The Athletic NBA Daily – Clippers and Knicks Season Preview
Date: September 2, 2025
Hosts: Dave DeFore, Law Murray (Clippers segment), James Edwards III (Knicks segment)
Episode Overview
This episode of The Athletic NBA Daily features in-depth, expert-driven season previews for two major NBA franchises: the Los Angeles Clippers and the New York Knicks. Host Dave DeFore welcomes Clippers reporter Law Murray and Knicks reporter James Edwards III to break down offseason moves, roster dynamics, coaching changes, X-factors, and playoff outlooks for both teams heading into the 2025-26 NBA season. The discussions blend realism, insider perspective, and some candid skepticism about each team's best- and worst-case scenarios.
Los Angeles Clippers – 2025-26 Season Preview
Analysis by Law Murray
Timestamps: [01:14]–[22:30]
Key Themes & Discussion Points
Last Season’s Review & Health Context
- Clippers finished 50-32, 5th seed in the West.
Kawhi Leonard played only 37 games.- Law: "They didn't underperform in the slightest… they needed every one of those 50 wins to avoid the play-in tournament." ([01:50])
- Exceptional success in the regular season, disappointment in playoffs after a healthy run ended in a Game 7 exit.
- Law: "What they did in the playoffs was crushing… injuries were not a conversation.” ([02:52])
Offseason Changes and Additions
- Key departures: Norman Powell – “borderline All-Star and major reason they could sustain.”
- Key arrivals: John Collins, Bradley Beal, Brook Lopez, Chris Paul, Bogdan Bogdanović.
- Law: “What John Collins gives you is something that the Clippers did not have last year—optionality with athletic size, a perimeter and interior threat on offense.” ([03:39])
- “Bradley Beal… has the best opportunity to show that he can impact winning with what the Clippers need.” ([03:48])
- “Brook Lopez is there too… (he will play some minutes with Zubac)… John Collins will play four and five.” ([05:45])
Roster and Fit
- John Collins: Provides flexibility (4/5, offense, floor spacing), but questions on defense.
- “If he's going to shoot 40% from three as well as be a guy who can put pressure on the rim… that’s tremendous. Offensively, the Clippers are exciting. Defensively, I’m wondering if they keep that same energy.” ([06:32])
- Bradley Beal: Elevated playmaking and ball-handling responsibility.
- “Brad is supposed to be an upgrade in the ball-handling department… a guy who can run a pick and roll and make good decisions.” ([18:00])
- Aging roster: No breakout players expected; concern around physical wear (James Harden, Kawhi).
- “This is going to be the oldest team in the league or close to it. There are no breakout candidates.” ([07:41])
- James Harden: High utilization, minutes, leadership praised—concern about fatigue, decline.
- “James Harden played a crazy amount of minutes… you have to be concerned about the effects of that going into the next season… He needs to impact his teammates and the game.” ([08:10–09:46])
Kawhi Leonard’s Role and Health
- Expectations: Play ~60 games, avoid back-to-backs (unless playoff seeding on the line).
- “He needs to play enough games… to defend consistently well… Kawhi’s reputation is good one-on-one, but that has to be game in, game out…” ([11:09])
- “If him playing a more normal regular season enables him to reach a level in the playoffs… that’s key.” ([13:19])
Team Construction and Trade Flexibility
- Lawrence Frank’s history as an active midseason GM; expects rotation changes if needed.
- “Every season with Lawrence Frank… they’ve made a move. If it doesn’t work, there are tradable contracts.” ([14:00])
- Closest trade candidates: Bogdan Bogdanović (“if he fits, he’s safe, if not, he’s moved”) ([14:28])
- Chris Paul and Nicolas Batum labeled “untouchable” for trade purposes. ([14:49])
X-Factors and Playoff Outlook
- Bradley Beal: Availability (must play at least 60 games), creation, defensive challenge—the biggest swing factor.
- “If Brad doesn’t play 60 games, then Brad’s gonna have the same issues in LA that he’s had the previous four years.” ([18:00])
- On Beal’s offensive fit: “He's got to be able to be that guy… 18 to 20 a game for 65 games.” ([20:16])
- Minimum expectations: Must win a playoff series—anything less puts the roster (and possibly front office/coach) at risk.
