The Ringer NBA Show – Group Chat

Episode: Preseason Power Rankings, Part 4
Hosts: Justin Verrier (A), Wosny “Big Wos” Lambre (B), Rob Mahoney (C)
Date: October 9, 2025

Episode Overview

In this lively and insight-packed episode of Group Chat, the trio continues their comprehensive preseason power rankings, breaking down NBA teams ranked 15 through 11. The conversation is a true blend of hoops nerdery and sharp banter, blending deep-dive analysis with existential questions about each roster’s trajectory. The episode highlights the impact of blockbuster moves, fascinating star dynamics, looming contract questions, positional logjams, and the “vibes” that could make or break a team’s season.

Key Segments & Timestamps

• [00:00] Podcast banter and intros
• [05:22] Preseason Power Rankings Introduction
• [06:00] #15 Dallas Mavericks
• [20:06] #14 Memphis Grizzlies
• [32:51] #13 San Antonio Spurs
• [46:42] #12 Detroit Pistons
• [55:56] #11 Atlanta Hawks

Detailed Team Breakdowns & Notable Moments

Dallas Mavericks (#15)

(Segment begins at [05:22])

Main Takeaways

• Cooper Flagg Effect:
  The Mavericks improbably land the #1 pick, Cooper Flagg, reenergizing the franchise and altering both their present potential and future outlook.

  “It’s impossible to overstate how it has changed everything with the team. It has given them a future that they traded away.” – Rob (06:10)

• Flagg’s Year-One Expectations:
  The crew compares Flagg’s role to a rookie Blake Griffin or Jayson Tatum—being asked to shoulder unusually big responsibilities early, but with a high “floor” due to his mentality and two-way skill.
• Crowded Frontcourt:
  With Anthony Davis wanting more time at the four, plus extensions for both Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington, the Mavericks have a glut—forcing tricky decisions and likely trades.

  “PJ Washington in particular just feels like a prime trade candidate. He cannot be that important on a team that has Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg on it.” – Rob (10:51)

• Point Guard Uncertainty:
  Kyrie Irving’s status is highly questionable, with D’Angelo Russell only a stopgap. The Mavs lack enough ball-handlers.
• ‘Twin Peaks’ Nickname:
  After Nico Harrison (GM) is spotted at Twin Peaks sports bar, they nickname the Davis-Lively frontcourt “The True Twin Peaks” in a rare moment of Mavs levity.

  “I would like to propose that we refer to the Anthony Davis-Derek Lively frontcourt as the True Twin Peaks.” – Rob (14:57)

Existential Question

• How does this frontcourt glut resolve—and will their size become an advantage or a problem before Kyrie returns?

Memphis Grizzlies (#14)

(Segment begins at [20:06])

Main Takeaways

• Major Reset:
  The Grizzlies make the bold, rare choice to trade Desmond Bane, injecting uncertainty but aiming for higher future upside.

  “This team wasn’t going to take a next step because of something Desmond Bane did… it was going to be because of Ja Morant.” – Big Wos (22:06)

• Pressure on Ja Morant:
  All eyes on Ja to both step up and simply stay healthy. Past absences and uneven playoff results haunt this team:

  “The Grizzlies are like 9 and 18 in the playoffs during the Ja Morant era.” – Rob (24:10)

• Changing the Timeline:
  Jaren Jackson Jr.’s injury and extension, frontcourt injuries to Edie, Aldama's increased importance, and new coach Tama Cisolo add volatility and opportunity for role players.
• Plenty of Depth:
  Young wings/forwards abound, meaning not everyone can play—potential for further trades.
• Putting Up or Shutting Up:
  The roster, especially Ja, now must prove they’re true franchise cornerstones.

Existential Question

• Can you win a title with Ja Morant as your number one? Or even keep him on the floor long enough to find out?

San Antonio Spurs (#13)

(Segment begins at [32:51])

Main Takeaways

• Wembanyama+Fox Partnership:
  Huge excitement over the potential pairing of Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox, but sample size is tiny and the pressure is high already.

  “We only got 120 minutes of it last year… but it already feels like it’s on the clock.” – Justin (35:57)

• Backcourt Logjam & Tumult:
  With Fox, rookie Dylan Harper (injured), Castle (defensive-minded, shot is a work in progress), and Carter Bryant all needing developmental reps—balancing the need to win now with developing the future is tricky.

  “It’s a powder keg of a situation… ultimately a good problem to have.” – Justin (38:19)

• Who Starts, Who Sits:
  Does Castle get the nod out of respect/achievement? Can Harper or Bryant leapfrog veterans?
• Wemby’s Role & Growth:
  All agree Wembanyama already warps games with his defense, but the hosts want to see even more rim-rolling and physical presence.

