The Athletic NBA Daily – January 7, 2026

Episode Theme:
Is Trae Young heading to Washington? This episode explores the big trade rumor surrounding Trae Young and the Washington Wizards, reviews standout NBA games (notably Lakers–Pelicans, Grizzlies–Spurs, and Timberwolves–Heat), and provides an in-depth check-in on the Wizards' and Magic’s current situations with guest reporter Josh Robbins.

Main Topics and Segment Breakdown

1. Lakers vs. Pelicans & Trade Rumors

Timestamps: 01:43 – 03:18

• Lakers Rally for Win:
  The Pelicans led most of the game, but the Lakers, spearheaded by LeBron, overturned the deficit late.
  Zena Keda: “LeBron’s gonna LeBron. Luca… they cleaned it up at the end for sure.” (02:30)

• Trey Murphy’s Big Quarter:
  Trey Murphy exploded for a 20-point quarter, fueling speculation about his trade value. Dave DeFore: “Please trade for me, get me out of here, get me on the playoff team.” (02:39) Zena: Noted that Pelicans don't want to lose Murphy, but sees him as a top trade deadline option.

2. Grizzlies Upset Spurs – Wimby’s Return

Timestamps: 03:18 – 08:36

• Short-handed Grizzlies Steal Win:
  Grizzlies won despite missing Ja Morant, Cedric Coward, and Zach Edey. Cam Spencer led Memphis with 21 points. Zena Keda: “That baseline jumper with like 36 seconds left… he was doing that all night.” (04:23-04:42)

• Jaren Jackson Jr.’s Versatility:
  JJJ matched Spencer’s 21 points; his ability to pull Victor Wembanyama away from the rim was crucial. Zena: “He did a really great job, I think, of pulling Victor Webanyama away from the rim... most teams haven’t been able to do that consistently.” (04:42-05:50)

• Victor Wembanyama’s Return:

  • Scored 30 points in 21 minutes off the bench, looking fully recovered.
  • Noted for a viral pre-game “crane kick” to unstick basketballs from the net (referencing the Karate Kid). Zena: “30 points in 21 minutes… that karate chop is the most insane thing I’ve ever seen.” (06:54-07:48) Dave: “What is he gonna do, block a jump shot with his foot?” (07:48)

• Spurs Offensive Issues:
  Grizzlies' defense limited De’Aaron Fox (4-of-18 FG), Stefan Castle (5-of-14 FG), and Dylan Harper (2-of-7 FG). Dave: “If you can handle those guys, it doesn’t matter if Wemby goes off… one guy just can’t beat you in the NBA unless he’s putting up 60.” (08:01-08:36)

3. Timberwolves Blowout Heat – Are Minnesota Legit?

Timestamps: 09:35 – 15:45

• Wolves Crush Short-handed Heat:
  Wolves up to 6th seed at 24-13; recent form is strong (7 wins in last 10), but team remains inconsistent. Dave: “They also lost to the Nets... this has been the story for the last couple seasons.” (10:09-10:49)

• Team Identity and Energy:
  Zena: Praises team’s energy, bench celebration, and defensive effort, but notes past letdown games. “...they were disciplined, they were high energy, they were cheering for each other… and that's what you've really seen.” (10:49–12:18)

• Dante DiVincenzo and Bench Impact:

  • DiVincenzo’s shooting and defense stand out.
  • Nas Reed provides vital scoring off the bench; Timberwolves need bench offense when Gobert sits. Dave: “Nas Reed puts up 14 points, he’s plus 21 off the bench. Those are huge nights.” (12:40-12:55)

• Gobert’s Centrality & All-Star Case: Rudy Gobert labeled as keystone for Wolves’ top-5 defense. Dave: “It’s a top five defense and it’s because of Rudy Gobert… he is having an excellent season and one of the big problems has been the defensive drop off when he goes to the bench.” (12:27-12:39)

• Key Lineup Questions:
  Discussion about closing lineups & the balance between guards and bigs, notably where Nas Reed fits. Zena: “It's Randall and Gobert, right? It's working... they are outscoring opponents in the paint by 30 points.” (14:09-15:12)

4. Wizards’ Improved Play & Trae Young Trade Rumors

Guest: Josh Robbins
Timestamps: 19:04 – 34:18

A. Wizards’ Recent Turnaround

• Wizards recently 7–5 in last 12; better defense and more cohesion post November team meeting. Robbins: “A lot of it stems from a team meeting… The team has shown more fight ever since. There have been other factors too… all of these individual improvements… in part because the players are holding each other accountable.” (20:36)

• Young Talent Stepping Up:
  Standout growth from Alex Sarr (23 pts, 8 reb, 4 blk), Bub Carrington, and others.
  Robbins: “The ball moves...they're putting in good effort on defense… they play at a tempo other teams… would die for.” (20:36-21:59)

