Our NBA Offseason Awards: Part 2

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Athletic NBA Daily – "Our NBA Offseason Awards: Part 2"

Release Date: July 19, 2025

Welcome to a comprehensive summary of "Our NBA Offseason Awards: Part 2," an engaging episode of The Athletic NBA Daily hosted by Dave DeFore, Alex Spears, and Andrew Schlecht. This episode delves into various unique awards that highlight notable offseason moves, team performances, and speculative futures in the NBA. Below is a detailed breakdown of the key discussions, insights, and conclusions drawn during the episode.

---

1. Introduction

[01:50] Dave DeFore opens the episode by announcing the continuation of their NBA Offseason Awards series. The hosts prepare to explore different categories that spotlight standout performances and decisions from the offseason.

---

2. Dream Scenario Award

Award Description: Awarded to the player who has changed teams during the offseason and is now in the perfect spot to excel.

Discussion:

• Andrew Schlecht nominates DeAndre Ayton for this award, emphasizing his move to the Los Angeles Lakers as an ideal fit.

  Quote:

  "[02:48] Andrew Schlecht: I think that if DeAndre Ayton is going to work, it's going to be in Los Angeles."

• Dave DeFore and Alex Spears express strong support, highlighting the synergy Ayton could have alongside LeBron James and Luke Doncic, creating a formidable trio.

  Quote:

  "[03:08] Andrew Schlecht: In LeBron and Luke, like, all he has to do is catch the ball and finish. That's all he's got to do."

Insights:

• The move is seen as a significant boost for Ayton's career, providing him with top-tier playmakers and a platform to showcase his talents.
• The Lakers' enhanced size and playmaking create expectations for them to secure a top-four position in the Western Conference.

---

3. Cool Your Jets Award

Award Description: Given to the team whose offseason is perceived as overrated by most NBA fans.

Discussion:

• Dave DeFore nominates the Houston Rockets, focusing on their acquisition of Kevin Durant as overrated due to Durant’s injury proneness and frequent team changes.

  Quote:

  "[11:48] Dave DeFore: Is it the Rockets? Is it the Rockets?"

• The hosts discuss Durant's track record of injuries and the uncertainty his addition brings to the Rockets' offensive capabilities.

  Quote:

  "[12:06] Alex Spears: Kevin Durant, like twilight years. I think he'll probably play a long, long time."

Insights:

• The Rockets' reliance on Durant poses risks, especially if he misses significant time, potentially crippling their offensive strategies.
• The team’s existing defensive strengths might mitigate some issues, but offensive struggles remain a concern without Durant's consistent presence.

---

4. It Ain't Much But It's Honest Work Award

Award Description: Recognizes a favorite small offseason move that has minimal impact on the championship race but is still appreciated.

Discussion:

• Andrew Schlecht highlights the Portland Trail Blazers’ acquisition of Drew Holiday, appreciating his veteran presence and potential mentorship for young players like Scoot Henderson.

  Quote:

  "[19:32] Andrew Schlecht: I just like the Blazers getting Drew Holiday in the door."

• The move is viewed as "honest work" because it brings experience without altering the championship landscape.

  Quote:

  "[19:35] Alex Spears: He may not. He's not the same defender."

Insights:

• While Drew Holiday may not dramatically change the Blazers’ prospects, his role as a mentor and steady presence is valued.
• Such moves are appreciated for their practicality and contribution to team cohesion without being headline-grabbing.

---

5. Is This It Award

Award Description: Given to the team whose offseason failed to meet expectations, leading to disappointment.

Discussion:

• Dave DeFore selects the Utah Jazz, criticizing their offseason inactivity and ineffective roster maneuvers, including trading key players like Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell without significant returns.

  Quote:

  "[26:35] Dave DeFore: How about the Utah Jazz?"

• The hosts express frustration over Utah’s inability to capitalize on their assets and improve their roster, leaving fans disheartened.

  Quote:

  "[27:12] Dave DeFore: It is bad."

Insights:

• The Jazz’s strategy is seen as ineffective, lacking clear direction and failing to build a competitive team.
• Comparisons are drawn to other teams like the Thunder, questioning how long Utah can maintain fan support amid prolonged underperformance.

---

6. Time Traveler from April 2026 Award

Award Description: Imagines having insights from April 2026 about a specific NBA team’s trajectory between the current time and April 2026.

Discussion:

• Dave DeFore selects the Milwaukee Bucks, seeking clarity on whether the team will have a successful season centered around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Dame, and the impact of signing Miles Turner.

  Quote:

  "[37:32] Dave DeFore: Milwaukee Bucks."

• Alex Spears and Andrew Schlecht engage in speculative discussion about the Bucks' potential success, Giannis’ health, and the team's strategic moves.

  Quote:

  "[37:58] Alex Spears: So what do you think the percentage chances that Kyle Kuzma and that future unprotected pick are still on this roster after February."

Insights:

• The uncertainty surrounding Giannis’ tenure with the Bucks and the effectiveness of their roster changes fuels excitement and speculation.
• The award highlights the desire for definitive answers on team performance and player contributions over the next season.

---

7. Conclusion

The episode concludes with light-hearted banter among the hosts, reflecting on their discussions and teasing future segments. Dave DeFore jokingly penalizes himself for going out of turn, while Andrew Schlecht and Alex Spears maintain a playful dynamic. The hosts wrap up by expressing gratitude to listeners and hinting at upcoming topics.

Final Quote:

"[41:36] Andrew Schlecht: Taylor Hendricks jersey."

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Andrew Schlecht on DeAndre Ayton's Move:

  "[02:48] Andrew Schlecht: I think that if DeAndre Ayton is going to work, it's going to be in Los Angeles."

• Dave DeFore on Kevin Durant's Impact:

  "[12:06] Alex Spears: Kevin Durant, like twilight years. I think he'll probably play a long, long time."

• Andrew Schlecht on Portland's Drew Holiday:

  "[19:32] Andrew Schlecht: I just like the Blazers getting Drew Holiday in the door."

• Dave DeFore Criticizing Utah Jazz:

  "[26:35] Dave DeFore: How about the Utah Jazz?"

• Dave DeFore Selecting Milwaukee Bucks for Time Traveler Award:

  "[37:32] Dave DeFore: Milwaukee Bucks."

---

Key Takeaways

1. Strategic Team Moves: The offseason is marked by significant player movements, with some decisions poised to elevate teams (e.g., Ayton to Lakers) and others facing skepticism (e.g., Rockets acquiring Durant).

2. Veteran Presence Matters: Acquisitions like Drew Holiday are valued for experience and mentorship, even if they don't drastically alter team dynamics.

3. Fan Sentiment: Teams like the Utah Jazz suffer from disappointing offseason strategies, affecting fan morale and support.

4. Speculation and Future Planning: The Time Traveler Award underscores the intrigue and uncertainty surrounding team trajectories, emphasizing the importance of strategic planning and player health.

5. Host Dynamics: The hosts maintain an engaging and dynamic discussion, blending critical analysis with humor and camaraderie.

