The Ringer NBA Show: Breaking Down the Rookie Extension Deadline Buzzer-Beaters. Plus, Awards and Finals Picks.

Release Date: October 21, 2025
Hosts: Justin Verrier & Rob Mahoney
Episode Focus: An in-depth look at rookie contract extensions signed at the buzzer, plus Season Awards and NBA Finals predictions.

Episode Overview

On the eve of the NBA season, Justin Verrier and Rob Mahoney dive into the latest round of rookie extension deals, analyzing the thinking behind each move and what it means for teams’ futures. The duo also revisit their preseason power rankings in light of recent developments, preview their picks for end-of-season awards, and make their NBA Finals predictions. The podcast maintains The Ringer’s playful, self-aware tone, punctuated with dry humor and a deep knowledge of the league.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Rookie Extension Deadline — Who Got Paid, Who Didn’t

Buzzer-Beater Extensions (03:49–11:54)

• Headline Moves: Portland Trailblazers

  • Shaden Sharpe: 4 years, $90 million. Seen as a bit of a gamble with high upside.
    • Justin: “It really is a showcase opportunity for Shaden to be the go-to scorer on this team.” (06:26)
    • Concerns about motivation and consistency; question if the extension could reduce Sharpe’s “hunger” to improve as he’s already been paid.
    • Rob highlights the risk-reward: “If he is the best version of himself, he wildly outperforms this contract.” (05:09)
  • Tomani Kamara: 4 for 82 million. “No fuss” foundational role player. The team moves quickly to lock him in, rewarding his reliability and defensive chops.
    • Rob: "You just play it very simply, very straightforwardly with a guy who has become a pillar of your organization." (10:16)

• Other Big Extensions

  • Christian Braun (Nuggets): 5 years, $125 million. Debate over value—he’s “better than your average starter” (14:11), but the cost may push Denver hard against the new luxury tax apron.
    • Rob: “If you’re going to draw the line somewhere, why are you drawing it with a guy who plays hard as hell, who is a really good defender, who was one of the most improved players in the league last season?” (15:13)
  • Dyson Daniels (Hawks): 4 for $100 million. Reasonable price for a top defender, but offense still developing.
    • “For arguably the best perimeter defender in the league… yeah, I’ll live with whatever he can’t do right this second.” (17:30)
  • Nikola Jovic vs A.J. Green: Listeners’ choice on upside—Jovic offers intrigue but uncertainty; Green is a known plug-and-play shooter. (18:38–20:56)

Who Didn’t Get Extensions? (23:19–30:40)

• A long list including Jaden Ivey, Benedict Mathurin, Jeremy Sochan, Jalen Duren, Tari Eason, Mark Williams.
  • Reasons include injuries, incomplete development, or team interest in keeping future flexibility/restricted free agency leverage.
  • Justin: “Another part of this that we should talk about is restricted free agency. If you’re an organization, worked pretty well for you this offseason… might drive down the price of these guys.” (26:08)
  • Rob: “The guys who did not get deals are either the guys who have been kind of chronically or consistently injured, or the guys who have just been very difficult for their coaches to trust in.” (28:10)

2. Revisiting Power Rankings & Preseason Impressions

Houston Rockets Gaining Steam? (34:16–41:04)

• Injury to Fred VanVleet forcing experimentation; possibility of playing Reed Sheppard more.
  • Justin on experimentation: “I think it would be in their best interest… to force [coach] Udoka to have to play Reed Sheppard. Not only…” (36:08)
  • Both hosts are high on the young Rockets' potential with unconventional lineups, pairing Jabari Smith Jr. with Kevin Durant (now in Houston).
  • Rob stresses the positives: “In their way, they are a very experimental team… it’s not the most inventive offense in the world, but a lot of what they’re doing is very inventive.” (37:12)
• Chet Holmgren’s further development in OKC seen as critical to Thunder’s continued dominance.

