The Athletic NBA Daily: Trade Deadline Prep with John Hollinger

Date: January 13, 2026
Host: Dave DuFour
Guests: John Hollinger (The Athletic), Zena Keita, Ben

Episode Overview

This episode of The Athletic NBA Daily dives deep into 2026 NBA trade deadline buzz with special guest John Hollinger, former NBA executive and current analyst for The Athletic. The discussion covers emerging trade markets for stars like Ja Morant and Michael Porter Jr., the logistics and ridiculousness of NBA team travel, potential blockbuster deals, and the early assessment of the standout rookies and 2026 draft class.

Key Segments and Discussion Points

1. Sacramento Scene & NBA Team Travel Woes

• [01:44–05:03]
  John Hollinger sets the scene from Sacramento, detailing the bizarre hotel crunch impacting the Houston Rockets’ road trip.

• Rockets travel fiasco: Due to overlapping team stays and a packed hotel (Sawyer Hotel), the Rockets had to stay in San Francisco and bus 85 miles to Sacramento on game day.
  • John Hollinger: "There's one hotel here where everyone tries to stay. It's the Sawyer, and it's connected to the arena. ... The Lakers are here, the Knicks are here—they all booked first. So the Rockets ... stayed in San Francisco the last two nights." (03:08)
  • The ordeal left the team exhausted, clearly affecting their performance in a loss to the Kings.

2. Ja Morant Trade Rumors: Where Do Things Stand?

• [05:22–09:32]
  The main trade rumor segment kicks off with in-depth analysis of Ja Morant's future in Memphis and the calculus involved for both Grizzlies and potential suitors.

• John Hollinger: "I think it’s time. I think both parties realize it ... Part of the reason they traded Desmond Bain was they realized they weren’t good enough with Ja, Jaren, Desmond core, and Ja wasn’t reliable enough to be the main piece..." (05:59)

• Comparison to Trae Young: Ja's inconsistent availability, injuries, and remaining contract years create both risk and opportunity for interested teams.

• Possible destinations: Miami, Milwaukee, and especially Toronto—fueled in part by possible matching contracts and urgency to make moves at the deadline.

  • "I do think [Toronto] have some urgency there to make some things happen at the trade deadline." —John Hollinger (09:42)

• Team strategy: Memphis may not be ready for a full rebuild. They still believe in their supporting core and see themselves as one or two key pieces away from contention (10:30).

3. Evaluating Ja Morant’s Trade Value

• [11:12–12:09]
  The hosts consider Morant's statistical decline and persistent absences, and how that impacts his trade market.

• Ben: “He’s not shooting as well…the numbers are the lowest of his career. Do we think that’s going to impact the package?”
• Hollinger: “I don’t think so. Teams understand other things impacted those numbers this year… Can you get the Ja when he played from two years ago? When he played, a really good player—again, has not played more than six consecutive games in nearly three years due to injuries and suspensions.” (11:31)
• Memorable Reaction:
  • Dave DeFore: “Zena's face when you said that ... I did not know that ... He hasn't strung together more than six games in that long is pretty absurd.” (12:09)

4. Michael Porter Jr.—Is a Deadline Move Coming?

• [12:43–15:29]
  Is MPJ on the move? Hollinger breaks down Brooklyn’s logic and Golden State’s possible pursuit.

• Brooklyn's logic: Move Porter Jr. now while his value is high, rather than extend or overpay him next year.
  • Hollinger: “If you don’t think [Porter’s] your guy for the long term, the move is to cash in right now … then maybe turn that value into the guys you really believe in.” (13:41)
• Golden State connection:
  • “Just for Golden State to take in $40M is tough…It has to be multiple players. Kaminga, Moody, one other guy, and you’re basically there.” —John Hollinger (14:03)
  • Uncertainty if MPJ moves the needle for a Warriors team “that isn’t quite good enough to win now.” (15:40)

5. Surprise Names at the Deadline

• [16:11–16:50]
  Pop quiz for Hollinger on sleeper names to watch.

