The Ringer NBA Show – Group Chat: Preseason Power Rankings Pt. 5 (October 13, 2025)

Hosts: Justin Verrier, Wosny "Big Woz" Lambre, Rob Mahoney
Main Theme: Deep dive into teams ranked #6–10 in the Ringer NBA Preseason Power Rankings, including late-breaking Lakers and LeBron news, each team's existential questions, and the season's biggest subplots.

Overview

This episode of Group Chat delivers Part 5 of the Ringer NBA Show's preseason power rankings, focusing on teams in the #6–10 range as well as urgent breaking news around LeBron James and the Lakers. The crew—Justin Verrier, Big Woz, and Rob Mahoney—discuss pressing injury updates, shifting team dynamics centered around superstar absences and arrivals, and what to expect from key offseason additions and returning contenders in the 2025-26 NBA campaign. Rich with sharp analysis and trademark wit, this pod dissects the Warriors, Clippers, Magic, Lakers, and Timberwolves, balancing existential concerns with tiered optimism and skepticism.

Opening: Emergency Lakers Update & LeBron Sciatica (00:42–10:00)

Breaking News: LeBron Out With Sciatica

• Context: Lakers superstar LeBron James is ruled out to start the season (reevaluation in 3–4 weeks) due to right side sciatica.
• Justin (01:22):

  “LeBron is actually going to be out to start a season pretty much for the first time in his entire career…Which is to say, Woz, my first thought about this whole thing is that sciatica just seems like an old guy issue, and it really just hammered home how old and like deep into LeBron’s career we actually are, bro.”

• Woz (02:41):

  “This is how we know he’s in his Robert Parish on the Bulls era of his career. Because I’m like, what’s like an old fogey ailment…Glaucoma?”

• Both hosts agree LeBron’s missed games are “baked in” at this point, and the Lakers’ offseason pivot to Luka Doncic is proving crucial.

Health, Suspicion & Load Management

• Sciatica “maintenance” is likely to linger, and there’s speculation if LeBron’s absence is partially “quiet quitting,” though all reporting suggests it’s legit (04:43).
• Justin (06:03): "When you get toward 40, things just start aching. It’s a pain management issue… compounded by the fact that JJ Redick is out here saying… LeBron is on his own timeline, which could be pointed."
• Woz (06:52): "I feel like JJ of all people would be on board with LeBron and how he’s managing things… Just take it one step at a time."

Power Rankings Impact?

• Justin (07:31): Lakers are ranked 7th; should they drop?
• Woz (07:46):

  "I don’t… I base my power rankings on what do I think these guys can do in the postseason. If there were a playoff game in two days, LeBron and his sciatica would be out there, you know, and so I haven’t really changed how I feel about the Lakers."

  • Luka Doncic expected to shoulder the load and is on a “revenge tour.”
• Increased roles highlighted for Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves in LeBron's absence (10:00).

Segment: Millennial House Fire Dilemma (11:35–16:10)

Classic Ringer banter as the panel muses on what material possession they’d save from a house fire (mostly “my laptop”) before diving into the teams.

Preseason Power Rankings, Teams 10–6

#10 — Golden State Warriors: The Kumingaverse (16:28–27:50)

KUMINGA DRAMA: Asset or Afterthought?

• Justin (17:46):

  "On a scale from 1 to 10… how much does [Kuminga] matter to the bottom line of this team to begin with?"

• Warriors’ negotiation hardball: Kuminga is the latest in a long line after Steph, Draymond, Iguodala, and Klay (19:57).
• Rob (20:06): "They either need him to be productive or they need a productive player in his place… a lot of guys are playing over their heads in the rotation, and then at the top end, it’s guys who are 36, 35, 37, now 39."
• Woz (21:48): "What could be reasonably expected from Jonathan Kaminga…? Is it just Isaiah Joe-like, would we be happy with that?"
• They debate whether Kuminga should be a 7/10 in impact ("they need a 7") or if lack of buy-in means he's more like a 4/10 as Justin argues (24:40).

