The Best and Worst Moves of the Offseason (So Far). Plus, the Clippers Are Up to Something. | Group Chat

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Best and Worst Moves of the Offseason (So Far). Plus, the Clippers Are Up to Something | Group Chat

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Ringer NBA Show
• Host/Authors: Rob Mahoney, Justin Barrier, Wosny Lambre (Woz)
• Episode: The Best and Worst Moves of the Offseason (So Far). Plus, the Clippers Are Up to Something. | Group Chat
• Release Date: July 7, 2025

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1. Introduction

The episode kicks off with Rob Mahoney humorously acknowledging various advertisements before diving into the main discussion. The hosts—Justin Barrier, Rob Mahoney, and Woz—embark on a comprehensive analysis of the NBA offseason moves, highlighting the best and worst trades, and delving into specific team strategies, particularly focusing on the Clippers.

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2. Summer League Insights

Host Insights: Justin Barrier opens the conversation by referencing a Bronny James Corner Three highlight, signaling the official start of the NBA summer. The discussion quickly shifts to the value and perception of Summer League performances.

Key Points:

• Rob Mahoney's Stance: Rob expresses skepticism about televised Summer League, emphasizing that it's an experience best witnessed in person. He states, “[02:07] Rob Mahoney: I only watch summer league basketball in person. It's the kind of experience that has to be felt to be believed.”

• Woz's Perspective: Woz shares anecdotal insights from friends questioning the reality versus the televised portrayal of Summer League, highlighting the unpredictability and often disappointing nature of the games.

• Justin Barrier's View: Justin underscores the difficulty in assessing player potential solely based on Summer League performances, stressing the importance of understanding the underlying indicators beyond the surface noise.

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3. Major Offseason Trade: Heat, Clippers, and Jazz Three-Team Deal

Trade Overview: A significant three-team trade involves the Miami Heat acquiring Norm Powell from the Clippers, the Clippers obtaining John Collins from the Jazz, and the Jazz receiving Kevin Love, Kyle Anderson, a second-round pick (20, 27), and other assets.

Analysis:

• Miami Heat's Acquisition of Norm Powell:

  • Rob Mahoney: Critiques the Clippers for trading Powell seemingly for minimal return, noting his contract situation isn’t ideal for long-term plans. “[04:25] Rob Mahoney: ... you're getting a bit of a rental.”

  • Woz: Highlights Powell's impressive previous season but points out his age (31) and lack of postseason impact as reasons for the Clippers' decision. “[05:21] Woz: ... he’s not like some spring chicken and he didn't have an amazing postseason either.”

  • Justin Barrier: Discusses Powell's defensive complexities when paired with Tyler Herro and his strengths as a catch-and-shoot player, noting his efficiency. “[06:00] Justin Barrier: ... Norm Powell flirted with All-Star bid last year.”

• Clippers' Acquisition of John Collins:

  • Rob Mahoney: Praises the acquisition, emphasizing Collins’ fit within the Clippers' defensive identity and the flexibility he brings to the roster. “[07:03] Rob Mahoney: ... Collins is going to have to take threes.”

  • Woz: Appreciates Collins' defensive capabilities and his role in maintaining the Clippers' defensive standards. “[12:22] Woz: ... he’s a more natural fit... can improve upon it.”

Quotes:

• Rob Mahoney on the trade’s value: “[04:25] Rob Mahoney: ... it's a pretty sweet situation for Miami...”
• Justin Barrier on Gym Cap Efficiency: “[06:39] Justin Barrier: ... it's Nikola Jokic, pretty good shooting season.”

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4. Bradley Beal's Trade Situation

Discussion Highlights: Bradley Beal, holding a substantial no-trade clause and a hefty salary ($50 million/year), is a focal point of trade speculation.

Insights:

• Justin Barrier: Questions the Clippers' interest in Beal, citing his high salary and the challenges of fitting him into a competitive lineup without disrupting team chemistry. “[16:02] Justin Barrier: ... Do I want Brad Beal with a no trade clause making $50 million a year? No.”

• Woz: Emphasizes the personal challenges Beal faces, including family considerations and the impact of relocation on his personal life. “[18:22] Woz: It’s looking for a kid to be having to move school to school...”

• Rob Mahoney: Discusses the human aspect of Beal’s decisions, acknowledging the complexities beyond just financial and team fit. “[19:02] Rob Mahoney: ... it’s a non-trivial part of this.”

Quotes:

• Justin Barrier on Beal's Value: “[16:02] Justin Barrier: ... I want Brad Beal with a no trade clause making $50 million a year? No.”

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5. Utah Jazz's Offseason Moves

Trade Overview: The Utah Jazz have traded John Collins and Kevin Love, signaling a shift in their strategy towards younger talent and cap flexibility.

Analysis:

• Rob Mahoney: Expresses skepticism about the immediate benefits of trading Collins, questioning whether the Jazz gains significant improvements. “[22:05] Rob Mahoney: ... it's not an easy pathway for him to play minutes of the five.”

