Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective

Episode: "LaMelo Ball Open To Trade? Lakers Shakeup + 2025-26 Small Sample-Size Theater"
Date: November 21, 2025
Host: Brian Windhorst (A), with Kevin Pelton (B)

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the early NBA season with the return of "Small Sample Size Theater," analyzing trends and developments just 15-20 games into the 2025-26 season. Windhorst and Pelton break down surprising news, including LaMelo Ball’s openness to a trade, the Lakers' front office shakeup, and major statistical trends. In true “Hoop Collective” fashion, the conversation flows from insightful analytics to league gossip, with a healthy dose of skepticism and humor.

Key Topics & Discussion Breakdown

1. LaMelo Ball Open to Trade from Charlotte Hornets

Timestamps: 01:13–12:07

News Recap:

• Yahoo reports LaMelo Ball is “open” to a trade after another bad Hornets loss.
• LaMelo’s production & health have declined — his shooting and scoring at career lows, recurring ankle issues, and inconsistent defense.

Host Analysis:

• Windhorst:
  • Sees the report as credible and not surprising, suggesting Hornets may not be upset since they’re looking toward a new core.
  • “If LaMelo wants to take it on, I think they are probably not upset, unfortunately.” (03:20)
  • Notes limited trade market due to LaMelo’s max contract, injury history, and “bad habits.”
• Pelton:
  • Draws parallel to past star-for-star trades: “Why not Ja Morant for LaMelo Ball? ... at least have new problems.” (04:51)
  • Points out LaMelo's former All-Star status at age 20 was historically elite, but trends have been negative in health, seriousness, and performance.
  • “It is like inner circle Hall of Famers almost exclusively…and has barely played 75 total since then unfortunately.” (05:30)
• Memorable Moment:
  • Windhorst: “I went from being like, hey, I think this guy is undervalued…to being totally turned off, because... I didn't see the way he was playing last year as acting serious. …You're not serious. This is not serious. This is an unserious way of approaching NBA basketball.” (09:05)
• Outlook:
  • Hornets now have new rookie talent (Brandon Miller, Con Knippel, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Seon James) and might accept a less-than-ideal return just to reset.

2. Lakers Organizational Shakeup: The Buss Family Drama

Timestamps: 12:10–19:33

News Recap:

• Lakers fire Joey & Jesse Buss, who ran scouting, after 20 years.
• They remain minority owners but were “fired” by sister Jeanie Buss, in an ownership power struggle following majority sale to Mark Walter.

Host Analysis:

• Windhorst:
  • “...only person that can fire a Buss is a Buss. This was Buss-on-Buss crime. ... She has now fired three of her five siblings.” (15:30)
  • Notes timing is odd; firing scouts mid-season is “done with venom.”
• Pelton:
  • Points out Lakers' poor drafting/extension history (last first-rounder extended: Andrew Bynum).
  • Discusses strategy/potential front office reset — possible signals Lakers plan to trade their pick.
• Memorable Quote:
  • Windhorst: “You would not fire your scouting staff even if you hated your director of scouting...in November... This is done with venom.” (19:08)

3. Small Sample Size Theater — Statistical Oddities & Trends

Timestamps: 19:33–55:27

A. The Houston Rockets’ Offense

• Rockets on an 11-1 run, #1 offense in the league, but rank dead last in three-point attempts.
• Pelton:
  • “They are shooting 42% on the threes they are taking... have added the fourth most net points on threes despite being 30th in attempts.” (21:15)
  • Likely unsustainable: “Tari Eason shooting 51% from three... not really his skill set.” (22:23)
  • High offensive rebounding—“Rockets are at the forefront” of the league’s rebound resurgence.
• Windhorst:
  • Points out Houston’s defensive transition struggles (1.4 points per possession in transition, 25th in league) due to aggressive rebounding (26:08).
• Key Insight:
  • “Offensive rebounding is... highest it's been since 2013 and the Rockets are really at the forefront.” (24:53)

B. Are the Thunder a 70+ Win Team?

• Thunder are 15-1, coming off a 68-win season—83 wins in last 99 games.
• Windhorst:
  • “Should we be talking about 73?” (30:14)
• Pelton:
  • “I don't think Oklahoma City is going to try to do it. They might do it anyway. … The big question is how motivated they'll be.” (30:57)
  • BPI projects 67 wins; puts probability at “1 in 4” for 70 wins. (34:27)
• Contextual Note:
  • Easy schedule so far; “6th hardest schedule left.”

