No Dunks – "NBA Trade Grades, Biggest All-Star Snubs, Weekend Winners & Losers"
iHeartPodcasts | Feb 2, 2026
Hosts: J. Skeets, Tas Melis, Trey Kirby, JD
Episode Overview
This episode of No Dunks dives into a busy NBA news weekend ahead of the trade deadline:
- The crew grades two notable trades and analyzes their impact.
- They break down the 2026 NBA All-Star reserves, highlight biggest snubs, and predict who could be injury replacements.
- The discussion wraps with an engaging segment on NBA weekend winners and losers.
The tone is irreverent but insightful, filled with the hosts' signature banter and deep-dive basketball analysis.
Key Segments & Discussion Points
1. Wedgie Watch & Weekend Opener (03:10–06:15)
- The show opens with their recurring "Wedgie Watch," as the rare basketball phenomenon continues at a record pace.
- J. Skeets: "Our record-setting wedgie pace continues. Two more over the weekend... We're on pace for 65 wedgies according to wedgietracker.com. So we're on fire, man." (04:34)
- Banter about Cooper Flagg’s back-to-back wedgies—hosts relish in niche basketball trivia.
2. Trade #1: Cavaliers–Kings–Bulls (06:17–21:19)
Details:
- Cavaliers receive: Keon Ellis, Dennis Schroder, Emmanuel Miller
- Kings receive: DeAndre Hunter
- Bulls receive: Dario Saric, two 2nd round picks
Cleveland Cavaliers Perspective
- Trey: "I think Dennis Schroder is the biggest factor here... The Cavs need a ball handler. Lonzo Ball has been bad this year; he has not been right."
- Keon Ellis is praised as "a great flyer," with potential to bolster perimeter defense beside Donovan Mitchell.
- Trade seen partly as a cap dump to gain flexibility.
Sacramento Kings Perspective
- Tas: "It just shows you how big of a mistake it was to sign Schroder in the first place... [The Kings] do need a big wing, but why do they want DeAndre Hunter on this team going forward? Doesn't make any sort of sense."
- Critique of Kings' asset management: "A masterclass in poor mismanagement." (16:29 – J. Skeets)
- A "buy-low" move, but skepticism Hunter will flourish there.
Chicago Bulls Perspective
- Tas: "Who knew? ...The Bulls won a trade! They gave up nothing, and they got two second-round picks." (20:02)
- The hosts jest that simply facilitating a trade for picks is novel for Chicago.
3. Trade #2: Hawks–Blazers (24:30–28:13)
- Portland receives: Vít Krejčí
- Atlanta receives: Duop Reath, two 2nds (including their own 2027)
- Trey: "Portland could use a shooter, that’s for sure… Vít is making 44.6% of his catch-and-shoot threes this season, ranks very high across the league."
- Krejčí is seen as a potential rotation shooter for Portland; for the Hawks, it's a move to recoup assets and trim future salary.
- Tas: "The contract might be a little too team-friendly because I don’t think he has any guaranteed money left after this season." (27:11)
- Mild enthusiasm: a "sicko" trade, but logical for both sides.
4. All-Star Reserve Selections & Snubs (29:52–41:20)
2026 NBA All-Star Reserves Recap
East: Donovan Mitchell, Jalen Johnson, KAT, Siakam, Norman Powell, Scottie Barnes, Jalen Duren
West: Anthony Edwards, Jamal Murray, Chet Holmgren, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Deni Avdija, LeBron James
Surprises & Snub Reactions
- Siakam (East) seen as surprise pick over Michael Porter Jr.
- Tas: "Siakam has the pedigree… Indiana had a 7-8 January. That's good timing." (31:40)
- Norman Powell: Now 4th-oldest first-time All-Star since 1960; Raptors 2019 team legacy discussed.
- J. Skeets: "Six All-Stars now on that [2019] squad. People will look back at the 2019 Raptors and think this was the greatest team in the history of the sport." (32:01)
- LeBron over Kawhi (West): The hosts echo John Hollinger, calling it "bizarre."
- Tas: "Kawhi has been awesome when he has played; LeBron has been good... but LeBron's LeBron and Kawhi is under investigation, so I'm not super surprised." (33:20)
- J. Skeets: Suggests All-Star ballots were likely weighted by votes and that LeBron 'snuck in' over other deserving names.
- All-Star format intricacies (World vs. Stars & Stripes teams), the Giannis injury, and who replaces him (likely Alperen Şengün or, if Cat/Powell are ruled 'international', possibly Kawhi).
