Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 3: Giannis Latest & Damien Woody

Date: January 29, 2026
Hosts: Alan Hahn, Don La Greca (Donnie), Peter Rosenberg (absent this hour)
Guests/Callers: Sham Charania (clip), Damian Woody, Anthony Pusick, Callers

Episode Overview

This hour of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg dives deep into trade rumors surrounding NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, particularly the New York Knicks' involvement and strategy as the NBA trade deadline looms. The show dissects potential trade packages, franchise philosophies, and the role of patience versus urgency. Later, it shifts to hockey trade possibilities (highlighting Artemi Panarin), and features former NFL player and analyst Damian Woody for a candid breakdown of Eli Manning's Hall of Fame credentials, Bill Belichick’s coaching legacy, and the state of New York football. The hosts are lively, candid, and unfiltered as usual.

Main Segments and Key Discussion Points

1. Latest on Giannis Antetokounmpo & The Knicks

[02:10–11:00]

Main Theme:
As the NBA trade deadline approaches, the hosts analyze reports that the Milwaukee Bucks are now officially taking offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo, and assess the Knicks’ strategy and leverage.

Key Points & Insights:

• Shams Charania reporting update ([03:15])

  • "The Bucks... have asked for a blue chip young player and/or a surplus of draft picks."
  • Four main suitors: Knicks, Heat, Warriors, Timberwolves
  • Potential for deal to be pushed to offseason, but Giannis might force action now

• Knicks' Positioning

  • Alan: Knicks likely prefer to wait for offseason to maximize their assets and avoid giving up too much. However, Giannis’ desire to leave Milwaukee sooner creates pressure for action now.
  • Donnie: Emphasizes patience. Playing the long game is smarter—Knicks are now desirable; no need for desperate moves that could gut the roster.
    • “I just think the Knicks are in the catbird seat. He wants to play for the Knicks. Why should the Knicks lower themselves to chase like everyone else?” [05:40]

• Risk Factors:

  • Giannis is injured and out for a month—any team trading now may not get him for the playoff push.
  • Trading significant core pieces now could harm the Knicks' chemistry and standing.
  • “If you bring in Giannis and he is hurt for the next month, what’s that going to do? Not only do you lose the pieces ... you might not have the guy you traded for for the first month.” —Donnie [06:11]

• Lessons from Past Trades ([15:41])

  • Caller Javi references the Carmelo Anthony trade: Knicks gave up too much, hurting long-term success.
  • Donnie: Knicks are no longer the “clown show;” don’t act out of fear Miami will outmaneuver you.

• Memorable Quote:

  • Alan: "The first time somebody hands me a trophy, I want it to be Adam Silver." (on Knicks president Leon Rose’s championship ambitions) [09:11]

2. Caller Reactions — Fan Anxiety and Caution

[14:14–18:18]

Summary:
Callers echo the hosts’ concerns—don’t gut the team for a superstar. Reference to “Hollywood” sports narratives versus real team-building; positive team culture is worth protecting.

• Javi (Queens): “We already had an example of this when they traded for Melo... and ended up not being as good as it could have been. You don’t settle... bring on Giannis for me. Just don’t gut the team.” [14:29]
• Donnie: Supports galvanizing players if trades fall through—could improve locker room unity.
  • “How does it not galvanize these guys? Especially Cat, who admitted that the trade rumors have kind of gotten to him.” [17:54]

3. NHL Trade Deadline — Focus on Artemi Panarin

[18:19–24:25, 44:27–48:43]

Main Theme:
Discussion pivots to Rangers forward Artemi Panarin as a high-value rental/trade asset. What’s his market, and what would the Rangers get in return?

Key Points:

• Donnie: Panarin would likely welcome a trade to a Cup contender; Dallas, Tampa Bay, and possibly Edmonton among potential destinations.

• On value: “It’s so hard to get true value for a rental... picks and a prospect, probably, but a bigger return than anyone else the Rangers could move.” [21:02]

• Anthony Pusick (producer): Vincent Trocheck also a valuable trade chip due to his contract/term; big for teams seeking a center.

• Kevin Weeks’ report ([44:27]):

  • A host of teams have interest in Panarin, from California squads (Ducks, Kings, Sharks) to Vegas, Dallas, Minnesota, Toronto, Tampa, and yes, the Islanders.
  • Alan and Donnie: Odds of a trade to cross-town rival Islanders “single digits,” but magnitude would be off the scale.

• Strategy:

  • Carolina could make sense—adds offense to a team that often falters on scoring in key series.
  • “Maybe they need a little bit of a spark plug that goes against the grain a little bit.” —Donnie [48:23]

4. NFL Talk with Damian Woody

[27:37–40:41]

Theme:
Woody joins for frank NFL analysis, including Hall of Fame debates, Belichick’s legacy, Jets dysfunction, and the state of the league.