This episode of The Athletic NBA Daily offers insightful perspectives on the NBA's offseason, highlighting both optimistic moves and questionable decisions. Whether you're an avid basketball fan or a casual follower, the discussions provide a deeper understanding of the intricate dynamics shaping the upcoming NBA season.

Transcript

[Intuit Representative]

Do you own a business that's ready to thrive? It's time to let Intuit QuickBooks take things like unpaid invoices and tracking expenses off your plate so that you can take things to the next level. Intuit QuickBooks is a powerful AI driven all in one business solution that can help with day to day tasks like invoicing expenses and taxes. QuickBooks can help you unlock the growth of your business so that you can get back to enjoying your business. Manage and grow your business all in one place. Intuit QuickBooks your way to money. Get 90% off for 3 months limited time only. Terms and conditions apply. Money movement services are provided by Intuit Payments Incorporated. Licensed as a money transmitter by the New York State Department of Financial Services.

[Boost Mobile Representative]

Listen up. You can get the new iPhone 16e with Apple Intelligence for just $49.99 when you switch to Boost Mobile. We pulled so many all nighters to give you this deal and hey, stop messing with the mic.

[Dave DeFore]

I'm just helping us catch people's attention.

[Alex Spears]

This is great deal.

[Boost Mobile Representative]

Exactly. So it doesn't need all that.

[Dave DeFore]

Fine.

[Boost Mobile Representative]

Head to your nearest Boost Mobile store right now.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Visit your nearest Boost mobile store for full offer details. Apple Intelligence requires iOS 18.1 or later.

[Dave DeFore]

Restrictions apply.

[Bluehost Representative]

I'm no tech genius, but I knew if I wanted my business to crush it, I needed a website. Now thankfully, bluehost made it easy. I customized, optimized and monetized everything exactly how I wanted with AI. In minutes. My site was up. I couldn't believe it. The search engine tools even helped me get more site visitors. Whatever your passion project is, you can set it up with Bluehost. With their 30 day money back guarantee, what have you got to lose? Head to bluehost.com to start now.

[Dave DeFore]

Good morning and welcome Back to the NBA Daily Live from Summer League. I'm Dave DeFore here with Alex Spears and Andrew Schlecht. Part two of our off season awards, Alex Spears style.

[Alex Spears]

We're having a good time to jump right into it now as a reminder of the rules, in case you guys forgot, which would be so embarrassing, but I'm going to alternate between you two for the awards. You cannot choose the same thing. So if the guy before you chooses what you're going to say, you have to change, I will not accept the same answer. Okay? Okay. So our first award today is the Dream Scenario Award. This award goes to the player who changed teams this summer that you think is now in the perfect spot for them. And Andrew. I'm going to start with you the perfect spot. Perfect spot, job. Maybe you didn't love where they were originally or you felt like, oh, if they could just get somewhere where they play a little differently.

[Andrew Schlecht]

People may not like this answer.

[Alex Spears]

I'm going to hate it.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I think that if deandre Ayden is going to work, it's going to be in Los Angeles.

[Dave DeFore]

I love that answer.

[Andrew Schlecht]

So I, I think that this is his dream scenario. He's playing. We think he's going to be playing with two of the best passers ever to play the game.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schlecht]

In LeBron and Luke, like, all he has to do is catch the ball and finish. That's all he's got to do. And then care about defense. And if he can do those two things, he's going to be awesome.

[Dave DeFore]

Right.

[Andrew Schlecht]

For the Lakers. He is so talented. He's the number one pick for a reason.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schlecht]

So I think that deandre Ayton has been given such a huge gift and being able to sign the Lakers and I think, like, I honestly think it's gonna work.

[Alex Spears]

To what degree?

[Andrew Schlecht]

I don't know.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schlecht]

But I do think, like, this is going to be a success for Ayton.

[Alex Spears]

And for the Lakers.

[Andrew Schlecht]

And if it's not like, boom, it's over, it's done. Like, the experiments are over. Like, the whole Aiden thing is just absolutely.

[Alex Spears]

What are your, your guys's opinions? Big picture by the Lakers. Because I do feel like there's a lot of negative energy right now about the Lakers and maybe part of that is just the LeBron question mark.

[Dave DeFore]

Right.

[Alex Spears]

Maybe it's all that.

[Dave DeFore]

It's like a cloud hanging over the entire thing.

[Alex Spears]

But like, that team was very good after that trade. They finished as the third seed in the West.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Right. They were the team that, that Thunder fans were most scared of. Right.

[Alex Spears]

In particular.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yeah.

[Alex Spears]

Those final two games we played against them. Terrified. So. But Andrew, it sounds like you're a little bit more positive. So do you guys still think that this should be a team in contention for a top six spot or a home court advantage?

[Dave DeFore]

I think they're on that bubble. I think they're on the play in top six bubble. You know, if Ayton is good as he can be.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

Then they could be a top four team in the West. Right. Like, they have more size now. We, you know, they got LeBron and him and Luka. That's the highest level playmaking you can possibly get.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

You know, we've all seen skinny Luka. Right.

[Alex Spears]

Looks great.

[Dave DeFore]

I mean, he's looking good. You see the little vein in his arm coming out. So he's clearly like in the weight room. Right. So maybe he's super fit and doesn't have a down year, you know, or as far as health goes, because his calf has been a huge issue for like three years now.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah, that's true.

[Dave DeFore]

So hopefully he's healthy. I'm pretty. I'm pretty okay on the Lakers. Like, I think they've done okay. Jake Laravia is fine. Right?

[Alex Spears]

Like he's.

[Dave DeFore]

You lose Dorian Finney Smith and it's a downgrade to Jake Laravia. But Jake Laravia can play. I mean, a lot of Memphis folks are upset.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Is he a top eight playoff player?

[Dave DeFore]

Probably not.

[Andrew Schlecht]

All right.

[Alex Spears]

Doesn't he have to be? Yeah, in this context, he has to be.

[Dave DeFore]

He maybe has to be, but we'll see.

[Andrew Schlecht]

That's what I'm saying is like, cool, you got him.

[Dave DeFore]

But it's all going to be. I mean, they get to play off of luka Doncic and LeBron James. So I think like Jake Laravia is probably going to look the best he's ever looked.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I think you just need defenders around those guys, though.

[Dave DeFore]

I agree with that.

[Andrew Schlecht]

That's the biggest thing. Why have we not learned this lesson that you need guys that can shoot threes and play defense? That's all you need around those guys.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah, yeah.

[Andrew Schlecht]

It's literally the only thing that you need.

[Dave DeFore]

They don't grow on trees, though. And the problem that the Lakers have is that they're running on this.

[Andrew Schlecht]

They have one in Finney Smith, though.

[Dave DeFore]

But they're thinking too much about that long term money. They are clearly not trying to win a title next season. I would say that somebody explained to.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Me Laravia being like this long this first phone call. And I just not even like negotiating and, you know, goodwill with Dorian, Vinnie Smith, who is.

[Dave DeFore]

It makes no sense.