• Woz: Critiques the Jazz's front office decisions, labeling them as possible tanking moves while recognizing the long-term possibilities. “[22:49] Woz: ... trying to see what's going on there.”

• Justin Barrier: Highlights the uncertainty surrounding Kevin Love’s future with the Jazz and the potential implications for the team's dynamics. “[24:11] Justin Barrier: ... love, how's that playing out.”

Quotes:

• Rob Mahoney on Trading Collins: “[22:05] Rob Mahoney: ... given how young their backcourt is particularly...”

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6. Best Moves of the Offseason

a. Houston Rockets Acquiring Kevin Durant

• Rob Mahoney: Declares the Rockets’ acquisition of Kevin Durant as the best move of the offseason, citing Durant’s fit and the strategic benefits under head coach Ime Udoka. “[29:18] Rob Mahoney: ... how KD fits exactly what they needed from a shot creation standpoint.”

• Woz: Agrees, emphasizing Durant’s professionalism and commitment to the team’s structure, drawing parallels to Aaron Rodgers’ approach in football. “[29:46] Woz: ... it's like a complete no-brainer.”

b. Orlando Magic Trading for Desmond Bane

• Justin Barrier: Praises the Magic for acquiring Desmond Bane, noting it as a decisive move to elevate the team's competitive edge in the Eastern Conference. “[35:38] Justin Barrier: ... a declaration. We're here to compete.”

• Rob Mahoney: Supports the move, highlighting the Magic’s intent to build immediately around young talents like Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. “[36:49] Rob Mahoney: ... they're going to add that for the team.”

c. Atlanta Hawks Acquiring Nikhil Alexander-Walker

• Rob Mahoney: Commends the Hawks for obtaining Alexander-Walker, enhancing their wing depth and defensive versatility. “[37:48] Rob Mahoney: ... making them a team that...”

• Woz: Applauds the strategic depth added to the Hawks, making their defensive and offensive schemes more flexible. “[38:32] Woz: ... giving them options to work with.”

Quotes:

• On Durant’s Fit: “[29:18] Rob Mahoney: ... I think that's the best move of the offseason so far.”
• On Magic’s Strategy: “[35:38] Justin Barrier: ... declaration. We're here to compete.”

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7. Worst Moves of the Offseason

a. Bulls Trading Lonzo Ball for Isaac Okoro

• Rob Mahoney: Criticizes the Bulls for trading a versatile player like Lonzo Ball for Isaac Okoro, questioning the value addition. “[46:02] Rob Mahoney: ... Isaac Okoro is not valuable to your team.”

• Woz: Agrees, pointing out the redundancy of acquiring Okoro when the Bulls already have Patrick Williams. “[46:06] Woz: ... y’all have Patrick Williams as wing guy.”

b. Utah Jazz Trading Colin Sexton

• Justin Barrier: Expresses confusion over the Jazz trading Colin Sexton, suggesting it might be due to locker room issues or front office instability. “[40:57] Justin Barrier: ... just too late.”

• Rob Mahoney: Doubts the trade’s rationale, questioning the Jazz’s decision to part with a productive player for a minimal return. “[41:08] Rob Mahoney: ... it’s just too late.”

c. Pelicans' Offseason Maneuvers

• Woz: Labels the Pelicans’ moves as self-sabotaging, particularly criticizing their handling of veterans and front office decisions. “[39:36] Woz: ... ownership group... some of the worst guys in the league.”

• Rob Mahoney: Echoes the sentiment, highlighting the negative impact on team morale and fan perception. “[40:12] Rob Mahoney: ... they're right up there with Vivek...”

Quotes:

• On Lonzo Ball Trade: “[46:02] Rob Mahoney: ... Isaac Okoro does not solve any problem.”
• On Jazz’s Sexton Trade: “[41:08] Woz: ... strategies are clearly off.”

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8. Honorable Mentions

Under-the-Radar Moves:

• Clippers' Defensive Strategy: Rob and Woz appreciate the Clippers’ focus on enhancing their defensive lineup, ensuring continuity and improvement from the previous season. “[12:22] Woz: ... keeps that defensive standard where it was.”

• Washington Wizards’ Acquisitions:

  • Cam Whitmore: Justin Barrier lauds the Wizards for acquiring Whitmore through second-round picks, providing depth without sacrificing draft assets. “[50:32] Justin Barrier: ... getting Cam Whitmore and more opportunities.”

• Atlanta Hawks and New Signings:

  • Freddie Van Vleet and Others: Woz praises the Hawks for their culturally fitting additions, like Van Vleet, which bolster the team’s ethos and on-court performance. “[33:58] Woz: ... temperamentally...”

Quotes:

• On Whitmore’s Fit: “[50:36] Justin Barrier: ... he's a good player in his own right.”
• On Clippers’ Defensive Focus: “[12:22] Woz: ... can improve upon it.”