  “I want to see Wemby threatening the basket… if this guy is going to make defenses panic, it’s not because he’s dribbling 25 feet out and taking jump shots.” – Wos (44:00)

Existential Question

• Is the Fox–Wembanyama partnership for real—and how do the Spurs untangle their guard situation on the fly?

Detroit Pistons (#12)

(Segment begins at [46:42])

Main Takeaways

• Continuity, Identity, and Grit:
  Most of last year’s young core returns, carrying forward an identity built on toughness (and frequent skirmishes).

  “I love this about them though. I love their edge, in part because it’s not a front—these guys are maniacs.” – Rob (51:01)

• The Cade Leap:
  Cade Cunningham’s improvement as a pick-and-roll scorer and transition threat, plus his budding chemistry with Duren and Thompson, could fuel a leap.

  “They have an elite guy at the point of attack. That’s what you need to be most excited about Detroit—Cade Cunningham.” – Wos (53:53)

• Managing the Young Wings:
  Questions about fit and development for Ron Holland (very young, big upside but jumper is a question), Ausar Thompson (elite defender), and Ivey (trying to claw back into a central role).
• Toughness as Identity:
  The team’s “maniac” competitive streak might be worth a few suspensions—but it’s authentic to what works for them.

Existential Question

• How will their gritty identity translate—and can Cade go from “potential star” to true franchise guy to lead a leap?

Atlanta Hawks (#11)

(Segment begins at [55:56])

Main Takeaways

• The New Nerd-Chic Team:
  After years of being overlooked, the Hawks are now analytics darlings: deep, athletic, and filled with interesting skill sets, especially for defense.

  “It just works for him and it just works for the Hawks. Like, this roster, this construction, everything that they’ve brought in, I’m very excited about.” – Rob (56:56)

• Trey’s Essential Question:
  Is Trae Young more essential or expendable now that the Hawks are so well-rounded? Hosts agree his playmaking is irreplaceable but wonder if newfound depth gives them forgiveness for his defense.

  “I still think Trae is essential. What he does can’t be replicated anywhere else on the roster.” – Rob (61:53)

• Frontcourt Intrigue/Health:
  Porzingis, Jalen Johnson, Okongwu—can these talents play together and, more fundamentally, stay healthy?
• Rise of the Wings:
  Influx of defensive-minded wings like N. Alexander-Walker and Dyson Daniels (“It should be illegal to play them together.” – Rob, 64:29) changes the equation on both ends.
• Contract Looms Large:
  Trey’s contract status is an undercurrent throughout—would the Hawks really let him walk or not give a supermax?

Existential Question

• Does Trae Young prove himself indispensable for THIS version of the Hawks—or does the depth allow Atlanta to imagine moving on?
  [“What would change it… would be if Jalen Johnson and Zachary Reisha Shay completely elevate as playmakers. Maybe you can look at different types of guards.” – Rob (63:06)]

Memorable Quotes

• On Cooper Flagg:
  “His floor as a rookie I think is quite high… by all accounts, the mentality you’re talking about, Justin—like a fucking killer. Just wants to get after people.” – Rob ([08:47])

• On Grizzlies reshuffle:
  “This team wasn’t going to take a next step because of something Desmond Bane did… it was going to be because of Ja Morant.” – Wos ([22:06])

• On Wemby’s progression:
  “I want to see Wemby threatening the basket… not dribbling 25 feet out and taking jump shots.” – Wos ([44:00])

• On Cade’s leap:
  “Cade Cunningham and an elite guy who makes all these other scrappy guys better. Actively.” – Wos ([53:51]), Rob ([53:58])

• On Hawks’ defensive wings:
  “It should be illegal to play Dyson Daniels and Nikhil Alexander-Walker together.” – Rob ([64:29])

Summary Table: Existential Questions by Team

| Team | Existential Question Summed Up | |:----------:| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Mavericks | How do you resolve the frontcourt logjam, and is this season a prelude or pivot point? | | Grizzlies | Is Ja the guy—or even a reliably available guy—for a true title run? | | Spurs | Will Fox-Wemby be a real foundational duo, and can they untangle their guard rotation? | | Pistons | Can toughness and Cade’s ascension combine for a real leap—or will inexperience bite? | | Hawks | Is this the year Trae Young proves indispensable, or will the “depth era” change that? |

Final Thoughts

This episode shines for both its tactical depth and its emotional, existential NBA questioning—a blend of fun, sharp skepticism, and real “inside the league” context. The hosts keep the energy high, riff, and challenge each other, always providing a grounded sense of what matters as fans eye the 2025-26 NBA season.

Next up: The top 10 in the power rankings—“If you followed us this long, God bless you.”