No Dunks Podcast Summary

Episode Overview

Episode Title: The Trae Young Era In Atlanta Appears To Be Over
Date: January 6, 2026
Hosts: Skeets, Tas Melas, Trey Kirby, JD
Main Theme:
The episode focuses on the imminent end of Trae Young's time with the Atlanta Hawks, exploring potential trade partners—the Wizards being the most likely—possible return packages, and the legacy of Young in Atlanta. The crew also recaps notable NBA games, discusses injury news, and delves into league trends and memorable moments.

Main Discussion: Trae Young Trade Speculation

[04:01] The Trae Young Era Nears Its End

• Breaking News:

  • Mark Stein reports the Wizards have emerged as a serious trade destination for Trae Young.
  • Shams Charania confirms Trae Young and the Hawks are working together on a trade.
  • Discussion of the likelihood and timing: may not happen immediately; could be an off-season move if a better offer emerges.

• Trade Construction:

  • Trey Kirby and Tas Melas echo their earlier podcast speculation, noting a CJ McCollum expiring contract as a likely centerpiece for matching salary purposes.
  • "CJ can do similar things to Trey Young. Score from outside, organize the offense, make plays. Though he's not the passer obviously that Trey Young is." – Tas Melas [05:07]
  • Wizards would benefit from Young's ability to create shots for young players like Alex Sarr; this move could signal a buy-low situation for Washington.

• Atlanta’s Side:

  • Hawks seem ready to move on, opening up for young player development and future flexibility.
  • "It’s a resetting the decks sort of move for the Hawks. And the team that trades for Trae Young is honestly trying to get to where the Hawks are right now. … teams out there who would love to be a play-in regular at this point." – Tas Melas [15:44]
  • Discussion of possible trade packages, referencing unexciting recent superstar returns (e.g., the Pascal Siakam trade).

• Wizards' Motivation & Fit:

  • "The Hawks are really just moving on from Trae Young. ... The Wizards might want him to sort of guide like Tre Johnson, their backup shooting guard, into how to be a point guard." – Trey Kirby [07:21]
  • Trae Young likely to pick up his player option ($49M) next year, so not just a short-term rental—future extension probable if a trade is made.

• Other Interested Teams?

  • Debate over whether any teams beyond the Wizards or Nets (with possible Nick Claxton as a centerpiece) would be interested. Doubt cast on teams like the Raptors or Kings.
  • "Do you think there’s another team out there that actually wants Trae Young? Because it’s not a lock that he’s going to the Washington Wizards at this point." – Skeets [11:07]

• Market Leverage & Hawks’ Dilemma:

  • Hawks unlikely to get a significant return; the market for small, score-first point guards is down ("Trey Young player style has kind of fallen out of vogue in the NBA. Small guards didn’t get paid at all this season." – Tas Melas [14:45])
  • “The package that’s coming back for Trae Young ain’t going to be good.” – Skeets [07:21]
  • Wizards reportedly want minimal cost, while the Hawks are hoping someone else jumps in to outbid.

[14:11] The Legacy Question & Franchise Impact

• Debate on whether Trae Young will have his jersey retired in Atlanta despite his statistical impact:
  • "Do you think Trae Young is a guy that will have his jersey retired by the Atlanta Hawks here? Four-time All-Star... incredible career averages, basically 25 and 10 for his career. Is that something you think will see his jersey hanging in the rafters?" – Skeets [22:49]
  • "Probably I think it’ll go Joe Johnson first, then Trae Young." – Tas Melas [23:42]
  • "That’s the moment I think of when I think of Trae Young is him being the Knicks. That was peak Trae Young, 2021." – Trey Kirby [23:46]

Notable Quotes & Exchanges:

• “The Wizards don’t want to be a scrappy team that everyone’s saying could be good with a star. … They want to fight for the 10th seed.” – Tas Melas [18:41]
• “This might not happen in the next month. This may be an off-season thing where there’s a better package available.” – Trey Kirby [07:21]
• "I keep going back to that Pascal Siakam trade… It wasn’t sexy, man. It was brutal." – Skeets [13:00]

Other Major NBA Topics

[28:17] Rockets Injury & Game News

• Alperen Sengun out 10–14 days (right ankle sprain); Rockets deep enough to cover with Capela, Eason, and others, but losing their main orchestrator hurts.

• “He is the player that they rely on the most ... especially in crunch time.” – Trey Kirby [28:56]

• Despite injuries, schedule is favorable: two Blazers games, Kings, and Bulls.

• Fred VanVleet Injury Update:

  • Mark Stein: VanVleet working to make a late-season return; uncertain how impactful he'll be after such a long absence.

