Club 520 Podcast: "520 in the Morning – Jeff Teague REACTS to LeBron James HOT start to 2026 + Is Victor Wembanyama TOP 5 in NBA?"

Date: January 7, 2026
Hosts: Jeff Teague, DJ Wells, Bishop, Mook
Podcast: Club 520 Podcast (iHeartPodcasts & The Volume)

Episode Overview

This lively episode of Club 520 kicks off 2026 with the crew’s unfiltered takes on recent NBA performances, trade rumors, and the state of college hoops. NBA All-Star Jeff Teague, DJ Wells, Bishop, and Mook bring their signature banter and humor to big league storylines: LeBron James’ unreal start to his 23rd season, the rise of Victor Wembanyama (“Wimby”), and debates on current top-five NBA talent. They riff on changing the game in Indiana hoops, NBA All-Star voting, breakout college and high school prospects, and the drama swirling around potential superstar trades.

Expect an energetic blend of real hoops analysis, roast sessions, and plenty of locker-room laughs—a true must-listen if you want that player’s-view on where the NBA and college ball are headed in 2026.

Key Discussion Points and Segments

1. Indiana High School Hoops: The Shot Clock Debate

[03:06–05:53]

• The crew laments the slow pace and lack of a shot clock in Indiana high school basketball.
  • Mook: "Somebody playing defense for two minutes is crazy." [03:06]
• They joke about strategy vs. player development, noting top talent could be put off by the unwatchable style.
  • Bishop: "Pop said we gotta take them off the schedule, man. I can’t watch that shit." [04:13]
  • Teague: "Doing that don’t make sense, bro." [04:50]
• Consensus: Let the kids hoop—bring in a shot clock and encourage real basketball.

2. LeBron James’ Historic 2026 Start

[06:13–08:09]

• Recap: LeBron drops 38 & 8 in another win at age 41—still windmilling, still dominating.
  • Mook: "Mike couldn't do that at 40." [07:15]
  • Teague: "LeBron is looking at him over the rim." [07:52]
• Heated, hilarious debate: Is LeBron’s late-career production even more impressive than Jordan’s Wizards stint?
  • “Braun runs...Braun is the NBA.” – Mook [11:51]

3. Trey Murphy, Zion, and the Pelicans Trade Value

[06:13–11:17]

• Trey Murphy puts up a monster 42 points—should the Pelicans keep or trade him?
  • DJ Wells: "I think they need to keep him. They don’t need to trade him." [09:47]
• Joking trade proposals—exchanging first-round picks for Murphy, Zion, or even including Jose Alvarado.
  • "You’ll trade your first round pick for him?" —Mook
    "Yeah." —Teague [10:07–10:09]
• Slight jabs at Zion struggling with off-court rumors.
  • Teague: "Get you some regular body. Zion man." [08:52]

4. LeBron’s Influence & All-Star Game Politics

[11:26–13:00]

• Deep dive on LeBron’s outsized influence on NBA culture.
  • DJ Wells: "If Brian not in the All Star game, they might not have the All Star Game." [12:00]
• Joking theory: If LeBron ever boycotted All-Star or Christmas Day, others would follow ("he sets trends").
  • "Whatever Bron do, start doing what?" —Bishop [12:29]

5. Victor Wembanyama: Top 5 in the NBA?

[14:06–16:36]

• Analysis of Wimby’s breakout performance: 30 points in 21 minutes off the bench.
  • Bishop: "Why is he coming off the—"
  • Teague: "Coming off the injury, though..." [14:31–14:36]
• Is it time for San Antonio to unleash him with a starting role?
  • Bishop: "I need to start all 82 for my stats!" [14:36]
• The group is in awe of his height, agility, and overall unique impact.

6. Standouts & Trade Buzz Across the League

[17:00–20:20]

• Darius Garland props after a 29-point performance versus the Pacers.
  • DJ Wells: "That’s the Darius Garland we know." [18:16]
• Miami Heat’s struggles and trade watch: Is it time to move Tyler Herro for a star? Trey Young a potential fit?
  • Mook: "If you trade him (Herro) for Trey Young, you get a way more dynamic playmaker." [20:16]
• Hosts consider the Heat’s ceiling, whether eighth place is enough, and possible trade scenarios to shake up the East.