Depth, Old Guys & Playoff Ceiling

• Adding vets—Al Horford, D. Melton, Seth Curry—helps, but role player production and injuries are looming issues.
• Rob (26:07): "The idea of having a young, springy forward who can get buckets is, in theory, appealing... but they need somebody who’s going to produce in the regular season."

Postseason Outlook

• Warriors’ strategic challenge: do they have matchup advantages against OKC, Houston (KD), or Denver (Jokic)?
• Rob (28:48): "As we’re talking through that, what I’m hearing is that the Warriors are like the Djokovic of the NBA... Why would we be scared of any of these other Western Clippers?"

#9 — Los Angeles Clippers: The Wise Expendables (30:17–47:18)

Kawhi-gate & NBA Governance

• The ongoing investigation into Kawhi Leonard's free agency/business dealings looms but doesn't faze Kawhi or the team.
• Woz (31:51): "He doesn’t care, I promise you... Like, it doesn’t factor into his equation of what’s important."
• Media/political consequences speculated—if NBA governors gets riled, action could happen, but unlikely without economic or "bottom line" impact (36:39).

The NBA's Oldest Experiment

• Justin (40:00): "It's unlike anything I've seen... It's not just like the 'Lakers era Malone, Payton,' it's a lot of freaking guys. Chris Paul, Brook Lopez, Batum, Harden, Beal, Kawhi... that's 96 seasons of experience."
• Rob (41:00): "Warriors are better positioned as a playoff team. Clippers…better positioned as a regular season team. Because of the depth, even despite the age."
• Deep, physical, and defensively minded; Von Gundy gives stability on that front.

Rotation, Chemistry, and Bench X-factors

• Chris Paul, Beal, John Collins, Brook Lopez, and Derrick Jones Jr. all have clear, manageable roles—with intrigue over CP3's swan song and John Collins' rejuvenation.
• Woz (46:09): "I do really hope they maintain that defensive posture… we're going to suffocate people in an offense."

#8 — Orlando Magic: The Shooting Solution (47:18–58:52)

Swinging for Bane, Building Identity

• Offseason Move: Huge trade for Desmond Bane to add shooting alongside Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs.
• Justin (47:18): "They put their money where their mouth is… the expectations come fast and furiously because this team is going to get very expensive."
• Woz (48:53): "Bane is such a perfect bet… his shooting is not theoretical… their top four: Bane, Wagner, Suggs, Paolo… youth, athleticism, the motor… I'm just really excited."

Potential & Playoff Leap

• Crew sees Bane as most consistent; questions revolve around Paolo's leap, Franz's consistency/shooting, Suggs' health and shot.
• Rob (49:51): "What shooting does… is in theory allow Paolo to be the best version... He settles, he holds the ball too long… with Bane, hopefully, he'll be able to get inside more often."
• Woz (51:20): Biggest questions are Franz’s shot and Suggs’ durability.

If They Put It Together...

• Rob (55:41): “If they just get to league average offense, they are a dominant team.”
• Magic ranked just behind the Cavs and Knicks; if stars align, they're "knocking on the door."

#7 — Los Angeles Lakers: Luka Era Arrives (59:02–75:58)

Luka Doncic: New Face, New Body

• Luka is the centerpiece. Reported best shape of his career, PR blitz, and new extension signals franchise buy-in.
• Justin (59:34): "Doncic takes some thirst traps, and it’s a whole different situation."
• Rob (62:25): "Their offense is going to be great because Luka Doncic is going to be great. I am buying the thirst traps. I think he’s going to win MVP."
• Woz (68:37): "He’s taking a responsibility. He’s becoming a fucking man. Like, you are the Face of the biggest team in the NBA."

Roster Construction: Offense v. Defense

• Major question: Who guards guards? Backcourt rotation features Rui, Marcus Smart, Reaves, Vincent—none are true stoppers.
• Lakers are (oddly) built to guard bigger teams like Dallas, but not quick guards. Reaves expected to start.
• Rob (61:33): “Austin is not cut out for that role. Rui’s not. Luka’s not going to do it. They have had time now to reimagine themselves as a Luka team.”

