No Dunks Podcast Summary

Episode Title: LeBron Bends The Knee, Latest All-Star Votes & Trae Young Trade Ideas
Date: January 7, 2026
Hosts: J. Skeets, Tas Melas, Trey Kirby, JD
Podcast: No Dunks (iHeartPodcasts)

Main Theme

The crew breaks down key NBA games from the previous night—with a focus on LeBron James’ dynamic with Luka Doncic on the Lakers, Victor Wembanyama's return, the Wolves' dominance, and big-picture trade talk. The second half dives into All-Star ballot returns, debates on LeBron’s All-Star legitimacy, and a meaty grading of hypothetical Trae Young trades, before wrapping with signature playful banter on basketball minutiae.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. LeBron Bends the Knee to Luka – Lakers vs. Pelicans Recap

(02:18–14:35)

• LeBron James delivered 38 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists in a win over the Pelicans, and publicly called Luka Doncic the franchise star:

  "Luka is our franchise for this ball club. He don’t need to bend his game. It’s up to us to bend our game around him and figure it out.” (03:01, LeBron via Skeets)

• Hosts agree LeBron’s willingness to defer ("bending the knee") is unprecedented in his career:

  “A lot of respect from LeBron. Somewhat. Bending the knee to Luka for the first time in his career to another guy, I think that was cool.” (04:18, Trey Kirby)

• Noted how LeBron has increasingly assumed ‘number two guy’ duties: setting screens, technical glue plays, and how that could elevate the Lakers’ ceiling.

• Stat focus: Lakers remain perfect in clutch games (13-0), yet have the second-fewest clutch minutes—impressive, but contextually odd. (09:05–10:29)

• Vintage LeBron remains All-Star caliber, especially during this recent win streak (averaging 29 PPG at 59% FG).

2. Wembanyama’s Return & Spurs’ Late-Game Woes

(15:18–22:28)

• Wemby logs 30 points on minutes restriction; benched for the final 3:45 as the Spurs coughed up the late lead to the Grizzlies.

  “First lead of the fourth quarter that they had and they yanked him. It’s stupid.” (16:26, Tas Melas)

• Grizzlies short-handed, but Cam Spencer’s effort (21 points, 8 rebounds, 0 turnovers) and Vince Williams Jr. led the charge.
• Wemby on the team's inconsistency:

  "The fact is we play down to the level of the opponents. The good thing is we can match up with anybody and look everybody in the eyes. But the bad thing is we look everybody in the eyes and sometimes we should just put people away." (19:31, Wemby via Skeets)

• Harrison Barnes’ struggles post-Christmas noted; Spurs could look to upgrade at the deadline.

3. Wolves Blow Out Heat; Rudy Gobert DPOY Watch

(26:33–29:37)

• Wolves dominate Heat (122-94); huge paint points, 18 turnovers forced.
• Anthony Edwards: 26 points (5–8 from three), ruthless targeting of Miami's pick-and-roll defense.
• Praise for Rudy Gobert’s under-the-radar impact:

  “We need to start getting ready for Rudy Gobert to win his fifth Defensive Player of the Year award. I don’t think it’s that far-fetched.” (28:03, Skeets)

• Heat’s Bam Adebayo in a scoring slump, under 20 points in weeks.

4. All-Star Voting & LeBron's Legacy

(11:41–13:53, 44:15–48:38)

• LeBron’s recent form and the All-Star streak: Hosts concur it would take dramatic circumstances for him to miss out, regardless of fan vote ranking.
• J.J. Redick likened LeBron's old-man brilliance to Greg Maddux's late-career pitching:

  “He’s Greg Maddux at the end of his career. Every night he doesn’t have his best stuff, but he has enough to win. I’m his catcher…he tells me to f--- off and calls his own pitch, which is fine, too.” (12:56, Reddick via Skeets)

• All-Star voting second returns: Luka and Giannis lead. Discussion of bottom-of-the-ballot snubs (Booker, Murray) and Canada's Scotty Barnes climbing into 14th in the East.