[Andrew Schlecht]

They understand.

[Dave DeFore]

It makes no sense to me. Jake Laravia being your first call on free agency, which apparently Rob Polinka is very serious about, not getting hit with tampering charges. Yeah, but Jake Laravia being your first phone call. I'm sorry, it's a little bit sad because you're the Lakers.

[Andrew Schlecht]

You're the Lakers.

[Dave DeFore]

And to lose a player like Dorian Finney Smith to the Rockets is even more embarrassing to me. Like Luka and Dorian Finney Smith are tight. How do you let that happen, Lucas, by the way, Luka might be a free agent and I think if I'm the Lakers, I'm thinking about that. Like Luka is not going to Want to lose. Like all of this talk about LeBron saying hey, I'm not comfortable with them thinking about long term. Instead of trying to win now, Luca wants to win now. This guy was just in the finals.

[Alex Spears]

I do think that some of the negative talk about the Lakers is kind of underselling the possibility of what a career year Luka would look like. The effect that would have because his best season was two years ago, that 2324 season when the Mavericks won 50 games. He played 70 games during that season. Like if he comes back healthy and plays a full season, I just don't think people are fully baking in how good of a player. Like that's like prime Harden level floor raiser, like four in the NBA. Yeah.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Right.

[Alex Spears]

Where like you can just throw them out with anyone and win 50 games. So. Well.

[Andrew Schlecht]

And he's had a longer summer.

[Alex Spears]

Yes.

[Andrew Schlecht]

He played until the finals the year.

[Dave DeFore]

Before and the year before that he played in the World cup and went deep in the World Cup.

[Andrew Schlecht]

So he's had more rest than he's had in a long time. Right.

[Alex Spears]

So you both are taking Lakers over it sounds like.

[Dave DeFore]

I think so. Well, what's the number?

[Andrew Schlecht]

What is the. I don't know.

[Dave DeFore]

Let me find out where we're at.

[Alex Spears]

58.5.

[Andrew Schlecht]

That's not right.

[Alex Spears]

No, I'm just kidding. I don't know.

[Andrew Schlecht]

It is like absolutely.

[Alex Spears]

You guys already committed to it.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Absolutely not.

[Alex Spears]

I'll look it up. In the meantime.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Actually we were all over the place in the Lakers.

[Dave DeFore]

We kind of were. Yeah. I like what they're doing theoretically because I think Aiden and I mean obviously Aiden is a skilled player. It's just about him putting the pieces together.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

Luka is a guy I think can really make Aiden look special and, and Aiden clearly, I mean from a skill and just physicality standpoint, like the way he moves. Ayton is great. Can he be more forceful? Stop like stop shooting these little fadeaways and I like the jump hook but he needs to like go at the basket some. He's shot one and a half free throws a game.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah. But on the other hand a lot of those shots that he's taking in the mid range, they're going to be wide open.

[Dave DeFore]

The mid range is great. I actually think he can live there. He shoots like KD in the mid range.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

The sun's like low key. That title run that they went on, a lot of that was just how good Ayton and Booker were and Chris Paul were at eating up that mid range shot.

[Alex Spears]

So I feel like every game during that playoff run there was like some new stat about DeAndre.

[Dave DeFore]

Right.

[Alex Spears]

Like no one shot this high percentage over this amount of playoff games. Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah.

[Alex Spears]

Okay, Dave, who is in your dream scenario?

[Dave DeFore]

I'm going to go with Brook Lopez.

[Alex Spears]

Brook Lopez.

[Dave DeFore]

All right. Brook Lopez, he's. He's old. Right. He needs to be a backup.

[Alex Spears]

Confirmed.

[Dave DeFore]

Needs to be a backup now. Lives close to Disneyland. You know, he's going to be adjacent to Disneyland. But also for the, for the Clippers. They needed a real high level backup for Zubac. I mean, by the time that they get. I mean, they're playing the Nuggets.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

And Zubot is wrecked by the end of that series. Every time he left the court, they fell apart. It's kind of. It's kind of like what Denver had. Right. Like, that's why they went out and get Jonas Valentunas. And so I think Brook Lopez, man, that's. That's about as high level backup as you can get. If Zoo has to miss a game, like, if Zoo gets hurt, you now have got incredible insurance. That defense is going to be so solid for the full 48 minutes.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

And you've got a big. Who can space the floor like Brook Lopez that they've needed in the Clippers. Because getting him out of the paint is going to allow Harden to drive. It's going to allow Kawhi to get into the spaces that he wants to be in. I think that this is like a really great fit for a guy who is on his way out. Right. Like.

[Alex Spears]

Right.

[Dave DeFore]

And he hasn't totally lost a step. Like he's, he's slower than he was and he's not as good at protecting the rim. But he hasn't experienced this drop off like most guys his size do. It's a little bit like Al Horford. Like, how is Al Horford still doing this? I have no idea. Brook Lopez, similar. And I think that this allows him to kind of preserve himself a little bit. He's going to play 15, 20 minutes a night at most. I think he's a great fit.

[Alex Spears]

I remember that deal he signed. I guess it was two years ago when. When the Rockets were going after him.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah.

[Alex Spears]

And then at that point it felt like, oh, my gosh, the Bucs just spent so much money on Brook Lopez. He's obviously going to fall apart. And the fact that he's still contributing at a pretty high level. And now he's going to be in a perfect position because he's a backup.

[Dave DeFore]

He Makes the clip. I mean, if you think about it, if the Clippers had him in that series against the Nuggets. Yeah, I, I don't think the Nuggets get out of that series. I think that that is such a. It's such a massive upgrade over what they were doing. I mean, Ben Simmons was the backup center a lot. I mean, it was absurd for them. So I mean, it's a huge upgrade. And then John Collins, like they got big.

[Alex Spears]

They did.

[Dave DeFore]

I think Brook is. Imagine Brook and John Collins both out there. That's a lot of space.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

I don't know. I like it.

[Alex Spears]

Our next award, the cool your jets award. This award goes to the team whose off season you think is getting a little overrated by most NBA fans. Dave, we're going to start with you.

[Dave DeFore]

Is it the Rockets? Is it the Rockets?

[Alex Spears]

I don't know.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Okay, you tell me.

[Dave DeFore]

Kevin Durant.

[Alex Spears]

Yes.

[Dave DeFore]

How many teams has he been on now?

[Alex Spears]

OKC, Golden State, Brooklyn, Phoenix, 5.

[Dave DeFore]

How many coaches has he had?

[Alex Spears]

I don't want to do that.

[Dave DeFore]

Exactly.

[Alex Spears]

That's going to take long.

[Dave DeFore]

So. All right, we're at the point now Kevin Durant, like twilight years. I think he'll probably play a long, long time. Right. Like he just is. That's all he cares about is basketball.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

But he is now at this point injury prone. Like beyond just a guy like who's had some injuries.

[Alex Spears]

He's injury just based on his age.

[Dave DeFore]

I mean we watched him sprain his ankle in a warm up and it was a freak thing.

