No Dunks – February 3, 2026

Episode Overview

On this episode, Skeets, Tas, Trey, and JD tackle the NBA’s hottest trade rumors—including James Harden’s latest trade saga, the Clippers and Cavs’ rumblings, how it impacts both franchises, and how this rumor mill is reshaping the notion of trade requests. They move on to the escalating Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, evaluating potential deals and their viability around the league. The crew then turns to actual hoops, recapping a wild Hornets comeback and other key games, and wrap up by drafting the two American rosters for the upcoming All-Star Game.

Main Segments & Key Discussion Points

1. James Harden’s Trade Rumor Rumble (02:43–17:54)

Rumor Breakdown

• The Cleveland Cavaliers and LA Clippers have discussed a James Harden for Darius Garland swap (03:37).
• The report first broke with Chris Mannix (SI), then confirmed across the major outlets (03:37–04:03).

Panel’s Reactions

• Tas Millis: Expresses disbelief. “James Harden's team was just 15 and 3. What? Why?” (04:24). Notes Harden’s history of trade requests and concludes: “It’s always about the money. He wants that next deal and he wants it locked in before he has to hit free agency.” (06:09)
• Trey Kirby: Calls Harden “the GOAT—greatest of all trade requesters. Nobody’s ever done it like him.” (05:40) Suggests both sides are avoiding the term "trade request" for PR reasons, but clearly, Harden wants out to secure his next contract (05:58–06:35).
• Je Skeets: Outlines Harden’s contractual situation: "He does have veto power on any deal because he's technically only under contract for this season as the one year bird. ... The second year of his two year, $81.5 million deal...is a player option which isn't fully guaranteed." (07:48).

Does a Harden-Garland Swap Make Sense?

• Trey Kirby: Acknowledges Harden’s higher durability vs. Garland but notes, "they're both not really good defenders...Harden's pretty unreliable in big playoff moments. So is Darius Garland. He hasn't done anything in the playoffs." (08:50)
• Tas Millis: Skeptical for both teams—Cavs are finally gelling, and adding Harden’s playoff baggage doesn’t address their weakness (10:48).

Why Would LA Want Garland?

• Skeets: Flags contract concerns: “Isn’t that run counter to all we’ve been hearing about the Clippers wanting to keep cap space past ’26-’27?” (12:52).

Why Now?

• Tas: “Weird timing though. ... The Clippers [are] back to being good.” (07:48).
• Trey: “He knows the Clippers are toast, so he's getting out,” (14:43), suggesting deadline pressure forces action, even when timing seems odd.

Harden’s Future Suitors

• Conversation pivots to Houston as a possible endpoint if VanVleet’s injury is serious (11:04).

Harden’s Trade Request Legacy

• Skeets: “How many emergency podcasts have we done for Harden?” (17:05)
• Tas: “He was the best to ever do it though: the trade demand.” (07:04)

Memorable Quotes

• “He's the goder—greatest of all trade requesters.” —Trey (05:40)
• “What is basketball? I don't understand.” —Tas (04:24)

2. The Giannis List: Four Teams Chasing the Greek Freak (23:10–32:33)

Rumors from Shams (23:10)

• Bucks are fielding offers, with Miami, Minnesota, Golden State, and New York leading the pack.
• Milwaukee wants a blue-chip talent and/or a bevy of picks.

Evaluating the Packages

• Golden State’s Offer: “A lot of picks, a hell of a lot of picks” + young players (23:52).
• Miami’s Offer: “More young players...maybe the young prospect is Khalil Ware. Tyler Herro, depends on your opinion… And then they have picks too.” (23:58)
• Minnesota: Hinge on including Jaden McDaniels. But would the league help the Wolves land Giannis? — Trey (25:58).
• Knicks: “Very confusing...so many other things and get so many other teams involved.” — Skeets (24:20).

Panel’s Takes

• Tas Millis: Sees Wolves rumors as hot air: “I think that's what it all stems down to....I don't know if Minnesota’s going to be the team. It doesn't feel right.” (24:32)
• Trey Kirby: “Wouldn't every other team in the league realize that if we're getting involved...we're helping the Wolves get Giannis? That's odd to me.” (25:58). Thinks a trade could happen before the deadline: “I lean towards it’s going to happen. ... Somebody is gonna be willing to...do everything to get Giannis.” (26:58)

Is Trading Giannis Imminent?

• Panel notes dueling news: one outlet says “talks have started to progress,” another says “probably not going to happen until the summer.” (25:58–29:12)
• Tas is the lone voice: “It’s not dead. Maybe it happens in the summer, but anything can happen—James Harden just demanded a trade from a team that was 15-3.” (29:04, 31:28)
• Skeets: “If you wait until the summer, more draft capital could be included… That’s why [the] Bucs...have all these reasons just to wait.” (29:12–29:50)
• Poll: Will a Giannis deal happen now or after the season? (31:50)

Memorable Quotes

• “Just so much buzz right now and so many teams chasing that somebody is going to be willing to [pay up].”—Trey (26:58)
• “It’s the front office saying, ‘Our future’s done. We’re going for it right here, right now.’” —Tas on Warriors’ possible offer (27:22)

3. Hornets Rising: Comeback Win and Unexpected Hot Streak (32:34–39:13)

Recap of Pelicans–Hornets (32:34)

• Hornets storm back from 22 down to win their seventh straight (32:34–32:48).
• LaMelo Ball cut after collision with head coach Charles Lee but returned.
• Brandon Miller took charge: “His handle is better. He’s most importantly able to stay on the court right now.” —Trey (35:49).