5. Trae Young Trade Ideas: Grading the Packages

(52:33–79:37; timestamps approximate as subject blends through ads/breaks)

• Hosts reviewed and graded various media-proposed Trae Young trades, emphasizing Atlanta likely won't get much "real" value given Young’s contract and limited market.

a. Wizards – Trae Young for McCollum, Kispert, Picks

- Wizards get: Trae Young
- Hawks get: CJ McCollum (expiring), Corey Kispert, 2026 OKC 1st (likely 30th), two 2nds
- **Grades:**
    - Tas: “A–” (“Helps both, especially Wizards’ pick-and-roll with Alex Sarr”)
    - Trey: “B+, boosted to A– after argument. Puts butts in seats, finally gives DC a chance.” *(54:56–58:54)*
- Minor concerns about Young “stagnating” other young Wizards, but general consensus is positive.

b. Three-team: Wizards/Hawks/Mavs – AD to Atlanta

- Wizards: Trae Young
- Hawks: Anthony Davis, Dwight Powell
- Mavs: CJ McCollum, Kispert, Atlanta unprotected 2032 1st (yikes)
- **Grades:** Both Tas & Trey: "B–"
    - Best actual player Hawks could get; improves defense, but the 2032 unprotected pick is scary. Fit for all teams debated. Wizards happily say yes as price is even lower. *(62:24–65:45)*

c. Raptors – Trae Young, Kennard for Quickley, Barrett, Picks

- Hosts honest: “Does not feel right at all. Not enough for Raptors. Both teams probably say no.” *(71:18–72:47)*  
- *Grade:* D– (Trey)  
- Unlikely, and the Raps finally have an offense/defense balance that Trae could disrupt.

d. Bucks – Trae Young for Kuzma, Portis, Harris, 2031 1st

- C– (Trey): “Not what Bucks need—need 2-way wing, not to strip all wings for Trae. Hawks can probably do better.” *(73:43–76:04)*

e. Wolves – Trae Young for Reed, DiVincenzo, Conley, Miller

- “No from both.” Too much structure and chemistry sacrificed for Wolves midseason.
- “Call us in the offseason.” *(77:52–79:37)*

• General consensus: Wizards deal is the most realistic, mutually beneficial.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On LeBron deferring to Luka:

  "Somewhat. Bending the knee to Luka for the first time in his career to another guy." (04:18, Trey Kirby)

• On All-Star Games and aging greatness:

  “He’s doing this at 41 years old. You’re gonna miss LeBron when he’s gone.” (81:14, Skeets)

• On Wemby’s leadership quote:

  “The fact is we play down to the level of the opponents…The good thing is we can match up with anybody and look everybody in the eyes. But the bad thing is we look everybody in the eyes and sometimes we should just put people away.” (19:31, Wemby via Skeets)

• On hypothetical trade overload:

  “People love trades... Would be nice if we get an emergency podcast or two as we get up to the trade deadline. Don’t do it all at once, either. Space it out!” (85:19, Skeets)

Segment Timestamps

• 02:12 — Show start; Studio hellos, “hillbilly sauna” banter
• 03:18 — Lakers vs. Pelicans, LeBron “bends knee” to Luka discussion
• 09:05 — Lakers’ clutch stat anomaly
• 11:41 — LeBron’s All-Star candidacy & Reddick’s Greg Maddux quote
• 15:18 — Wemby’s return, Spurs crunch-time woes
• 19:31 — Wemby’s “look everybody in the eyes” quote
• 26:33 — Wolves-Heat recap; Gobert DPOY talk
• 44:15 — All-Star voting returns, Scotty Barnes rise, Booker/Murray snubs
• 52:33 — Trade Machine fever: Trae Young trade proposals & gradings
• 81:14 — Wo Boy of the Night: LeBron
• 82:43 — Pick’em: Raptors/Hornets spread

Tone & Banter

• Signature loose, irreverent, stat-savvy and joke-filled, with sidetracks into Marbula One marble racing, hypothetical NBA/NBA-MLB photo ops, and the merits of leather jackets for coaches.

Summary:

This episode captures NBA January in full swing: surging aging stars, rookie debuts, looming trade talk, and the All-Star race. The Wizards-Hawks Trae Young trade is highlighted as the cleanest fit. LeBron’s mentorship of Luka is celebrated; Wemby’s leadership and the Spurs’ growing pains are dissected. The crew’s blend of stats, banter, and honest trade machine fever makes for a lively, informative ride—bringing you up to speed on basketball’s present and many possible futures.