- “The outcome is they better win a playoff series. They haven’t won a playoff series in either of the previous four years… I’m not ready to say the Clippers are contenders… but they should be good enough to get through at least one [series].” ([21:13])
- On elite competition: “Thunder is so good. Nuggets got so much better. It’s gonna be tough… the West is looking like a bloodbath.” ([22:30])
Notable Quotes
-
On last year’s team:
“They didn’t underperform in the slightest… They had the best finish a Clippers team can ever claim.”
– Law Murray, [01:50] -
On John Collins:
“That’s the biggest reason that John is there, that play right there… it’s why Norm’s not on the team… and why John Collins is finally on this team.”
– Law Murray, [05:11] -
On aging/decline risk:
“When you have his [James Harden’s] body type and when you get to be his age… you have to be concerned about the effects… It’s just science, it’s just he’s a human being.”
– Law Murray, [08:32] -
On expectations:
“They need to win a playoff series and I think that they are good enough to win a playoff series. Beyond that, I’m not ready to say the Clippers are contenders.”
– Law Murray, [21:13]
New York Knicks – 2025-26 Season Preview
Analysis by James Edwards III
Timestamps: [24:46]–[48:03]
Key Themes & Discussion Points
Offseason Moves and Coaching Change
- Biggest change: Firing of Tom Thibodeau, hiring Mike Brown.
- “Firing a coach who had led you to heights you hadn’t reached in quite some time… It struggled offensively, so I understand changing the coach.” ([25:24])
- Core locked-in: Extended Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson took a pay cut, focus on avoiding the second apron for salary cap.
- “There seems to be a buy-in collectively with what they’re trying to achieve goal-wise… championship or bust, finals or bust type of mentality.” ([26:55])
Anticipated Changes Under Mike Brown
- Emphasis on collaboration—contrasts with Thibodeau’s “my show” approach.
- “Mike Brown has talked about them wanting to play fast… move the ball quicker in the half court. Cutting, moving… collaboration.” ([28:27])
- “I think collaboration’s big. Mike Brown… wanting to play fast.” ([28:53])
- Potential to unleash Towns’ passing (à la Sabonis in Sacramento); concern about adapting the system to existing roster strengths.
- “Are you going to be doing the same with Karl-Anthony Towns… can be a good playmaker, but on the go… more turnover prone.” ([29:40])
Player Development and Roles
- Who must improve: Mikal Bridges.
- “Offensively Mikal Bridges needs to take a step forward. Struggled from three… Lived in the midrange… really didn’t go to the rim, didn’t draw a lot of fouls.” ([30:33])
- Brunson may need to adapt to share ball, could play off-ball more.
- “I wonder if we’ll see him more as a spot up shooter in situations… more off pin downs, handoffs…” ([33:29])
- Depth additions: Gershon Yabusele, Jordan Clarkson, with a 9-man rotation likely and potential to extend to 10.
Rotations & Lineup Flexibility
- Probable starting five: Brunson, Bridges, Anunoby, Towns, Robinson.
- Josh Hart likely comes off the bench: “He was the one that suggested that Mitch start for him in the playoffs… that’s just the kind of guy he is.” ([36:41])
- Newfound bench depth expected to translate into fewer extreme minutes for stars.
- “I’d be shocked if any of those guys are not in the rotation… at least nine deep.” ([37:54])
Playstyle Evolution
- Aim: diversify offense to avoid predictability—moving away from iso-centric attack, emphasizing ball and player movement.
- “How do you diversify your offense? I think is one of the questions the Knicks need to answer.” ([39:24])
Season X-Factors
- Main factors: Health and fit of Mike Brown.
- “Mike Brown has to be the right coach… and we won’t know that for a while.” ([40:44])
- “Injuries… I’m not sure this is like, a team that can, like, go without one of its three best players for a long period of time and, like, still be NBA title contenders.” ([42:27])
Trade Outlook
- Mitchell Robinson cited as the player to watch; extension-eligible with potential for midseason move depending on performance, health, and cap considerations.
- “Mitchell Robinson’s future is probably the most intriguing… I just don’t see him getting [an extension] prior to the start of the season.” ([43:46])
Expectations and Predictions
- On paper, Knicks as talented as anyone in the East, “legitimate chance to get back” to the conference finals; Cleveland identified as primary rival.