[Alex Spears]

But.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah, but that is like he's old and the Achilles, you know, this is like a real thing. Like he's going to miss 20, 25 games. Can they withstand that? Jalen Green, for all of his warts. That dude, he scored every night for them and he was there in every single game. And having these guys who can eat minutes and eat innings, you need them. And if their best player is Kevin Durant and he's going to miss any significant time in the season, they're going to struggle when he's out. They already struggle offensively. He's going to. He's really going to be this huge. What is that stuff called, the plexi seal or whatever where the guy slaps the big thing.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Flex seal.

[Dave DeFore]

Flex seal. Thank you. He's going to be this team's flex seal to hide the warts of their offense that doesn't exist. Right.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

So he's coming in and he's just going to be this big time shot maker. But if he's not out there, what happens?

[Alex Spears]

I guess. Well, it depends. Is Fred Vanvli going to be healthy? Because, like, Fred Lambleet's so important to what they do. But I don't know. I just. I'm not too worried because I feel like their defense gives them such a high floor, especially in the regular season, that I do feel like they're going to be able to manage now. If. If Katie's missing, like, half the season. Well, yeah, then maybe it's something different. But he. If he's playing like 60 games this year, I think that will be fine.

[Dave DeFore]

We'll see. I don't know. I think it's going to be. I just think it's going to be glaring when he's. When he's not on the court.

[Alex Spears]

I do agree with that. I mean, especially offensively.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah.

[Alex Spears]

But I just love the backbone that they have on that team with their defensive.

[Dave DeFore]

I love all their guys. I mean, I like the team a lot, but I think that this idea that adding KD now makes them like, oh, their title contender. They were a fake two seed last year. Right. Like, they were. They were a deep team that.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

It was so obvious that they were going to lose in the first round of the playoffs. We talked about it probably in January for the first.

[Alex Spears]

They just couldn't stop.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah. So I think that while this is a good. They had a good summer.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

I don't think that this is, like, I'm not thinking about the Rockets and the. And the title next year.

[Alex Spears]

So I've been thinking about that too, because you look at the odds, and the Thunder have the number one odds in the West. And then you have Denver and Houston Tide.

[Dave DeFore]

Right.

[Alex Spears]

I think it was like plus 500 last time I checked. And I feel like those teams are different in terms of, like, championship equity.

[Dave DeFore]

Right.

[Alex Spears]

And I do not think they should be on the same tier with each other. I. In fact, I would feel better about having Denver much closer to OKC and then Houston being in that next year. Right now, Houston may be the number one seed in the west if they're healthy.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah.

[Alex Spears]

But I do. I do kind of agree with that overall question of championship equity.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Right.

[Alex Spears]

Okay. Andrew, now, you already cooled your jets on the Knicks last time we spoke.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I did.

[Alex Spears]

Do you want to clear jets on them again?

[Andrew Schlecht]

No, I gotta have a new. A new fan base, too. To upset.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I. I just think there's way too much talk about Luke Cornette.

[Dave DeFore]

Oh, my God. This is shots fired at me. And s. Yes.

[Alex Spears]

I Feel ye chose.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Cool your jets, Luke Cornett.

[Alex Spears]

People, what's your problem? I mean I know that we talk.

[Dave DeFore]

What's your problem, buddy?

[Alex Spears]

I know we talked. What's your problem on Slammin Jam? Because I talked about that Owen Phillips article on the F5 where he looked at like who is truly the most underrated player and he based it on like statistical advanced stats and then basketball reference page views like yeah, who does no one care about? And Luke Cornett came out as the winner of that. Yeah. And then he showed some stats like, look at this. What this guy does in the pick and roll. Like wait, what, what, what does he need to do, Andrew? Like he's, he's in such a great.

[Andrew Schlecht]

It's not position. It has nothing to do with Luke Cornett. It's just that people just talking too much about it.

[Alex Spears]

Do you think it's kind of like the Wimby spurs rubbing off on anyone?

[Andrew Schlecht]

They, they, anything they do is like, oh my gosh, how do we let.

[Dave DeFore]

Them do the podcasters like Luke Cornette too much.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

And the podfast father hates it.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yeah. I'm just saying cool your jets.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah. You're not saying it's bad.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I'm not saying it's bad.

[Dave DeFore]

It's good signing.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I'm not saying they shouldn't have done it.

[Alex Spears]

You're just saying cool your jets.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Your jets are a little too hot.

[Dave DeFore]

We've talked about Luke Cornett a lot.

[Andrew Schlecht]

It's a lot of Luke Cornet.

[Dave DeFore]

I, I, Okay.

[Andrew Schlecht]

A little too much Luke Cornette for my taste.

[Alex Spears]

Wimy is also like the ultimate player for you could literally add anybody, anybody and I that's gonna look okay.

[Dave DeFore]

But Luke Cornett and Wimby on the court together, if they ever do it, is objectively amazing.

[Alex Spears]

I'm not cooling my jets.

[Dave DeFore]

Crazy, right? Like I would like to see that. I mean I think the spurs, it's going to be fun.

[Andrew Schlecht]

You want to win the title?

[Dave DeFore]

Cornett is a great signing.

[Alex Spears]

There we go.

[Intuit Representative]

Are you a business owner looking to grow your business? You did what most dream of doing. Start your own business. And now you're faced with the reality of how to make your small business run smooth, smoothly, intuit. QuickBooks can help. QuickBooks is a powerful AI driven all in one business solution. That means those day to day tasks, invoicing expenses, taxes, can be done effortlessly. But here's where it gets really good. You don't need to hire a team of analysts to find growth opportunities hiding in your business data. QuickBooks can help with cash flow optimization, profit and loss analysis. It helps you see how your business is doing and uncover new ways to be more profitable. QuickBooks can help you unlock the growth of your business so that you can get back to enjoying your business. Manage and grow your business all in one place. Intuit QuickBooks your way to money get 90% off for 3 months limited time only. Terms and conditions apply. Money Movement services are provided by Intuit Payments Incorporated, Licensed as a money transmitter by the New York State Department of Financial Services.

[Boost Mobile Representative]

This is not a drill. You can get the new iPhone 16e with Apple Intelligence for just $49.99 when you switch to Boost Mobile.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Wait, that's the actual fire alarm? We need to go visit your nearest.

[Dave DeFore]

Boost Mobile store for full offer details.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Apple Intelligence requires iOS 18.1 or later. Restrictions apply.

[Bluehost Representative]

Got a new puppy or kitten? Congrats. But also yikes. Between crates, beds, toys, treats and those first few vet visits, you've probably already dropped a small fortune. Which is where Le Lemonade Pet Insurance comes in. It helps you cover vet costs so that you can focus on what's best for you and your new pet. The coverage is customizable, sign up is quick and easy, and your claims are handled in as little as three seconds. Lemonade offers a package specifically for puppies and kittens. Get a'llemonade.com pet your future self will thank you. Your pet won't. They don't know what insurance is.

[Alex Spears]

So Andrew, we just completely ridiculed everything you just said, so we cancel.

