The Ringer NBA Show — "Best Trades and Landing Spots for Giannis"

Date: January 31, 2026
Hosts: Logan Murdock & Raja Bell

Overview

In a lively and comedic “gimmick episode,” Logan Murdock and Raja Bell take on the herculean task of proposing mock Giannis trades for all 29 NBA teams not named the Milwaukee Bucks. For each hypothetical deal, they ask two key questions:

1. How quickly would that team be a true contender with Giannis?
2. How much do they trust the front office to capitalize even after landing the Greek Freak?

Infused with sharp NBA analysis, locker-room banter, and a few wild laughs, this episode is a must for NBA nerds, trade machine aficionados, and anyone curious about the league's biggest "what if" scenarios.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Premise and Methodology

• Every team (except Milwaukee) makes a "let's fleece the Bucks" trade for Giannis.
• For each, the hosts break down:
  a. Time to contention post-trade
  b. Trust in the team’s front office to build around Giannis

2. Eastern Conference Deep Dives

Atlanta Hawks

• Package: Top pick, Kispert, Dyson Daniels, Okongwu. Hawks keep Jalen Johnson.
• Raja: "You level up pretty quickly... two to three years away." (03:21)
• Logan: "This is pushing the button before you're ready." (04:21)
• Agreement: Hawks could be contenders in 2-3 years, especially given the draft capital involved.

Boston Celtics

• Minimal medium-salary players, main core untouched.
• Raja: "[Contender] however long it takes him to fly to Boston." (05:47)
• Logan: "Very confident" they would win a championship that year. (07:28)
• Summary: Immediate title contention; high trust in both roster/talent and front office.

Brooklyn Nets

• Star-gutting deal: Michael Porter Jr., Nic Claxton, and all the picks.
• Raja: "I don't think they become a contender in Giannis's timeline." (08:12)
• Brooklyn’s front office history suggests problems assembling a true contender after clearing the cupboard for a superstar. “That's a five-year plan.” (09:01)

Charlotte Hornets

• Centerpiece: LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, several picks.
• Logan: "They're percolating... they're throwing it all in [like a simmering soup]." (11:12)
• Raja: "Two or three years. You level up, but I don't think they win a title." (12:28)

Chicago Bulls

• Kobe White, Zach Collins (exp.), Kevin Huerter, picks.
• Consensus: Three years minimum, low trust in the Bulls’ front office. (13:58)

Cleveland Cavaliers

• Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, plus picks.
• Raja: "I'm in there... we're doing that. Evan Mobley's a really nice player, but plugging Giannis in, yeah." (15:44)
• Still, timeline is about two years, with trust in existing core and young stars.

3. Western Conference Rumblings

Dallas Mavericks

• Package: 80 (likely Jaden Hardy typo), pick.
• Raja: "Two to three years away, assuming Kyrie's healthy." (17:41)

Denver Nuggets

• Keep Jokic, Murray, deal out Eric Gordon and Cam Johnson + picks.
• Raja: "If you told me I could have Jokic and Giannis, people are going to fall over themselves... We'll figure that out." (19:01)
• Discussion of fit: “Jokic would need to be more of a facilitator,” but ceiling is absurdly high.

Detroit Pistons

• Jalen Duren, Isaiah Stewart, Duncan Robinson, three picks.
• Raja: "Giannis is Detroit basketball... he fits the city, the style, the energy." (23:30)

Golden State Warriors

• All picks, Jimmy Butler expiring (hypothetical), Kaminga remains.
• Logan: "Wouldn't it behoove Milwaukee to just wait for the draft? ... All the packages are in front of you." (25:44)
• Raja: "I do [trust them]. I trust Steve Kerr to figure out what needs to look like offensively with Giannis." (28:37)
• Title window opens in year one or two.

Houston Rockets

• Reed Sheppard, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith, picks (including PHX ‘27).
• Consensus: One to two years; with KD, Giannis, and Amen Thompson, "that's a lot of length and range." (32:54)
• But some discussion of shooting and playmaking needs.

Indiana Pacers

• Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam, several picks; Tyrese Haliburton stays.
• Raja: "Two to three years, Halle fits with a lot of pieces." (36:49)

Minnesota Timberwolves

• Involves Julius Randle, Nas Reid, picks; nets Giannis + Jrue Holiday to pair with Ant and Gobert.
• Raja: "Right now, right now, right now... you have a legitimate shot to go to the Finals." (43:10)

San Antonio Spurs

• Stef Castle, Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, plus picks for Giannis, pairing him with Wemby.
• Raja: "We're there — one year, maybe now. The Spurs will be right there." (53:16)

4. Rapid-Fire/Other Proposals

• OKC Thunder: Sacrifice role players but keep core intact. Immediate contention.
  • Raja: “That might go to number one on the list.” (46:30)
• Orlando Magic: Pair Giannis with Paolo; synergy concerns, three to four years, low trust in FO.
• Philadelphia 76ers: PG13 + picks for Giannis. Pair with Embiid, Maxey; “A year.” (48:32)
• Phoenix Suns: Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Ryan Dunn, no picks; “Two years, maybe a third... but I don't really know, new regime.” (49:28)
• Portland/Brooklyn/Sacramento: Giannis would be alone post-trade; “It's great for Milwaukee, but... scandalous to do this to Giannis.” (51:39)

Teams Host Consider 'Out'

• Clippers, Wizards, Jazz: No plausible offer or path.
• New Orleans: “No, I'm good.” (41:08)
• Knicks: Need a third team and to keep some core, otherwise it's not enough.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "How long does the flight take from Milwaukee to Boston? ... That's when they're a contender."
  — Raja, on Boston (05:47)

• “There’s no real prima donna in him. Everything [Giannis] does is Onyx-ish as a music type.”
  — Raja (23:30)

• "If you told me I could have Giannis and Jokic ... people would fall over themselves."
  — Raja, on Denver’s hypothetical super team (19:01)

• “Just give me Giannis, Luca, and anyone else. I'm figuring it out.”
  — Raja, on the Lakers' wild trade pitch (38:46)

• “Give me one more, let me see what you were about to do.”
  — Raja, as he groans through the wilder late-stage trade scenarios (54:42)

Timestamps for Key Sections

• Intro and Episode Setup — 01:03–03:21
• Atlanta Hawks discussion — 03:21–04:21
• Celtics Contender Window (“How long does the flight take?”) — 05:47–07:25
• Brooklyn/Nets Star-Chaser Reflection — 08:12–09:21
• Charlotte’s “Percolating” Youth Movement — 10:21–12:35
• Golden State Warriors/Deadline vs. Lottery (strategic analysis) — 25:44–27:35
• Denver Nuggets Fit & Offense Analysis — 18:16–21:42
• Minnesota “Finals Right Now” — 42:56–43:18
• OKC as Best Option? — 45:28–46:30
• Houston/“KD, Giannis, Playmaker Away” — 32:17–34:22
• San Antonio/New Age Twin Towers — 53:16–53:49

Final Thoughts & Tone

The episode is self-aware, tongue-in-cheek, and filled with running jokes about trading Giannis for absurd packages — yet it consistently circles back to smart basketball chemistry, timeline, and front office critique. The hosts maintain an irreverently honest style: “I don’t want to play this game anymore!" Raja groans at one point—still, they power through every scenario with NBA depth and humor.

In sum:
If you ever dreamed of seeing Giannis on your favorite team, this is your dopamine hit — but beware, not every trade makes sense, and some inspire deep existential groans (and a reality check for certain GMs).