[31:41] Durant Game Winner vs. Suns

• Kevin Durant hits last-second three to beat Phoenix, then “thumbs out” to the crowd:
  • "He said it meant more ... because it came against his former team that he said kicked them out and he felt like he was the scapegoat." – Skeets [31:41]
• Booker's failed shot mirrored previous night's winner; defense by Tar Eason highlighted.
• “What a year for thumbs in the NBA.” – Tas Melas [32:20]

[35:57] NBA Returns to China (Macau)

• Mavs and Rockets to play preseason games in Macau; discussion of improved U.S.-China NBA relations post-Daryl Morey controversy.
• Gambling hub angle mentioned; ribbing about marketing versus league’s current gambling concerns.

Featured Game Recaps & Analysis

[44:33] Pistons Rout the Knicks

• Cade Cunningham with 29pts/13ast dominates; Pistons outclass Knicks on the glass, with energy and effort surprising for a back-to-back.
• "Cade in that third quarter he literally decided wherever he wanted to get, we’ll make it happen … He literally beat the Knicks by himself." – Trey Kirby [44:50]
• Knicks mired in four-game losing streak, with calls for more assertiveness from Towns and concerns over sluggish offense.
• “OG has to have people get shots for him for the most part, so that maybe falls on teammates more so than Towns does.” – Tas Melas [49:20]

[52:14] Hornets Destroy Thunder

• Brandon Miller (28 pts); Hornets hit 19 threes, dominate from start to finish. Thunder look disjointed, shooting poorly, and lacking rebounding after Isaiah Hartenstein’s injury.
• "Hot start for Charlotte. Hot entire night for Charlotte." – Tas Melas [52:45]
• Thunder now 6–6 in last 12; warning signs about effort and scheme, but could be a normal post-title lull.

[61:08] Clippers Edge Warriors (with Snoop)

• Steve Kerr ejected; Snoop Dogg provides memorable color commentary ("Get him, Steve!"). Warriors can't capitalize despite turnovers and poor Clippers shooting.
• "Snoop was hilarious ... It was worth it for that." – Tas Melas [65:55]
• Discussion of Jimmy Butler’s late miss and ongoing struggles for the Warriors’ supporting cast.

Additional Notes:

• Nuggets win without Jokic, with role players stepping up (Peyton Watson, Bruce Brown); optimism over Denver's team cohesion and playoff prospects.
• Raptors sweep Hawks season series, with rookies Colin Murray Boyles (CMB) and Grady Dick impressing.

Notable Quotes

• "The Hawks are ready for him [Trae Young] to be gone, is what it certainly feels like." – Tas Melas [20:46]
• "The Wizards as a franchise just need a hit, even if it’s a play-in berth." – Trey Kirby [06:05]
• "Does he [Trae Young] get his jersey retired?" – Skeets [22:49]
• "Cade in that third quarter … beat the Knicks by himself." – Trey Kirby [44:50]
• "What a year for thumbs in the NBA." – Tas Melas [32:20]
• "Snoop was hilarious … Get him, Steve!" – Tas Melas [65:55]

Timestamps—Key Segments

• 02:09 – Podcast Introduction and Skeets' "in the box" gag
• 04:01 – Trae Young Trade News & Deep Dive
• 13:00–15:50 – Value of Small Guards in Modern NBA
• 22:49 – Trae Young’s Atlanta Legacy & Jersey Retirement Debate
• 28:17 – Rockets Injury Update (Sengun) + Schedule
• 31:41 – Durant’s Game Winner vs. Suns
• 35:57 – NBA Preseason China/Macau Discussion
• 44:33 – Pistons Blow Out Knicks: Recap/Concerns
• 52:14 – Hornets Rout OKC: Thunder’s Woes
• 61:08 – Clippers Win over Warriors: Snoop Dogg Broadcast
• 66:58 – Nuggets Post-Jokic, Raptors Sweep Hawks
• 70:01 – Celtics/Blazers/Other Quick Hits
• 73:01 – "Whoa Boy" Award (Cade Cunningham)

Memorable/Light Moments

• Skeets podcasts from inside a large, wrapped Christmas box as a payoff for a lost bet; running jokes about his "air hole" and comfort throughout the show.
• Playful banter about giant childhood gifts, GT Snow Racers, and wrapping paper struggles.
• Snoop Dogg’s performance as color commentator during Clippers-Warriors, including his reaction to Steve Kerr’s ejection: "Get him, Steve!" [65:55]
• Trivia and jokes about NBA China games and Portlandia “Macau/cacao” safe word sketch.

Closing Quote [76:39]

“Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. But today is a gift. That’s why it is called the Present.”
— Skeets (quoting “Kung Fu Panda”)