• Veteran Influence:
  Arrival of CJ McCollum & Khris Middleton stabilizes and mentors the young core. Robbins: “CJ McCollum and Chris Middleton, with an assist from Marvin Bagley, called [the players' meeting]... part of it is the team is healthier.” (22:57)

• Culture Shift:
  Benching of Cam Whitmore for lack of effort sets new standards; players replacing him (Justin Champagnie, Will Riley, Jameer Watkins) play harder and bring others with them. Robbins: “A rising tide lifts all boats. And that has played a role here. I… you can’t convince me otherwise.” (24:54)

B. Magic’s Injuries & Struggles

Timestamps: 25:29 – 28:53

• Team has underwhelmed, notably without Jaylen Suggs, Franz Wagner, and Mo Wagner (all injured).

• Jamal Mosley used bench unit to nearly rescue the game, sending a message about team effort. Robbins on Suggs:
  “He’s a straw who stirs the entire drink. He helps them get stops… there’s just something about the way he plays that changes things for them and they miss him terribly.” (26:53-27:06)

• Injury Updates:

  • Suggs: No set return date; out with MCL bruise.
  • Franz: High ankle sprain, not imminent.
  • Mo Wagner: ACL recovery, not expected back right away.

C. Trae Young to Wizards? Deep Dive

Timestamps: 29:28 – 34:18

• Rumors Gain Steam:

  • Confirmed the sides (Atlanta, Washington, Young’s agents) have spoken, but trade is not imminent. Robbins: “Atlanta and Washington or Trae Young's agents in Washington… did have a conversation about this. I don't think anything is imminent.” (30:15)

• Assets & Value Discussion:

  • Washington would almost certainly not give up valuable picks; if anything, Atlanta may need to attach more assets to move Young. Robbins: “I cannot envision any scenario in which outgoing picks from Washington to Atlanta outweigh the incoming picks from Atlanta to Washington. Just can't...” (30:57)

• On-Court Fit:

  • Trae Young makes sense for Wizards offensively, especially for pick-and-rolls with Alex Sarr and spacing for shooters. Robbins: “It would be a godsend for Alex Saar in the pick and roll.” (32:48)
  • Defensively, the move would pose major problems.
  • The trade would function as a low-risk, one-year trial for Washington with salary cap flexibility if it doesn’t work.

• Dave DeFore Summarizes: “If it all hits, hey, you won the lottery. I think it's a good move...I still think Trae Young's a pretty good player.” (34:03)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Grizzlies’ Cam Spencer:
  “That baseline jumper… that was the pickup hoops, short-corner jump shot you’re not allowed to take unless you’re Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Nikola Jokic. And Cam Spencer just dribbled straight down into that thing.”
  — Dave DeFore (04:31)

• On Wemby’s Pre-Game Karate Kick:
  “That karate chop is the most insane thing I’ve ever seen. I don’t care how many gyms I’ve been in, never would it occur to me, even if I was 7’5”, to do that.”
  — Zena Keda (07:02)

• On Timberwolves’ Improvements:
  “They were disciplined, they were high energy... that's what you've really seen over the last 10 games.”
  — Zena Keda (10:49)

• Josh Robbins on Wizards’ Culture:
  “A rising tide lifts all boats... when those three guys play, it elevates everybody else.” (24:54)

• On Trae Young Trade Value:
  “I cannot envision any scenario in which outgoing picks from Washington to Atlanta outweigh the incoming picks from Atlanta to Washington… If that were to happen, that would shock the living daylights out of me.”
  — Josh Robbins (31:20)

• On Trae Young’s Potential Fit in DC:
  “It would be a godsend for Alex Sarr in the pick and roll. Offensively it makes a ton of sense. Defensively it makes no sense.”
  — Josh Robbins (32:48–32:59)

Episode Summary

This episode analyzes important recent NBA games (Lakers–Pelicans, Grizzlies–Spurs, Wolves–Heat), highlighting big individual performances and key moments, like Trey Murphy’s trade showcase and Victor Wembanyama’s dramatic return. Special guest Josh Robbins delivers robust reporting on the Wizards’ promising turnaround, the veteran impact of CJ McCollum and Khris Middleton, and changing standards of effort in DC. The show’s headline segment unpacks the logic, probabilities, and implications of a possible Wizards–Trae Young trade, ultimately framing it as a smart, low-risk upside move for DC if the deal doesn’t cost premium assets. The Magic’s injury woes are detailed, underlining their ongoing struggles and interlinked fortunes as the trade deadline approaches.

Listen for:

• Sharp banter, insightful breakdowns, and clear-eyed trade analysis in the fast, engaging style characteristic of The Athletic NBA Daily.