las Vegas to "storied college arenas," e.g., Cameron Indoor Stadium (Duke), Hinkle Fieldhouse, Fog Allen, etc.
• Logistics:
  • Smaller venues present intimacy, tradition, but also technical and seating challenges.
  • European/overseas options unlikely due to schedule/travel constraints.

Quotes:

• “We’re talking with Amazon prime about…some unique locations for the final game…some storied college arenas…” – Tim Bontemps recapping Adam Silver [28:17]
• “If you win the championship, you host the championship game the next year. How about that?” – Tim MacMahon [31:52]

4. NBA Expansion: The Most Explicit Update Yet (34:42–41:05)

• Silver on Expansion: For the first time, Adam Silver gives an actual timeline—NBA will “make a determination” on expansion in 2026.
  • Seattle and Vegas heavily implied as front-runners.
• Economic Calculus:
  • Owners stand to gain large checks ($4B+ per new team), with league-wide windfall outweighing marginal TV revenue dilution.
• Relocation Question:
  • Silver presents expansion and relocation as “separate topics”; relocation candidates not actively considered.

Quotes:

• “Sometime in 2026, we will make a determination. This is easily the most definitive and the first time there’s ever been any kind of timeline put on expansion.” – Tim Bontemps [36:57]
• “If you’re a fan in Seattle or Vegas, that answer sounded like a guy who’s getting ready for expansion.” – Tim Bontemps [37:53]
• “Adam doesn’t throw out dates like that casually.” – Brian Windhorst [37:34]

5. “Terry Rozier Rule” / Miami Heat Trade Conundrum (41:05–45:27)

• Situation: Because of a lingering investigation, Terry Rozier’s status affected a Heat trade and draft pick outcome.
• Silver’s Stance:
  • Called it “unprecedented,” offered a lawyerly answer, and suggested the NBA is working on a remedy—likely will allow the Heat to trade Rozier, but no draft pick compensation expected.
• Future Rule Change?:
  • Possibility of mandating disclosure of pending investigations in future trades.

Quotes:

• “He called it an unprecedented situation…I thought this was a very lawyerly way to not say a whole lot.” – Tim Bontemps [42:40]
• “I don’t think there’s any chance [the Heat are] getting the pick back.” – Brian Windhorst [44:39]

6. Emerging Talent: Cooper Flagg’s Breakout & Mavericks Future (45:27–53:37)

• Cooper Flagg’s 42-point Performance:
  • Historic for an 18-year-old; dominant at multiple levels (except threes—needs work).
  • Notable left-hand ability; competitiveness and maturity reminiscent of Kevin Garnett.
• Dallas Mavericks:
  • Fortunes dramatically altered by lottery luck, now building around a "prototypical 6’9 wing".
  • “Unfathomable to think about where Dallas would be if they hadn’t won the lottery." – Brian Windhorst [53:32]

Quotes:

• “He’s a hate losing guy… storms off the golf course if his mom beats him… the way this kid competes is just special.” – Tim MacMahon [52:09]
• “It just remains unbelievable, the sequence of events in Dallas and the fact that he’s sitting there.” – Tim Bontemps [53:28]

7. Jokic-Murray vs. Rockets: Officiating Controversy & Final Thoughts (53:37–56:40)

• Rockets-Nuggets Game:
  • Ime Udoka’s criticism of officiating (“most poorly officiated game…two officials shouldn’t have been out there, the other was starstruck”) likely to result in a fine.
• Young Contenders in the West:
  • Rockets and Thunder praised for being legitimate playoff threats, but Spurs' Cup performance highlights their ascendance.

Quotes:

• “[Udoka said] two officials shouldn’t have been out there. And the other one was starstruck.” – Tim Bontemps [54:07]
• "For as frustrated as the Rockets were at the officiating, they were very frustrated. ... like, we’re talking about the Spurs for a young team like that, those guys haven’t won a playoff series yet. ... Like going toe to toe with Jokic is really hard." – Tim Bontemps [55:41]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “We won this game because of Tyler Kolek, Mitchell Robinson, Jordan Clarkson, and OG Anunoby.” – Jalen Brunson (relayed by Bontemps) [08:37]
• “No team in basically the history of the league's ever won it without having their noses bloodied first.” – Tim Bontemps [23:56]
• “Adam doesn’t throw out dates like that casually.” – Brian Windhorst [37:34]
• “He’s a hate losing guy… The way this kid competes is just special.” – Tim MacMahon, on Cooper Flagg [52:09]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:34–13:19: Knicks win NBA Cup; breakdown of final, player performances
• 14:59–25:48: Spurs’ Cup run and Wembanyama’s progress
• 27:42–34:39: Adam Silver’s presser—NBA Cup location changes, logistics
• 34:42–41:05: NBA expansion timeline and economics
• 41:05–45:27: "Terry Rozier Rule" and Miami Heat’s trade grievance
• 45:27–53:37: Cooper Flagg’s Mavericks breakout and future
• 53:37–56:40: Jokic/Murray vs. Rockets, officiating fallout, Western Conference race

Conclusion

This episode captures a watershed moment for the Knicks and a major developmental leap for the young Spurs while expertly weaving in business-side updates that portend a near-future NBA with new teams in Seattle and Vegas, and creative twists to the NBA Cup. The hosts combine sharp basketball analysis, inside reporting, and good-natured banter in line with their seasoned, plugged-in tone.

For listeners who missed the episode:

• The Knicks’ Cup win is portrayed as more than a novelty but a genuine organizational high.
• Spurs fans should be excited—the future is coming fast.
• Major NBA changes are brewing, with expansion closer than ever and the Cup likely moving to a storied NCAA gym near you.
• Cooper Flagg’s meteoric rise is a must-follow development.
• Off-the-court NBA news may soon reshape franchise landscapes coast-to-coast.