Defining the Win

• Tas: “They got it all done...in just a second half. Big fight. Big, big second half for them.” (33:13).
• Trey: “Brandon Miller has taken a step forward as well....made some big plays...Hornets won a game in which they didn’t play all that well. I think that’s pretty important.” (35:49)

Memorable Calls

• “LaMelo needs to play in a cage…Now he's running into his own coach. Get this guy some fencing.” —Trey (34:33)
• Eric Collins called it: “It’s going to be a Hornets party tomorrow. Eastern Conference coach of the month Charles Lee, Rookie of the Month Con Kneipple, and ‘Take your pick’ for Player of the Month.” (35:22)

Key Stats

• Brandon Miller: “22, 5, and 3 for [him] in January. Plus 11 points per 100 possessions.” (35:40)
• LaMelo: “3 for 14 [3Ps] but 5 for 6 inside the lane.” (34:45)

4. Other Noteworthy Performances & Game Recaps (39:13–43:59)

Rockets-Pacers

• Alperen Sengun drops 39 as Rockets overcome Pacers’ parade of centers. “They grabbed 19 [offensive rebounds]...29 second chance points…that was the story.”—Tas (41:07).

Sixers-Clippers

• Sixers roll despite Clippers' “harden surprise trade request” distraction. “18 to 2 start for the Sixers. Clippers never got it under 10 points...” —Trey (42:30)
• “Philadelphia had 14 offensive rebounds, 28 second chance points, and scored 22 points off turnovers.” —Trey (42:30)

5. All-Star: American Team Draft & Jersey Review (49:48–64:35)

Jersey Review

• The two U.S. teams will wear “Stars” (red) and “Stripes” (blue), World team in white “Slovenian-like” kit (50:21–51:18).
• Flags to be displayed on the jersey back—nice touch (50:45).

Draft Process

• Trey and Tas draft from two pools of American All-Stars, discussing the snubs, starters, and the likelihood of each player showing out in the ASG (55:31–64:35).
• Notable: Steph goes #1. LeBron slides, Ant is picked expecting a breakout, Trey gets three Jalens, and from the reserves, Scotty Barnes, Devin Booker, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Duren get picked in the mid/late rounds.
• Fun banter about matching up players via “rock, paper, scissors” (63:35).

Dunk Contest Update

• Jalen Duren of the Pistons announced for the Slam Dunk Contest (51:21).

6. Other Memorable Moments, Quotes, and Recaps

Emergency Harden Watch

• Panel affectionately jests about the tradition of “emergency podcasts” whenever Harden is moved (17:05–17:29).
• “Harden's power comes from the strip clubs and the casinos and the partying. You have it backwards.” —Skeets on whether Harden would thrive in Cleveland (18:34)

Notable Game Quirks

• "Eric Collins, the great Eric Collins. … He said Ryan Kalkbrenner growing the mutton chops because … it's just his beard that doesn't really fill in, so it just looks a little sparse." —Tas (37:00)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• James Harden trade rumors: 02:43–17:54
• Giannis trade chatter: 23:10–32:33
• Hornets' win and rise: 32:34–39:13
• Game recaps: 39:13–43:59
• All-Star American team draft & jersey reaction: 49:48–64:35

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• 05:40 Trey: “He’s the goder — greatest of all trade requesters. Nobody’s ever done it like him.”
• 08:50 Trey: “Harden’s pretty unreliable in big playoff moments. So is Darius Garland. He hasn’t done anything in the playoffs.”
• 14:43 Trey: “He knows the Clippers are toast, so he's getting out.”
• 17:05 Skeets: “How many emergency podcasts have we done for Harden?”
• 18:34 Skeets: “James Harden’s power comes from the strip clubs and the casinos and the partying. You have it backwards.”
• 26:58 Trey: “I lean towards it’s going to happen…somebody’s going to be willing to do everything to get Giannis.”
• 35:22 Eric Collins (via Trey): “It’s going to be a Hornets party tomorrow. Eastern Conference coach of the month Charles Lee, Rookie of the Month Con Kneipple, and ‘Take your pick’ for Player of the Month.”
• 34:33 Trey: “LaMelo needs to play in a cage…now he's running into his own coach. Get this guy some fencing.”

Overall Tone and Style

Lively, quick-witted, inside-jokey; the guys blend in-depth analysis with original NBA nerd humor, playful sarcasm, and the camaraderie of diehard fans who’ve had this conversation a thousand times.

For New Listeners

You’ll leave this episode:

• Fully briefed on why Harden really wants out (again), and the practical realities of a Harden-Garland or Harden-to-Houston redux.
• Ready for the deadline drama around Giannis: who can really swing a trade, what it’d cost, and why waiting for summer may still be best.
• With a surprising respect for the red-hot Hornets and a smile at the show’s signature banter as the All-Star rosters are drafted.
• Bonus: You’ll hear why Brandon Miller is “an underrated, super sweaty guy,” the team’s obsession with “emergency pods,” and where Harden might party in Cleveland.

End of summary.