7. NBA Top 5 and All-NBA Debates

[30:05–33:42]

• Intense discussion: Should Jaylen Brown, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka, Jokic, or Anthony Edwards be on First Team All-NBA?
  • Teague: "You gotta pick somebody. I like Jason Tatum. That don't mean you sad but God damn like get out your feelings." [31:23]
  • Mook: "I think Jaylen Brown is First Team All-NBA." [31:53]
• Quick debate on how injuries and new 65-game thresholds could impact Jokic or Giannis’ eligibility.
  • "Joker might not... because of 65." —Mook [33:12]

8. More Trade Speculation: Where Does Trae Young Belong?

[37:30–44:12]

• Ongoing trade chatter around Trae Young: Would he fit with Miami, Minnesota, Dallas, or Boston?
  • DJ Wells: "I just want Trae Young to play Trae Young basketball, wherever they gonna let my boy." [44:04]
  • Consensus: Miami’s probably the best landing spot.
• Mook: "Both [Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown] basically play point guard; they bring the ball up." [43:57]
• “If you go to Brooklyn, you might go to the Wizards.” —Bishop [44:41]
• Hilarious predictions about draft karma after teams lose stars ("every time a star leaves, they get the #1 pick").

9. College & High School Hoops Standouts

[54:27–61:19]

• Impressive games from Florida’s Thomas, Kansas’ Darren Peace, Missouri’s Jason Crow, and others.
  • DJ Wells: "He had 100 points in two games combined." [59:12]
• Jason Crow’s performance spark debate about the next pipeline of NBA talent.

10. Closing Segments: “Verified Buckets”

[61:23–61:53]

• Each host picks their “verified bucket” from the night before:
  • Mook: "I’m gonna go Darius Garland, man. 29-6, man. Stay on that path, bro." [61:40]
  • Teague: "Brian. 30 piece. GOAT. Greatest of all time." [61:30]
  • DJ Wells: "I’m gonna go CJ McCollum, man. He had 27 yesterday." [61:44]
  • All agree: Trey Murphy’s 42-point night was the standout.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Mike couldn't do that at 40." —Mook [07:15]
• "LeBron is looking at him over the rim." —Teague [07:52]
• "Braun runs... Braun is the NBA." —Mook [11:51]
• "If Bron not in the All Star game, they might not have the All Star Game." —DJ Wells [12:00]
• "If you trade [Tyler Herro] for Trae Young, you get a way more dynamic playmaker." —Mook [20:16]
• "I just want Trae Young to play Trae Young basketball, wherever they gonna let my boy." —DJ Wells [44:04]
• “I think Jaylen Brown is First Team All-NBA.” —Mook [31:53]
• “We should be able to pick what player we like, bro. That don’t mean…” —Teague [31:21]
• On Victor Wembanyama: “He’s getting active, putting up a battle.” —DJ Wells [14:55]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Topic | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------------|--------------------| | Indiana High School Shot Clock Debate | 03:06–05:53 | | LeBron's 2026 Start, MJ vs. LeBron | 06:13–08:09 | | Trey Murphy, Pelicans, Zion | 06:13–11:17 | | LeBron’s NBA All-Star Influence | 11:26–13:00 | | Victor Wembanyama Top 5 | 14:06–16:36 | | Darius Garland’s Big Night | 17:00–20:20 | | Miami Heat Trade Rumors (Herro, Trae Young) | 19:03–21:11 | | NBA Top 5/All-NBA Team Debate | 30:05–33:42 | | Trae Young Trade Scenarios | 37:30–44:12 | | College/HS Standout Performances | 54:27–61:19 | | Verified Bucket Picks | 61:23–61:53 |

Tone & Atmosphere

• Raw, playful, barbershop-style banter
• Basketball insider knowledge
• Honest, unfiltered, sometimes hilarious
• Full of shout-outs to “nephews,” friends, and past teammates

Who Should Listen?

• NBA and college hoops fans wanting player-to-player, no-frills discussion
• Listeners who love inside stories, real talk, and volatile trade speculation
• Anyone tracking LeBron’s legend, college prospects, or rising stars like Wembanyama

Summary Verdict

Club 520’s “520 in the Morning” balances deep basketball insight with comedic authenticity. Jeff Teague, DJ Wells, Bishop, and Mook offer unique behind-the-scenes takes on LeBron’s late-career greatness, Wimby’s ascent, and the chess game of NBA trades and awards. The episode is a time capsule of 2026 sports culture—with a locker room’s worth of laughs and barbershop truths to match.