• John Hollinger: “Is Daniel Gafford enough of a surprise?...Nobody talks about him, but he’s a good player. He’s going to help somebody a lot … I think teams are going to start talking about Gafford a little more.” (16:31)

6. Rookie Class Standouts & Evolution

• [18:45–23:09]
  Hollinger’s expert eye on 2025–26 rookie performances and developments.

• Who stood out most so far?
  • “Con Kany Nipple has been even better than I thought and more quickly than I thought ... He wards guys off, stops, they keep going, ends up under the stanchion. ... He’s not just a shooter ... just a lot more to his game.” (19:30)
• Draft fit and evolution:
  • "It worked out that [Con Kany Nipple] is in a position and on a team where [his skillset] can be showcased …"
  • Big development for Cooper Flagg: Struggled out of the gate as a lead ball handler, has flourished playing more on the wing with a real point guard (Ryan Nemhard) next to him.
  • Hollinger: “It wasn't just that, like, they were playing these crazy, huge lineups. … He's playing as a forward now, secondary ball handler ... It's just a different game for him now.” (21:42)

7. Previewing the 2026 NBA Draft

• [23:09–25:04]

• Who’s next?

  • John Hollinger: “I don’t think Caleb Wilson from North Carolina is getting enough shine as the number four guy … Skinny guy who can still really rebound. Playing off of spins ... Needs to improve his outside shot, but I really like him.” (23:23)

• Top of the class:

  • Boozer, Peterson (Kansas), AJ DeBancer, Caleb Wilson round out a "really impressive top four."

• “He’s got a shot to break into that top three.” —John Hollinger on Caleb Wilson. (25:00)

• Lottery preference:

  • Hollinger: “For the love of God, can we have an East team win it for once? … I live in Atlanta, they have the better of New Orleans or Milwaukee [picks]. ... I'm going to go homer here.” (25:12)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “He hasn't strung together more than six games in nearly three years due to injuries and suspensions.” — John Hollinger on Ja Morant (12:09)
• “The move is to cash in right now … then maybe turn that value into the guys you really believe in.” — John Hollinger on Michael Porter Jr. (13:41)
• “Get a Jimmy Butler-level player, that's one thing ... Porter’s good ... but he's not at that level where he's going to move the needle that much if you’re basically an average team.” — John Hollinger (15:53)
• “[Con Kany Nipple is] not just a shooter. ... He’s got a lot more to his game. He’s a good passer, doesn’t force anything, can take a hit at the rim.” (19:30)
• “Cooper Flagg ... I thought they really put [him] in the most impossible position to succeed at the start of the year. ... Now he’s playing as a forward, secondary ball handler ... It’s a different game for him now.” (21:42)
• “Caleb Wilson from North Carolina ... skinny guy who can really rebound, plays off spins ... I really like him. ... He’s my number four guy right now, and could move into the top three.” (23:23, 25:00)
• “For the love of God, can we have an East team win [the lottery] for once?” — John Hollinger (25:12)

Important Timestamps

• [01:44] — Arrival: John Hollinger joins live from Sacramento
• [03:08] — Rockets’ hotel/road trip saga
• [05:22] — Ja Morant trade rumors analysis
• [09:32] — Potential Morant destinations (Miami, Milwaukee, Toronto)
• [11:31] — Ja’s trade value, health, and availability context
• [12:43] — Michael Porter Jr. trade & Brooklyn’s thinking
• [14:03] — Golden State/Porter frameworks
• [16:31] — Surprise deadline names: Daniel Gafford
• [19:30] — Rookies: Con Kany Nipple & Cooper Flagg deep dive
• [23:23] — Hollinger’s underrated 2026 prospect: Caleb Wilson

Tone & Style

The episode is conversational, candid, and a little self-deprecating—typical of The Athletic’s podcast style. Hollinger brings inside knowledge and dry humor, while Dave and Ben keep the pace lively and accessible for NBA diehards and fans tracking trade season.

Summary Takeaway

If you want behind-the-scenes perspective on the chaotic lead-up to the NBA’s trade deadline—especially with stars like Ja Morant in flux—this episode is essential. John Hollinger’s front office insights, sharp prospect takes, and entertaining travel anecdotes make it a must-listen for NBA enthusiasts wanting to understand both the moves on the court and the intricate business off of it.