[Dave DeFore]

Sorry you're so wrong, Andrew.

[Alex Spears]

But here. Here's the good news. Andrew, you get first dibs on this next question.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Alex Spears]

This next award, the It Ain't Much But It's Honest Work award. This award goes to your favorite small off season move that will have zero impact on next year's championship race. Just a signing you liked.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Can it be a trade? It could be a trade.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah, it could be trade.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I just like the Blazers getting Drew Holiday in the door.

[Alex Spears]

Really? Okay. I feel like that's still very near.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yeah, I know a lot of people don't like it. I just like getting an adult in the room with this team that like has been there, has done so much in the NBA. He may not. He's not the same defender. He's not the same player that he was. I just think having a guy to come in and mentor a guy like Scoot Henderson, I think that's huge. I think it's a big deal for them. So I really like the idea of him coming in now, is it going to move the needle for next year as far as, like, anything? No, but I like it. It's honest work.

[Alex Spears]

Now, how do you feel about the potential that we could be in year three of scu? Henderson. And once again he'll be coming off the bench because, like, Jrue Holliday's going to start.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah, you have to start, Drew.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yeah, I don't. I mean, I don't know. I just. I like adding. I just add, like, not even. It doesn't have to be about Scoot. Henderson.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Adding him to that Blazers team in general.

[Dave DeFore]

Do we think he's going to play for them?

[Andrew Schlecht]

I think so. Why is he not. Why do people think that he's not.

[Dave DeFore]

I don't.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Help me. Help me with that.

[Dave DeFore]

Does he feel like. Doesn't he feel like a piece that they could maybe flip to a contender?

[Andrew Schlecht]

I just don't know that you. I mean, maybe, maybe, maybe. I'm not saying. I know.

[Dave DeFore]

Sure.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I just. I like the idea of having veterans like that on a young team that made a lot of progress.

[Dave DeFore]

Right. But Drew Holiday might be too good of a player to. To be in Portland, if that makes sense for a team that's like, at the level that they're at. They're not ready to compete.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I don't think he's that guy anymore, though.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah, maybe not.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I don't think. I don't think he's that good anymore.

[Dave DeFore]

Peyton Pritchards was. Was taking his minutes last year.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yeah. I.

[Alex Spears]

Six man of a year, though.

[Dave DeFore]

Right?

[Alex Spears]

I mean.

[Dave DeFore]

Right.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I. I would just say that I like having a guy like that with that experience. It's honest work.

[Dave DeFore]

Sure.

[Alex Spears]

And honestly, I think that they saw what happened in the second half of that season and they were like, we're not tanking. We're not going to be able to tank anymore.

[Dave DeFore]

They're too good to tank. But they may not be good enough to like to have Jrue Holiday. Like, it's a luxury. Right. Like, I think that they may get an offer that they can't refuse. This is not a.

[Andrew Schlecht]

And that would be great for them.

[Dave DeFore]

Right.

[Andrew Schlecht]

That would be amazing for them.

[Dave DeFore]

Right. It's a good.

[Andrew Schlecht]

It's honest work.

[Dave DeFore]

It is.

[Alex Spears]

Okay, Dave, so who is your pick for the. It ain't.

[Dave DeFore]

I don't even know if this is honest work, because how do you get Norm Powell for free?

[Alex Spears]

Yeah, it is nice.

[Dave DeFore]

The Miami Heat were just given a gift.

[Alex Spears]

How do you feel, though? About like the Clippers wanted to move on from him because they were not comfortable with the idea of paying him Right. Next year. So if you're the Heat, although I would say, like based on what they gave up, even if this is a one year rental, it's great. But what do you think about long term, the idea of paying Norpell on that team?

[Dave DeFore]

I think you gotta. You probably should do it. I mean, again, he's a. He's gonna be an all star in the East. Right.

[Alex Spears]

You know what?

[Dave DeFore]

Think about that.

[Alex Spears]

Okay. So me and Andrew, every summer on Slammin Jam, we do. We try to predict the first time All Stars.

[Dave DeFore]

Oh, yeah.

[Alex Spears]

Because on average there's six, which is a crazy number. That's a great one.

[Dave DeFore]

He might. I mean like he's that level of.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Player for 10 years.

[Alex Spears]

Oh, that would be an awesome one.

[Andrew Schlecht]

It'd be a great one.

[Dave DeFore]

And so think about. Just think about the guys that Miami was playing last year. He'll be. Is he the best player on the team? That's not. Bam. Out of bio. I mean, second best player on the team.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Is he better than Hero?

[Dave DeFore]

I think he is.

[Alex Spears]

Are we going to be having. Who do you take over the All Star game? Hero.

[Dave DeFore]

Hero or it. I mean, maybe I'm both. Well, probably not. Because is Miami going to be good enough or to matter? I think that this is such a move in a positive direction for the Heat. They had nothing going for him. Right, Right. The Jimmy Butler thing, they lucked into getting Andrew Wiggins. I think that's worked out. And now they've been gifted. Norm Powell, like they were looking like another play in. In. In a year where it would be inexcusable for a team that thinks it's any good.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

To miss the playoffs.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Wait, you. You don't you think that he pushes them past the play in?

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah, I think they can be the six seed because the east is going to be down next year. It's gonna be a down year.

[Andrew Schlecht]

These is down every year.

[Dave DeFore]

That's true. But it's especially down. Like the Celtics are out. The Pacers are out.

[Andrew Schlecht]

You think the Celtics are just out?

[Dave DeFore]

I don't think that they're going to be very good. They lost too many guys.

[Andrew Schlecht]

They lost a lot of guys. They lost a lot of guys.

[Dave DeFore]

I mean, it's gonna be Derrick White and Jalen Brown and.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Three best players.

[Dave DeFore]

Who's their center?

[Andrew Schlecht]

We're the best three players on the team.

[Dave DeFore]

It's Bam Adebio, Tyler Herro, Norm Powell.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yep, it is.

[Alex Spears]

But in the East.

[Dave DeFore]

In the east sounds pretty good. 16. The JB league that they could be the 16th. So I, I think just if you, you know, you get Norm Powell just served to you on a, on a platter. That's.

[Andrew Schlecht]

He's 32.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah. Oh, he's ancient.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I'm just, I'm just saying the number. Just saying it.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah, but I would sign them because you don't. They don't get anyone anyway. Like, they're not even getting free agent meetings.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Who is the real Norman Powell would be my question too.

[Dave DeFore]

Oh, I think we saw a lot of it the last couple seasons in, in la. Yeah.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I don't. I mean, do you think that he's going to take 16 shots a game for the Heat?

[Alex Spears]

Oh, man.

[Dave DeFore]

How about 18?

[Alex Spears]

Yeah, bump it up.

[Dave DeFore]

Who, who else is shooting like Wiggins. Wiggins going to give you like 12, like 12 shots a game maybe.

[Alex Spears]

I think you want Davion Mitchell shooting 20.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yeah.

