The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Alley Oop 150: Trae Young on the Move?! Peyton Watson Buzz, Deni in Portland & MJ Hate Talk

Date: January 10, 2026

Overview

Broadcast from the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, this 50th "Alley Oop" episode sees Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, and crew diving deep into the latest NBA drama and pop-culture moments. The hosts dissect the seismic Trae Young trade, celebrate Deni Avdija’s rise in Portland, talk up under-the-radar contributor Peyton Watson, and gleefully roast some MJ-LeBron era hater-ism in the NBA. Their conversational style is fast, candid, and laced with signature humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Deni Avdija’s Ascension in Portland

• Excitement for Deni: The crew is bullish on Deni Avdija, predicting he could soon be a top 10 player (“I think Deni is going to be a top 10 player in the league.” – A, 01:17).
• Player Comparison: Deni’s unique skillset as a tall point guard (6'9") is likened only to the likes of Jason Tatum, LeBron James, and Luka Dončić:
  • “There's only probably two, three players in the league that fit that comp. Jason Tatum, LeBron and Luka. And that's the list.” – A, 03:11
• Playstyle & Reputation: Deni’s combination of strength and craft at the rim is praised, but there’s also debate on whether he flops for calls:
  • “He go. The way he goes to the rim is with force. He's trying to yam on you.” – A, 04:25
  • “It's not just the Zebras. It's all of the things that he does in order to get to the line.” – A, 03:36
• All-Star Buzz: The hosts agree Deni is a lock for this year’s All-Star game, noting fan votes and media chatter (05:08–05:47).

2. Trae Young Traded to Washington – Shockwaves & Culture

• Breaking News Reaction: Genuine surprise and amusement at the news Trae Young wants to play for the Washington Wizards:
  • “To me that means he prefers to go somewhere. And the only place that's anywhere is Washington because no one prefers the Wizards.” – A, 06:40
  • “It's a dandata. It's a dino.” – B, 06:46
• Mid-Game Trade Spectacle: Trae is reportedly traded mid-game, with hosts joking about “quad soreness” now being code for "about to be traded" (07:03).
• Trae’s Atlanta Legacy:
  • Hosts deeply respect how Trae embedded himself in Atlanta’s hip hop and social scene:
    • “Trey came to Atlanta willing and ready to be a part of Atlanta. He embraced like, the Migo. When Migo put him on the song Ice Trey flooded.” – B, 09:50
  • Praise for his realness: “He wasn't too big. He dapp off the kids. A real true superstar.” – B, 10:25
• Washington as a Free Agent Destination:
  • Discussion about why top talent avoids D.C.:
    • “But people. Players do not want to go there. And the question that I was asked is why? And what do you. What's your reason?” – A, 11:48
    • “Because they ain't never been to the...conference finals since they won the championship when they were the Bullets and the damn Harlem Globe. Tried to. Just walking around still every now and then losing to the Generals, like, that's why I wouldn't want to go there.” – B, 12:06

3. Rebranding the Wizards and DMV Basketball Culture

• Need for Identity Refresh:
  • The hosts riff on changing the Wizards' name to reconnect with the city’s real flavor:
    • “We need to make sure that everybody in the NBA knows...JuJu is Chocolate City. So I think we need to rename the Wizards.” – A, 13:26
  • Brainstorming names like "Chocolate City Go Gos" to tie in local music and culture (13:43–14:25).
• DMV as New Destination:
  • Argument that D.C. could be a great spot, similar to how OKC became viable, especially with Trae Young’s urban culture fit (14:25–14:52).

4. Peyton Watson’s Nugget-Step Up

• Under-the-Radar Praise:
  • Peyton Watson’s emergence in Denver during Jokic’s absence gets a strong shoutout:
    • “The street's supposed to be buzzing about this brother, in the Joker's absence, paying Watson, bro, for them nuggets. Come on now, my boy.” – B, 15:04
  • Comparison with Christian Braun’s contract and impact, with hopes that Denver rewards Peyton (15:24–16:29).
• Potential for a Blessing in Disguise:
  • “If they can stay right here, that gives me a lot of hope for the development of these role players...when Jokic comes back.” – A, 17:18

5. “Boy, Stop” – Kangaroo Fight & MJ Hate

Australian Kangaroo Fight (18:04–20:06)

• The crew enjoy a viral video of a man brawling with a kangaroo:
  • “Hold on, bro. Why is this kangaroo just in the street? Like, he coming from getting coffee?” – B, 18:44
• Light jokes about the size and fighting technique of kangaroos and man’s survival.
  • “You got a bob and weave on them kangaroos, bruh.” – B, 20:45

Isaiah Thomas Still Hating on Michael Jordan (20:45–25:46)

• Clip Reaction: The show plays a new Isaiah Thomas rant, where he downplays Jordan’s impact, accuses his era of not appreciating LeBron and disses MJ as just “the guy that gave you some shoes and... jewelry.”
  • “To reduce Jordan down to a Jumpman logo and some kicks is absolutely insane. I don't know why that wasn't the part that got aggregated juju, right, bruh?” – A, 23:15
  • “Talking about the man who gave you some kicks. The man who gave you what it feels like to...fly.” – B, 23:42
• Hosts’ Take:
  • They roast Zeke for lingering Dream Team bitterness and disrespect for Jordan’s multifaceted career.
  • "If his impact was just shoes, then how was he able to keep you off the Dream Team?" – A, 24:27
  • “Boy, stop. And that is another episode of the Alley oop.” – B, 25:46

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Deni Avdija’s Resurgence:
  • “He has all of the skills of a guard that's six, five...he can pull up on you from deep and his ability to get to the end of the lane around multiple defenders.” – A, 02:21
• On Trae Young’s Cultural Role in Atlanta:
  • “He ingratiated himself in the culture. He could be at Atlanta Dream Games...You just was a great person, just a part of the city.” – B, 10:13
• On Rebranding Washington:
  • “We need mumbo sauce at every game. We need to reinvigorate the arena.” – A, 14:25

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Opening & Deni Avdija talk: 00:20–05:47
• Trae Young trade to Washington: 05:47–11:47
• Washington’s Image & Name Brainstorm: 11:47–14:52
• Peyton Watson hype: 15:04–17:36
• Kangaroo fight viral clip: 18:04–20:06
• Isaiah Thomas vs Michael Jordan segment: 20:45–25:46
• Closing inspiration/banter: 26:11–end

Closing Notes & Tone

Ending on personal encouragement and playful sibling affection, the hosts urge listeners to shake off haters and pursue their goals in 2026. The episode’s unique mix of honest basketball analysis, viral moments, and humorous cultural riffs makes it as entertaining as it is insightful.

“Stop being scared of being disliked by losers. It's on my screensaver.” – A, 26:50

“A hater ain't got nothing to say to you...If you see somebody hating on you, damn them.” – B, 26:36

Catch the next Alley Oop for more irreverent NBA talk, pop-culture ribbing, and classic Le Batard crew banter.