LeBron’s Role & Team Upside

• LeBron’s buy-in remains critical, but there's sense he'll come around.
• Lakers must weigh deadline flexibility and the need for a defensive wing.
• Notable banter: Luka’s PR push is analyzed; the hosts agree it feels out of character and a bit forced, but reflects a new sense of responsibility as a Laker. The panel wants more genuine Luka stories in the media (70:46).

#6 — Minnesota Timberwolves: Stable, Dangerous, & Ready? (75:58–92:43)

Rock-Solid, But Is There Levelling Up?

• Wolves are "rock solid," but lost Nikhil Alexander-Walker and are betting on internal growth (Taran Shannon, Jalen Clark, Rob Dillingham) to fill playoff rotation spots.
• Rob (77:03): "They’re an awesome team and they give Denver in particular fits... Anthony Edwards is going to be a half step better, if not a full step better this season."
• Woz (78:08): "It’s funny because in the previous episodes we’ve talked about the continuity of Detroit and Orlando when Minnesota has that—but it’s Western Conference Finals level."

Key Questions

• Can Ant Edwards add post game/shot creation? Panel jokes about "superstar development cycle" (79:07).
• Will Jaden McDaniels carry second-half form for full season?
• Can young guards supplement aging Mike Conley?
• Julius Randle's continued fit and buy-in as “Swiss Army knife”-type is crucial (87:08).

Nas Reed vs. Nikhil: The Value of Bigs

• Departed Nikhil will be missed as a wing/defender, but Nas is vital to their “Denver matchup” identity, stretching Jokic (90:38).
  • Woz (91:50): “Jaden McDaniels, definitely… what he brings to bear defensively, and then it’s Nas to me."
• A future cap crunch looms with heavy commitments to bigs.

Notable Quotes

• Rob Mahoney (62:25):
  “Their offense is going to be great because Luka Doncic is going to be great. I am buying the thirst traps. I think he’s going to win MVP.”
• Big Woz (68:37):
  “He’s taking responsibility… becoming a fucking man. Like, you are the face of the biggest team in the NBA.”
• Justin Verrier (71:18):
  “I still don’t know who Luka is, personally. Like, it almost works the opposite way. I’m like, what are you hiding?”
• Rob Mahoney (55:41):
  “If they just get to league average offense, they are a dominant team.”
• Big Woz (78:08):
  “It’s like Minnesota has that—but it’s Western Conference Finals level… their best player’s best NBA basketball is still yet to come.”

Key Timestamps

• 00:42–10:00: LeBron Lakers News Breakdown & Luka/Lakers Analysis
• 16:28–27:50: Warriors and the Kuminga Conundrum
• 30:17–47:18: Clippers, Kawhi drama, and their veteran depth
• 47:18–58:52: Magic's Bane addition, leap potential, and identity
• 59:02–75:58: Lakers, Luka’s arrival, and PR push
• 75:58–92:43: Timberwolves' stability, youth, rotation questions, and ceiling
• Throughout: Banter, quick detours, and running jokes, notably about Luka’s new image and Minnesota’s comparisons to the Buffalo Bills.

Takeaways

• The West’s Depth Is Unparalleled: All discussed teams are deep, star-studded, and have unique strengths—but also key existential questions.
• Superstar Health & Buy-In May Define the Tier: Lakers and Wolves’ fate shaped by LeBron’s rehab and Luka's seriousness; Timberwolves by internal growth and Ant’s next step.
• Fit, Motivation, and Margins: Warrior and Clippers success may hinge on gettable role player buy-in and wrestling with aging cores.
• Magic’s Ceiling = Sustained Offense: If Bane’s shooting unlocks Paolo and Franz, Orlando is ready for a break out.

Next Episode: The top five in the Ringer's Preseason Power Rankings—and the season’s “true contenders.”