[Alex Spears]

Actually, yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

You don't want 43% three point shooter Norm Powell.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I like Norm Powell. I. It's fine to get him in the capacity that they did. I just don't know if I want to pay him if I'm the Heat because I just don't know where I'm going.

[Dave DeFore]

Well, as this team lays out, this has no effect on the championship race whatsoever because the Heat are not good enough. And for them, they just need to, they need, they need somebody who can get in there and doggy paddle because that's all the Miami Heat do. Yeah, right. They just. We're going to hang out right here in this warm seven seed.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yeah, I know. It's just, it's just a non plan.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah. And I think when you can get Norm Powell to continue that, I mean, he keeps you there by himself. I think they maybe break out, get to succeed, but they're not winning like in the playoffs.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I know. I just, I hate this style of like team building. It's just my least favorite style of team they're doing.

[Dave DeFore]

It's kind of like what the Raptors have done.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yes.

[Alex Spears]

Well, it feels like you're just waiting for like the big move, but always going to have this free age half decade of that.

[Dave DeFore]

They're. You know what they're selling us. AI. It's the same thing. Right. The next version is going to wash your dishes, it's going to walk your dog, it's going to be your girlfriend, it's going to do all these things. That's the Miami Heat.

[Alex Spears]

Wow. That's. That didn't sound as positive as you were just talking about. Norm Pal.

[Dave DeFore]

Wow. I love Norm Pal.

[Alex Spears]

Okay. Honest worker, honest work. Okay, we have two more awards. Our next one, the Is this it award. Now this award goes to the team whose offseason disappointed you the most based on your expectation heading the offseason. So maybe in the off season you would have done a pod, say, oh, I just can't wait to see what this team does. Look at all these possibilities that are out there for them. And now that you've seen what they've done with it, you're like, doesn't do a lot for me. So Dave, who would you pick for that?

[Dave DeFore]

How about the Utah Jazz?

[Alex Spears]

Okay.

[Dave DeFore]

They harrow, they're just cabinet full of all kinds of stuff. Colin Sexton. They have to attach a second round pick.

[Alex Spears]

That was a weird one to get.

[Dave DeFore]

Him out of there. John Collins. Right. Like they get nothing.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

In that deal.

[Alex Spears]

Jordan Clarkson bought out.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah. Okay. But they're not tanking.

[Andrew Schlecht]

They are.

[Dave DeFore]

I mean this, this is your summer. This is it.

[Alex Spears]

I'm realizing now like what he meant by that and it is so sneaky because he's, he's saying, he's saying that roster manipulation is tanking. Playing the worst roster in the NBA, not tanking.

[Dave DeFore]

And it is bad.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah, it is bad.

[Dave DeFore]

It is bad. The one thing is I actually think taking Ace Bailey, great pick.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

Do it like the NBA, like you're not going to not play, period. And then you try to work it out. That's actually your job as the organization is, oh, this player doesn't necessarily want to be here. Let's make him feel welcome and accommodated and all these other things that the good.

[Alex Spears]

Right.

[Dave DeFore]

Organizations do. And I think Utah going to be great there. Right. But I have no clue what the heck they've been doing with their roster and with the assets that they have. They have all these picks. They, they've not gone and done anything with it. Lowry marketing is just sitting there. You know, you brought up how old Norm Powell is. How old is Lowry? Markkanen, he 28 this season. Yeah, he's in his prime. He's under contract. And they have yet to been able to find a move for him. I mean, they missed the boat on the warriors, so they're not there anymore. Where else does he fit? The one silver lining for them, they can always call the Kings and make a deal because the King again, we have bad teams again.

[Alex Spears]

That's true. So two things on them. One is if they had had this offseason when Danny Ainge first came in, I think I would have Been much more into it.

[Dave DeFore]

Right.

[Alex Spears]

Because that's kind of what I was expecting. But then they did those two years where it was like, we're kind of doing stuff like, look at Will Hardy, such a good coach. This team is over exceeding expectations. And then they would try to tank, like, way too late. And I feel like if they just done that from the start, it would be easier. The other thing is if they just drafted a little bit better. Right? Like, who is your favorite Utah Jazz prospect?

[Andrew Schlecht]

A lot of it.

[Dave DeFore]

We have had this conversation multiple times. Like, what young guy can you be excited about outside of this draft? Right. Because I think Ace Bailey is good, is good. But what young guy on their roster Pops at all? You know, it was trying to make Keonte George a thing. I just. It's not like he's fine, but it's not. This is not a needle mover at all.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah.

[Alex Spears]

And part of that was just not putting themselves in the position to maybe get one of those higher ranked prospects.

[Dave DeFore]

Right. But all that they've done, okay. They trade away Gobert, they trade away Donovan Mitchell, and they have done this weird stuff ever since. It's just been. I have no idea what they're doing.

[Alex Spears]

And we'll have to wait a few more years to find out.

[Dave DeFore]

Andrew, let me ask you guys this.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

Okay. Because you guys are big Thunder guys and small markets.

[Alex Spears]

You guys are big tanking guys.

[Dave DeFore]

Okay? So the Thunder. The Thunder, we're able to do it in a short window. So maybe this isn't. It's not one to one, but like, I wonder what it's like when you're the Utah Jazz. Okay. You are the thing in Utah to do, like, you're the most famous. All the most famous people in Utah are probably playing for the Jazz.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

Well, except for now because we don't know who they are. But if you're this bad for this long, can your franchise withstand that? Yes, it can.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

Because it's as long as you get good at some point.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yeah. And they have a. They have a good fan base. They do.

[Alex Spears]

Fan base.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I think that they'll be fine.

[Dave DeFore]

But how long will a fan. I mean, you know, like we saw Sixers fans after four or five years, like, you know, they revolt. I just. I don't know.

[Alex Spears]

I think they get one more season before you, like, really start.

[Andrew Schlecht]

You need to start seeing, like you need some hope.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah.

[Alex Spears]

You need Ace to be good.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Right.

[Alex Spears]

One good thing about this offseason is they've made their intentions, at least to me, very Clear. Yeah. I feel like their fans will get it too.

[Dave DeFore]

Sure.

[Alex Spears]

Okay. We're definitely not competing anytime soon.

[Dave DeFore]

I would be if the Utah Jazz social media just post all those cam boozer highlights all season long. You know what I mean? Just get that carrot out there.

[Alex Spears]

This is a good year to do it because there are so many teams trying y and apparently that class is loaded at the top.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah.

[Alex Spears]

So hopefully.

[Andrew Schlecht]

And don't trade marketing. Oh, you people are talking about trading Larry marketing. If you want to actually be good, you got to keep them at some point.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schlecht]

You're going to be bad enough. They won 17 games last year.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schlecht]

And he was on the roster.

[Dave DeFore]

And. And they just said, hold my beer. We can do worse.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Well, they can. They can. I think they'll be about the same, but like, they just won't have to do all the weird.

[Dave DeFore]

Right.

[Alex Spears]

Stuff. Yeah.

[Andrew Schlecht]

But I do think that like, don't trade him.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Because like, that's how the Thunder got good fast. Is that they already had a good player on the right.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I don't think market is at the level of Shay.