C. East vs. West Depth

• Bon Temps' previous critique: West “not as tough.”
• Pelton:
  • West still slightly winning head-to-head (52%), but the East is deeper: “Out of the top 11 teams in the league, seven…are in the East.” (38:14)

D. Rookie of the Year Race

• Early leaders: Cooper Flagg (DAL), Khan Knippel (CHA), Vijay Edgecombe (PHI), Ace Bailey (UTA).
• Pelton:
  • Highlights Edgecombe’s hot start, Knippel’s all-around game (20 pts/g), and Bailey's strong progression.
  • “The guy who is the leading scorer among rookies is a Duke product—and it is not Cooper Flagg, it is Khan Knippel.” (41:33)
• Windhorst:
  • Jazz staff “raving” about Ace Bailey but notes his role is smaller.
  • Emphasizes “the lift Cooper [Flagg] is asked to do every night is still super high.” (43:37)

4. State of the Wizards: Tanking, But Still Regressing

Timestamps: 46:50–52:06

• Wizards have the worst record, on a 12-game losing streak, and worse net rating than last year's historically bad start.
• Pelton:
  • “They really did have a nice little run after [last trade deadline] but Saar and Keyshawn George have taken legitimate steps forward this year.” (50:31)
  • Mickail Saar's progress (18.3 ppg, 2.2 bpg, 52% FG) is the lone bright spot. (51:20)

5. Celtics’ Hot Streak and Outlook

Timestamps: 52:06–53:54

• Celtics won 4/5, climbing above .500 in a tight East.
• Pelton:
  • “Their average win has come by 17.4 points per game—second highest in the league.”
  • “They're 8th overall in point differential; it’s more the Celtics’ strength is why the East is so deep.” (52:40)
• Windhorst:
  • Wait-and-see attitude given their favorable schedule to date.

6. Closing Nuggets

Timestamps: 53:54–55:27

• Kings announce Domantas Sabonis torn meniscus, likely pivot to tanking.
• Upcoming: Annual "Friendsgiving" episode teased for next week.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On LaMelo's seriousness:
  • Windhorst: “You’re not serious. This is not serious. This is an unserious way of approaching NBA basketball.” (09:15)
• On Lakers’ family drama:
  • Windhorst: “You would not fire your scouting staff even if you hated your director of scouting...in November... This is done with venom.” (19:08)
• On Rockets’ identity shift:
  • Pelton: “The Rockets were playing everyone 6'7 and under—and now they're leading a rebounding revolution.” (24:53, paraphrased)
• On predicting Thunder’s ceiling:
  • Pelton: “I don't think Oklahoma City is going to try to do [70+ wins]. They might do it anyway.” (30:57)
• On the East’s emerging depth:
  • Pelton: “Seven of the top 11 teams are in the East. There’s not really that second tier in the West right now.” (38:14)
• On the Wizards’ futility:
  • Pelton: “They're three points in net rating worse than they were over the first 14 games last year when they were historically bad.” (48:38)

Segment Timestamps

• LaMelo Ball Trade Discussion: 01:13–12:07
• Lakers Front Office Drama: 12:10–19:33
• Rockets’ Offensive Anomaly: 19:33–29:19
• Thunder’s Historic Pace: 29:19–34:27
• East vs. West Depth Analysis: 36:10–39:28
• Rookie of the Year Race: 39:28–45:56
• Wizards’ Struggles: 46:50–52:06
• Celtics’ Resurgence: 52:06–53:54
• Kings Injury News & Outro: 53:54–end

Tone & Style

The conversation is rich in NBA context, analytical in tone, and peppered with playful banter and league insider anecdotes, making it a must-follow for dedicated NBA fans and stat-heads alike.