Team Health Concerns & Surprises (41:04–48:33)

• Warriors are getting statistical model love, but hosts remain concerned about their regular season consistency.
• Spurs: Dylan Harper’s preseason emergence may complicate De’Aaron Fox’s fit.
  • “You cannot keep the ball out of Dylan Harper’s hands.” — Rob (44:07)
  • Justin: “When you’re not there, the world keeps going. Right? And it seems like that might be the case with what’s happening with Fox.” (44:07)
• Grizzlies’ constant point guard injuries — hosts question their preseason optimism about Memphis, given the chaos.

3. Notable & Memorable Moments

• Rob’s opening quip: “I am recently revived from the dead… I simply could not miss the start of all this.” (00:18)
• Justin on feeling old in NBA years: “Time has passed us by… But these bones are still getting up for [the season].” (00:43)
• Rob, describing Shaden Sharpe’s challenge: “Will he care literally any second that he’s playing defense?” (05:53)
• Rob, on the Six Man of the Year award: “Why is it not Nas Reed?”
• Justin: “Six man — a stupid fucking award that I hate that they give out. This is such a dumb ass award.” (61:47)
• On awards narratives: "Narrative plays a factor in this, if not the biggest factor." — Justin, on MVP (52:53)
• On Victor Wembanyama’s DPOY chances: “I propose that we find a smaller trophy… and we give that to the second place winner for the next decade because Wemby's going to keep piling [them up].” (61:01)
• On NBA’s changing economics: “There is just something you have to get over. The sticker shock, when you see Christian Braun at $25 million a year.” (13:46)

4. Awards Picks and Finals Predictions

Regular Season Awards (52:02–66:33)

• MVP: Both pick Luka Dončić, citing a “narrative crescendo” and fitness improvement.
  • “He looks incredible. He’s in very good shape. Clearly, he’s highly motivated.” — Rob (52:24)
  • Shay Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokić seen as strong runners-up if team records are historic.
• Most Improved Player: Differing takes.
  • Rob: Modest Bouzelis (Bulls) — “He might really surprise some people.” (55:38)
  • Justin: Deni Avdija — “He came on at the end of last season… the broader public probably didn’t catch on.” (57:48)
• Defensive Player of the Year: Victor Wembanyama unanimously, with Evan Mobley getting a “mini trophy.”
• Sixth Man: Rob votes for Nas Reid as the usual overlooked choice; Justin expects Anfernee Simons to win by putting up numbers for Boston.
• Rookie of the Year: Cooper Flagg in a landslide, praising his “shock and awe” preseason tape. (66:03)
• Coach of the Year: Rob goes with Jamahl Mosley (Magic), Justin with Quin Snyder (Hawks), both expecting significant win bumps for their clubs.

NBA Finals Picks (68:10–71:02)

• Rob: Thunder over Knicks. “I just feel like it’s going to be Thunder over Knicks.” (68:44)
• Justin: Nuggets over Knicks. “I see it all coming together with a couple of bench players...” (69:14)
• Both see the Knicks as legitimate Eastern contenders due to increased depth and continuity.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Rookie Extension Discussion (Trailblazers, Nuggets, Hawks, Heat): 03:49–20:56
• Who Didn’t Get Extensions & Strategic Reasons: 23:19–30:40
• Houston Rockets, Experimental Lineups, Changing Power Rankings: 34:16–41:04
• Preseason Standouts, Most Improved & Injury Fallout: 41:04–48:33
• Top 100 Debate (Joel Embiid), Return of Injured Stars: 48:45–52:02
• Season Awards Picks: 52:02–66:33
• Finals Predictions: 68:10–71:02

Summary

This episode is a wide-ranging, insight-packed preview of the start of the 2025–26 NBA season, with sharp analysis on rookie extensions, thoughtful context on who didn’t get paid (and why), and trademark Ringer banter riffing on everything from meme-able awards to team-building philosophy. The hosts candidly reveal their MVP and Finals picks, doubling down on their belief in the Thunder, Nuggets, and Knicks. Through it all, they never lose sight of the human side of team dynamics, the impact of injuries, and the narrative currents that so often define NBA history.

For listeners wanting a comprehensive, entertaining guide to the NBA’s evolving landscape as the new season tips off, this episode is a must-listen.