[Dave DeFore]

No.

[Andrew Schlecht]

He's a. He's a good player that the minute you trade him, you're hoping to draft a player that's as good as him.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Like, what else are you spending money on?

[Alex Spears]

Well, and that's the thing. Like why they wanted Cooper Flag so bad because you slot him in even to this roster and it's perfect. Everything starts to makes a little more sense.

[Andrew Schlecht]

It's amazing.

[Dave DeFore]

And by the way, Ace Bailey could be that guy. Let's see.

[Andrew Schlecht]

He could be.

[Alex Spears]

Could be.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Could be.

[Alex Spears]

Andrew, who would you pick for the Is this it Award?

[Andrew Schlecht]

The warriors did nothing.

[Dave DeFore]

Nothing.

[Andrew Schlecht]

They look yet they look on Looney. Go to.

[Alex Spears]

To.

[Andrew Schlecht]

To the Pelicans.

[Alex Spears]

That's right.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Shout out to the Pelicans. I don't know. I mean, Steph Curry, I mean, they're a team of old guys and they're talking about acquiring one of the oldest guys in the NBA in Al Horford.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Which a lot of people still expect to happen. But that is like, it makes sense. He's a Warriors type player. But do you think that team is going to win in the playoffs at all?

[Dave DeFore]

No.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Are they getting there? And like, it's not a guarantee that they get to the playoffs, period, next year in the Western Conference.

[Alex Spears]

Don't you think we'd feel so much differently though if Steph hadn't gotten hurt in that series against the Wolves?

[Andrew Schlecht]

But that's the point. That's the point is that when you're this old, you are going to have injuries.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

So, like, if they add Al Horford to that starting lineup, do they have a person under the age of 34? You know?

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

Draymond's 34. Steph is 36. 37.

[Andrew Schlecht]

And it's part of why they need Jonathan Kaminga.

[Dave DeFore]

Right.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Funny phrase to say, but it's kind of why they need Jonathan Kaminga.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah. I can't stand this. This. This recent run of warriors where. Hold on to these guys from the two timelines idea for so long, it becomes so protracted. Like, it happened with Wiseman, it's happening now with Kaminga, where they just, like, can't let go. They can't admit what it is.

[Dave DeFore]

Well, because what if Kuminga leaves and pops the way that they thought he might for them? And then you have to hear about it all the time and you've got to think about it all the time. I understand it. And the thing is, they've got the inside knowledge on Kaminga.

[Andrew Schlecht]

They do.

[Dave DeFore]

They have. They know.

[Andrew Schlecht]

They know.

[Dave DeFore]

So I. I think that they are in a position where they have to bring him back. They should probably go back.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah. I think.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I don't know. They're in a weird spot. They've done. They've done nothing. I know they kind of did their work at the end of last year where they traded for Butler, but I don't know. I just don't think that team is set up to win at the end of Steph Curry's career.

[Dave DeFore]

Do you feel the same about the Jimmy Butler move for them now as you did when it happened?

[Andrew Schlecht]

No, it's just like they're a year older. I thought maybe they could make some noise in the playoffs this past year. I just think all those guys getting one more year older.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I just think it's really tricky. And they don't have. They don't have guys that you can count on behind them. Like, their guys haven't developed like they thought they would.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Like, Bajimsky did not take a step forward last year. I think that's a huge problem. Moses Moody has not taken a step forward like they would have wanted to. Kaminga has not taken a step forward like they would have wanted to. Those are the guys that were supposed to help kind of buoy them into this next era and allow Steph to kind of age a little bit more gracefully. But it's like, no, we still need Steph more than we've ever needed.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah.

[Alex Spears]

I will say, though, that team was so different after Jimmy Butler arrived. Like, if you look at Pajimski's stats pre Butler, after Butler, like he was a different player. Yeah. So I think if you're a Warriors fan, you're looking at that second half run and saying, okay, well now they get a full training camp, they're going to come into the season and if we get some health.

[Dave DeFore]

Right.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yeah. They need a lot of luck.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schlecht]

To get to where they want to go.

[Dave DeFore]

I can talk myself into Steph Curry doing anything.

[Andrew Schlecht]

They're all completely healthy and they're feeling good.

[Alex Spears]

The problem is that.

[Andrew Schlecht]

And the reason that they had injuries going into the. In the playoffs is that they had to push so hard just to get there.

[Dave DeFore]

Right.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schlecht]

And I just don't know, do they have enough to where they can rest those guys down the stretch? That's, that's my biggest problem with the way this roster is constructed and why.

[Dave DeFore]

I'm like, it's not a team that's going to. That's going to win a lot of regular season games. Like, it's not this machine that's going to make it easy for them because they're not deep enough and they're too old. And if you're going to have these guys playing heavy minutes in March or February. March. To get into like a home court advantage situation. Yeah, they're. They will be dead by the first round of the playoffs.

[Andrew Schlecht]

They could have used a guy like Norman Powell. They just need somebody to come in.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah, well, the Beal stuff with them.

[Andrew Schlecht]

For them, that's all they need.

[Dave DeFore]

When their name was mentioned for Beal, I thought it was interesting. You know, they need. But he's not even young. But at least it's another body they. They definitely need.

[Alex Spears]

Okay. If you're describing them that way, then how can you say, well, they got to bring Kaminga back when he's a guy who's getting DNPs in the playoffs. Like, if their coach doesn't believe in him, how can they bring him back when you need. Like you said, you just need more depth on that team.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Somebody. It's a. I mean, they're.

[Dave DeFore]

Moses Moody has dealt with the same thing right in and out of the lineup.

[Andrew Schlecht]

They should have traded both guys a long time ago.

[Alex Spears]

Long time ago. You should have traded those picks. They should have never drafted.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Well, they should have drafted one. They should have drafted somebody else.

[Dave DeFore]

The Wiseman pick should have been Halliburton or Bane. Yeah, I mean, both guys were ready to play.

[Alex Spears]

The Franz one is the one that I'LL never understand because he made so much sense.

[Andrew Schlecht]

He's a warrior. That dude is. Is a Warriors player. And Kaminga never was.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schlecht]

And this is where, like, ownership does matter, because when the owner decides, like, hey, I'm kind of a draft guy.

[Alex Spears]

Stauskas.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Stauskas. You got problems.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah, big problems. Okay, we've reached the final award. My favorite award.

[Andrew Schlecht]

We'll have to do these rapid fire, by the way.

[Alex Spears]

Well, it's the last one.

[Dave DeFore]

Last one.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I'm just saying we just.

[Dave DeFore]

We'll go fast.

[Alex Spears]

We've already wasted time just saying this. Okay. The time traveler from April 2026 award. Okay. A time traveler from the distant time of April 2026. I repeated here's your bid side. And is willing to tell you that everything that happened to one NBA team from now, July 11th, or whenever this is, whenever this is released until April 2026. Now, they're only going to give you the details about that one team, but you'll learn everything. So if they made any trades, how they did in the season, any injuries like that, which team are you picking today in July?