- “In my head, I think it’s going to be those two in the Eastern Conference finals.” ([45:49])
- East seen as wide open, with outside threats from up-and-coming teams, and always the lurking threat of Milwaukee/Philadelphia.
- “There could be some fun stuff happening in the east this year… I also keep forgetting to mention the most dominant player in the east, Giannis, he’s still playing.” ([46:54])
Notable Quotes
-
On Mike Brown’s focus:
“Mike Brown has talked about them wanting to play fast… moving the ball quicker in the half court. Cutting, moving.”
– Host, [28:27] -
On Mikal Bridges:
“Offensively, Mikal Bridges needs to take a step forward… lived in the midrange, very efficient at it… but those types of shots aren’t necessarily conducive to overall team functioning.”
– Host, [30:33] -
On Jalen Brunson’s role adjustment:
“I wonder if we’ll see him more as a spot up shooter in situations… when the game’s on the line, the ball goes to the best closer in basketball, which is him.”
– Host, [33:29] -
On team health:
“That’s awesome for OG, right? Mikal still, Iron Man. Towns didn’t have… anything during the season that was super—cost him to miss months… for an NBA team that played such high minutes, they were pretty healthy.”
– Host, [42:13] -
On the Eastern Conference race:
“In my head, I think it’s going to be [the Knicks and] Cleveland in the Eastern Conference finals… but I think the Knicks can get there.”
– Host, [46:54]
Memorable Moments & Quotes by Timestamp
| Timestamp | Quote/Insight | Speaker | |-----------|---------------|---------| | [01:50] | “They didn’t underperform in the slightest… projected to be bottom five…” | Law Murray | | [03:39] | “What John Collins gives you is something that the Clippers did not have last year…”| Law Murray | | [07:41] | “This is going to be the oldest team in the league or close to it. There are no breakout candidates.” | Law Murray | | [11:09] | “He [Kawhi] needs to play about 60 games… he needs to defend consistently well…” | Law Murray | | [18:00] | “Brad is a huge swing factor, not only on both sides of the floor, but just being on the floor to begin with, right?” | Law Murray | | [21:13] | “They need to win a playoff series… they are good enough to win a playoff series. Beyond that, I’m not ready to say the Clippers are contenders.” | Law Murray | | [28:27] | “I think collaboration’s big. Mike Brown has talked about them wanting to play fast…” | Host | | [30:33] | “Offensively, Mikal Bridges needs to take a step forward… really didn’t go the rim. Didn't draw a lot of fouls.” | Host | | [33:29] | “I wonder if we’ll see [Brunson] more as a spot up shooter… when the game's on the line, the ball goes to the best closer in basketball, which is him.” | Host | | [36:41] | “He [Hart] was the one that suggested that Mitch start for him in the playoffs… that’s just the kind of guy he is.” | Host | | [42:27] | “I’m not sure this is like, a team that can, like, go without one of its three best players for a long period of time and... still be NBA title contenders.” | Host | | [45:49] | “In my head, I think it’s going to be those two [Knicks & Cavs] in the Eastern Conference finals.” | Host |
Summary Table: Season Outlook
| Team | Optimism | Key Risks & X-Factors | Realistic Outcome | |--------------|----------|---------------------------------------------|-------------------------------| | Clippers | Roster flexibility, top-end talent, depth upgrades | Aging stars, Beal’s health, chemistry with new arrivals, playoff fatigue | Win a playoff series; uncertain beyond semifinals | | Knicks | Deep improved roster, locked core, coaching upgrade | Brown’s fit, health, Mikal & Brunson adjustments, potential center logjam/trade | East finals, could push for finals if healthy |
Conclusion
This episode presents a nuanced, candid discussion of both the Clippers’ and Knicks’ championship hopes—and their limitations. The Clippers face age and health-related questions despite an impressive roster shuffle, while the Knicks’ championship calculus will depend in part on the new Mike Brown era, multidimensional player development, and maintaining (rare) good injury fortune. Both teams' postseason success is framed as essential for justifying their expensive, all-in roster strategies.
For more analysis throughout the season, follow Dave DeFore, Law Murray, James Edwards III, and other Athletic NBA staff. New episodes drop Monday through Friday.