Key Insights:

• Eli Manning Hall of Fame Debate:

  • Woody: "Yes, Eli Manning is a Hall of Fame quarterback. When you're able to go head-to-head against the Patriots dynasty and win twice... that alone is going to probably put you in the Hall of Fame." [29:41]
  • Acknowledges Eli’s flaws, but says moments/legacy in Super Bowls carry weight.

• Bill Belichick’s “snub”

  • “You’re talking arguably the greatest coach in NFL history and he’s not a first ballot Hall of Famer? ... It brings mockery to the whole process.” —Woody [30:38]

• Jets’ Coaching Overhaul:

  • Nine assistants let go, head coach stays—rare.
  • Woody: “How often do you get an opportunity where you can just wipe the slate clean of your staff and then hire a whole new staff without you getting canned as well?” [33:07]
  • This is a do-or-die year; lack of a stable QB is still the core issue.
  • "Until they find a quarterback, really nothing's going to change.” [35:48]

• Super Bowl Early Take:

  • Woody likes Seahawks’ chances, citing their defense and Sam Darnold’s turnaround.
  • "Their defense... you can make the case for it to be the best in the league." [36:12]
  • Notes parity across NFL; teams can quickly flip from worst to first—Giants take hope.

• Pro Bowl Discussion:

  • The process maligned after questionable selections; Woody: “...the Pro Bowl is an absolute joke. So I’m not here to disparage Shador [Sanders]... I remember when the Pro Bowl actually meant something.” [39:27]

5. Final Hockey Talk & Closing Thoughts

[48:43–50:01]

• Key NHL games tonight: Rangers vs. Islanders, Devils vs. Predators, Nets vs. Nuggets
• Devils need new acquisition “PA type” debut performance; consistency from year to year discussed.
• Strong hockey-centric close, showing the trio’s “New York sports and so much more” spirit.

Notable Quotes

• Donnie [05:40]:
  “I just think the Knicks are in the catbird seat. He wants to play for the Knicks. Why should the Knicks lower themselves to chase like everyone else?”

• Alan [09:11] (on Knicks president Leon Rose):
  “The first time somebody hands me a trophy, I want it to be Adam Silver.”

• Damian Woody [30:38] (on Belichick’s HOF delay):
  “You’re talking arguably the greatest coach in NFL history and he’s not a first ballot Hall of Famer? ... It brings mockery to the whole process.”

• Caller Javi [14:29]:
  “We already had an example of this when they traded for Melo, and ended up not being as good as it could have been ... bring on Giannis for me. Just don’t gut the team.”

• Donnie [17:54] (on trade unity):
  “How does it not galvanize these guys? Especially Cat, who admitted that the trade rumors have kind of gotten to him.”

• Woody [35:48] (on Jets):
  “Until they find a quarterback, really nothing's going to change.”

Important Timestamps

• 03:15 – Shams Charania’s Giannis trade update and Knicks’ standing
• 05:40 – Don on why Knicks hold leverage and should wait for Giannis
• 14:29 – Caller compares Giannis trade scenario to Carmelo Anthony trade; urges caution
• 17:54 – Don on how not trading for Giannis could “galvanize” locker room
• 21:02 – Don’s take on Panarin’s trade value for the Rangers
• 27:37–40:41 – Full Damian Woody segment: Eli Manning, Belichick, Jets, the Pro Bowl, and NFL parity
• 44:27 – Kevin Weeks’ list of teams interested in Panarin, magnitude of potential trades discussed
• 48:01 – Carolina Hurricanes as a prime fit for Panarin
• 49:52 – Devils need instant return from new acquisition; importance of a debut performance

Tone and Language

• Direct, conversational, and humorous.
• Donnie’s “long view” approach often contrasts with fan urgency or past Knicks’ impulsiveness.
• Hahn offers context, background, and candid recollections from team management/insider events.
• Woody brings NFL player’s insight—a mix of blunt reality checks and hope for fans.

Summary Takeaways

• The Knicks are right to be patient and not gut their current, ascending roster just to meet trade market hype—even for a generational player like Giannis.
• Fans and the hosts invoke cautionary tales of past Knick desperation.
• In the NHL, Panarin leads the list of available high-end talent, but true value in trade is hard to realize, and a cross-town Islanders-Rangers blockbuster is highly unlikely.
• Damian Woody’s perspectives reinforce the importance of playoff “moments” in legacy, persistent NFL parity, and the dysfunction of the Pro Bowl and sometimes the Hall of Fame processes.
• The episode pulses with New York sports energy, balancing fan passion with seasoned skepticism and industry savvy.

For Knicks and hockey fans anxiously eyeing the trade horizon—or NFL fans jaded by the spectacle of Hall of Fame voting and the Pro Bowl—this hour is essential listening.