[Dave DeFore]

Milwaukee Bucks.

[Alex Spears]

And what do you want to know?

[Dave DeFore]

I need to know if they have a successful season.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

It's good for them, right? Giannis stays.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

If they don't, I think this would be it. I think this would be the last season that Giannis would be in Milwaukee. The move that they made to wave and stretch, dame and sign Miles Turner, that is. That is a everything. They put all their chips on the table for that.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

I don't think that they've got the team around those two guys for it to matter all that much, like, for them to win a title. I don't think they do. I don't know if they need to win a title. Yeah, but they've got to be second round of the playoffs. I think they probably got to win 50 games, maybe 48. You know, like 48, 50 wins, home court advantage team. I think at least second round of playoffs, probably conference finals. And so I. I would love to know that because I think all of the. I mean, Giannis being one of the three best players in the world is a huge. Like, he would be the biggest guy available.

[Alex Spears]

Right.

[Dave DeFore]

If they have a bad year, if anything goes wrong this year, it's like if Miles Turner gets injured.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

Nightmare scenario. If Giannis, obviously, if Giannis got hurt, the whole thing, you throw the whole thing away.

[Alex Spears]

So what do you think the percentage chances that Kyle Kuzma and that future unprotected pick are still on this roster after February.

[Dave DeFore]

No way. No way.

[Alex Spears]

So that's exciting, though, because I feel like that package, I mean, I talked about this with Andrew, but, like, you look at the MPJ and that future Denver package, like, I think I would rather have an unprotected future Milwaukee pick than the unprotected future Denver pick.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah.

[Alex Spears]

So that could get Cam Johnson. Like, could they get something. Could they get a real rotation player?

[Dave DeFore]

Probably. They need somebody who can dribble. They need anyone who can dribble. They don't have that on the roster. Right. That's what they need. But that's the team I would pick.

[Alex Spears]

And Andrew Time Traveler, the Cleveland Cavaliers, really interesting.

[Dave DeFore]

Similar position.

[Andrew Schlecht]

They may be under the most pressure right now. We talked about the window with the Knicks.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schlecht]

They've got to go win. They've got to go to the NBA Finals next year.

[Alex Spears]

So maybe you guys didn't hear the award. It's the time travel from April 2026. So you're only going to learn things through April, through the regular season.

[Dave DeFore]

Well, if they have a bad year.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Never mind. Not the Cleveland Cavaliers.

[Alex Spears]

Right. All right.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Sorry.

[Dave DeFore]

They're not going to have a bad year, but the Bucs could have a bad year.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I'll just say the Lakers. I just want to know, like, what do the Lakers do?

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Like, what does LeBron do? What's going to happen here? LeBron did his last year. What kind of mayhem is he going to cause for the Lakers if things.

[Dave DeFore]

Aren'T all about how is LeBron on the Lakers at the end of the season?

[Andrew Schlecht]

It's a great question.

[Alex Spears]

I would say. Yes. I would be shocked.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I think you. I think you will be, too.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schlecht]

But, like, what happens if they're. What if they're a play in team?

[Dave DeFore]

Right.

[Andrew Schlecht]

You know?

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schlecht]

And they, like, get bounced in the play in, like, then what happens? I'm just curious.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schlecht]

What that looks like.

[Alex Spears]

Okay. Because this is my favorite award. My answer really quick.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

The 76ers. Oh.

[Alex Spears]

Because I did.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I picked it every year. I picked the Sixers every single year.

[Alex Spears]

But this time, I really mean it. Okay. Because it could just. This season could go so many different ways. Yeah. And all the things you're going to learn, like, I'm going to learn Joel Embiid. How many games did he play?

[Dave DeFore]

Right.

[Alex Spears]

You know, that's going to tell me a lot. I'm going to be able to get Paul George's stat line. Did he, like, bounce back? I'm going to be able to see what Jared McCain did in his first full season in the NBA, hopefully. And Vijay Edgecomb, who's looked really good. Yeah. So I just feel like there's so many interesting things and it has nothing to do with the fact that they owe a protected pick to my favorite.

[Andrew Schlecht]

I was about to say I'm not.

[Alex Spears]

Interested in that part of it. Oh, you.

[Dave DeFore]

You should be though, right?

[Alex Spears]

Of course I am.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Come on.

[Alex Spears]

Okay, so that brings us to the end. And Dave, you actually went out of turn on that last one.

[Dave DeFore]

Oh, I did.

[Alex Spears]

So you get minus one points. Andrew, you win. I didn't tell you.

[Dave DeFore]

I didn't even know we were doing points.

[Alex Spears]

Yeah. Andrew got zero and you got negative one. I'm sorry, dude.

[Dave DeFore]

And yes, I feel like I got cheated here. I at least got railroaded. Alex, man, great to have you here in person.

[Andrew Schlecht]

Taylor Hendricks jersey.

[Dave DeFore]

Oh, wow. And it's the bright yellow Utah Jazz jersey. That was a. They got that at Ross for sure. That's gonna do it for the show, folks. Thank you guys for tuning in. For Alex Spears and Andrew Select, I'm Dave Dufour and this has been the NBA Daily.

[Brooke Devart]

Hi. Brooke Devart here, host of Naked Beauty. Every week I talk to my audience about beauty and self care. I'm someone who spends a lot of time in the bathroom. It is truly my sanctuary. So investing in a smart toilet from Kohler has been life changing. The Kohler Vail smart toilet has a heated seat, hands free, opening of the lid, and customizable bidet functionality. It is incredible. But beyond the technology, the design is just stunning. The veil's curved silhouette in honed black actually inspired creative director and fashion designer Laura Kim to create a stunning black chiffon dress that debuted on the Runway at New York Fashion Week. The creative partnership between Kohler and Laura Kim is changing how we think about everyday objects like a toilet. Transform your routine into something extraordinary with the Kohler Vail smart toilet.

[Happy Mammoth Representative]

Aging is a natural process, as we all know. And I for one don't mind embracing it. But I will tell you one part of aging that I don't care for. It's the symptoms that stem from changing hormones, especially as you get older to perimenopause and menopause. That's why we want to tell you about Happy Mammoth's Hormone Harmony. Happy Mammoth, the company that created Hormone Harmony, is dedicated to making women's lives easier. And that means using only science backed ingredients that have been proven to work for women. They make no compromise when it comes to quality and it shows. For a limited time, you can get 15% off on your entire first order@happy mammoth.com just use the code Happy me at checkout.

[Earth Animal Representative]

You know when you're just trying to pick up a dog treat and you're faced with a wall of ears, hooves, mystery meat, and then rawhide? Looks harmless, but my neighbor's dog had a bad experience and ended up at the vet. That's when I found no hide shoes, no rawhide, no nasties. Just simple, sustainable ingredients and no awful smell. Plus no hide chews. Actually last you get 25% off no hide with code [e-mail] give them a try. Always supervise chewing, subject to availability terms and conditions apply. See earthanimal.com for details.