5. NBA Weekend Winners & Losers (44:20–68:34)
Winners (44:20–54:39)
- Oklahoma City Thunder: Win over Denver; team regains offensive form.
- Tas: "It was the third quarter really that was the difference. OKC went 8 of 13 from three and at one point they hit five straight threes..." (45:30)
- Trey: "Shea [SGA] was in that championship mode. I mean, he just looked like he was locked in." (47:34)
- Jared Allen (Cavs): Career-high 40 points, 17 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 blocks in under 30 minutes.
- "First player in NBA history with a 40-15-5 in under 30 minutes." (51:03 – Trey)
- J. Skeets: "Does feel like he has one of these… once a season where he has a monster line."
- Mini-winners:
- Jokic: Dominant return vs. Clippers.
- Joel Embiid: 40-point game vs. Pelicans
- Hornets: Longest win streak in a decade.
- Pistons: Franchise record 53-point win.
- Yuki Kawamura (Bulls): 5'7" guard wins a jump ball.
Losers (62:51–71:27)
- Paul George (Sixers): Suspended 25 games for anti-drug policy violation.
- Tas: "It just goes to show, you don't say anything good about the 76ers..." (63:08)
- J. Skeets: "He gets drug tested probably after that game where he hit nine threes... and this is why he gets the 25 game suspension." (64:37)
- Kawhi Leonard: Not named to All-Star team in a career-best scoring year; snubbed in his home arena.
- Trey: "27 consecutive games with 20+, that's a career high... he's a loser just because he didn't get named an All-Star." (66:23)
- Sacramento Kings: Criticized for asset mismanagement and "losing" a tank-off game to the Wizards' G-Leaguers.
- "This was legit a tank off. And I guess the Kings did win the tank off... but man, this was something else." (69:55 – J. Skeets)
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
On Kings mismanagement:
"A masterclass in poor mismanagement."
— J. Skeets (16:29) -
On LeBron's All-Star inclusion:
"John Hollinger said about the LeBron selection, it's the most bizarre and indefensible selection of my adult life. ... But LeBron's LeBron and Kawhi is under investigation, so I'm not super surprised."
— Tas Melis (33:20) -
On Norman Powell's path to All-Star:
"Norman Powell, now the fourth oldest, first-time All-Star since 1960..."
— J. Skeets (31:56) -
On Thunder's impressive win:
"You watch Oklahoma City play, they looked impossible to beat on this night."
— Tas Melis (46:17) -
On Kings–Wizards tank game:
"The Kings starting lineup was unable to close against the Wizards, who shamelessly leaned into a tank job... The [Wizards'] C team, really G League team, closed out the Kings' starters."
— J. Skeets (69:54)
Timelines for Major Segments
- Wedgie Watch & NBA banter: 03:10–06:15
- Cavs–Kings–Bulls trade breakdown: 06:17–21:19
- Hawks–Blazers trade: 24:30–28:13
- All-Star Reserves & Snubs: 29:52–41:20
- Winners: 44:20–54:39
- OKC-DEN analysis: 44:30–49:35
- Jared Allen highlight: 50:30–53:35
- Mini-winners: 54:00–58:00
- Losers: 62:51–71:27
- Paul George: 62:51–66:20
- Kawhi, Kings, tank content: 66:23–71:27
Summary for New Listeners
This episode is packed with sharp, funny, and in-depth NBA trade analysis (with a strong focus on the Cavs–Kings–Bulls and Hawks–Blazers deals), passionate debate over this year’s All-Star picks and snubs, and the crew’s idiosyncratic but loving roundup of the NBA weekend’s best and worst moments.
From critiques of NBA front office missteps to breaking down which All-Stars actually deserved their selection, this is essential listening for NBA diehards—especially during trade deadline season.
Key Takeaways
- Cavs viewed as trade deadline winners for adding guard depth and flexibility; the Kings, as cautionary tales in asset mismanagement.
- All-Star debates centered on LeBron’s spot over Kawhi, Powell’s late emergence, and the complexities of the new format.
- The NBA’s midseason atmosphere is electric, with the Thunder’s rise, historic individual performances, and even tank battles proving captivating.
- Paul George’s suspension and the resulting shuffling in the standings could reshape the East down the stretch.
- Irreverence and authenticity remain a No Dunks hallmark—as much about the jokes and inside references as it is about breaking news.
For more trade deadline coverage, All-Star debates, and all things NBA, stay tuned to No Dunks all week!