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9. Big Questions Remaining

Key Topics:

• Free Agency and Cap Space: The hosts discuss the evolving landscape of NBA free agency, particularly how teams with limited or manipulated cap spaces are adapting to player movements and contract structures.

• Future of Restricted Free Agents: Concern is raised about the status of restricted free agents lacking substantial offers and the limited options available due to the stringent cap environment.

• Long-Term Team Strategies: The conversation touches on whether teams will continue to prioritize immediate gains through veteran signings or shift back to more balanced roster constructions emphasizing youth and flexibility.

Insights:

• Justin Barrier: Speculates on a potential shift back towards traditional free agency models as teams recalibrate their financial strategies, prompting more significant player movements. “[65:32] Rob Mahoney: ...”

• Rob Mahoney: Emphasizes the importance of drafting well and maintaining flexibility in roster construction to navigate the constrained free agency landscape. “[66:02] Rob Mahoney: ...”

Quotes:

• On Free Agency Evolution: “[65:32] Woz: ... how do you get these guys in the door?”
• On Restricted Free Agents: “[68:17] Woz: ... they are going to have to take low ball extension offers.”

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10. Conclusion

The hosts wrap up the episode by summarizing the key offseason moves, reiterating the standout best and worst trades, and highlighting the enduring questions surrounding team strategies and player movements. They provide a light-hearted end, hinting at future discussions and maintaining a collegial rapport among themselves.

Final Thoughts:

• Justin Barrier: Reflects on the dynamic nature of the offseason, anticipating more adjustments as the NBA landscape continues to evolve. “[67:23] Justin Barrier: ... we just have to get through the adjustment period.”

• Rob Mahoney & Woz: Express optimism for upcoming podcasts and express interest in future team developments and player performances.

Closing Quote: Justin humorously concludes, “This has been the latest episode of three fatherless men debating the merits of parenthood. You know, I'm just saying, look, ...”

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Rob Mahoney on Summer League Experience:

  • “[02:07] Rob Mahoney: I only watch summer league basketball in person. It's the kind of experience that has to be felt to be believed.”

• Justin Barrier on Clipper’s Norm Powell Trade:

  • “[06:48] Rob Mahoney: As it turned out.”
  • “[06:49] Justin Barrier: ... tied for fourth in the league for catch and shoot efficiency.”

• Rob Mahoney on Best Offseason Move:

  • “[29:18] Rob Mahoney: ... I think that's the best move of the offseason so far.”

• Justin Barrier on Worst Move - Bulls Trade:

  • “[46:02] Rob Mahoney: ... Isaac Okoro does not solve any problem for your team.”

• Woz on Pelicans' Front Office:

  • “[40:12] Woz: ... some of the worst guys in the league.”

• Justin Barrier on Free Agency Future:

  • “[65:32] Woz: ... how do you get these guys in the door?”

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This summary encapsulates the core discussions and analyses presented in the podcast episode, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the NBA offseason's pivotal moves, their implications, and the strategic directions of various teams.

Transcript

[Rob Mahoney]

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[Rob Mahoney]

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[Justin Barrier]

I am Justin Barrier and joining me, Rob Mahoney. Big was I think I was served a Bronnie James Corner three highlight yesterday, which means it is officially this summer in the NBA. Rob, have you been breaking down those those breakaway dunks? Comparing them to old LeBron tapes?

[Rob Mahoney]

I did see the breakaway dunk. Congratulations to Bronnie James on his breakaway dunk. It was maybe a little overhyped based on the captioning. I'm going to say that a little too much sizzle on that particular stake, but I support him in all of his future endeavors.

[Woz]

The caption I saw, and I don't remember who put it up there, it said year two Bronnie has begun the.

[Justin Barrier]

Problem.

[Rob Mahoney]

In summer league. Yeah, in the California Classic. Not even real summer league. Off brand summer league.

[Justin Barrier]

Well, Rob, you're not a summer league guy. Or at the very least a tepid summer league guy. Like when you're not grinding the tape with the true like sickos out there watching the Utah Summer League.

[Rob Mahoney]

I only watch summer league basketball in person. It's the kind of experience that has to be felt to be believed. If you're out here watching. And look, look, I'm going to admit this. I did see some topic highlights that nearly pulled me in, that nearly, nearly got me on board as far as watching the televised summer league experience. But otherwise it's so easy to over index on this stuff. It's so EAS to buy in on like one exciting performance on one random day in July. And that's just not what we're here for, you know, we're here for prospect hunting, we're here for information gathering. I want to do it boots on the ground style. Justin.

[Woz]

I enjoy the texts that I get from my civilian buddies. Every summer, at least two or three people will text me like, is this as bad as it looks on tv? Yes, it's actually worse.

[Justin Barrier]

Yakushunas is really has to step it up after all those turnovers in two games. Yeah, it's definitely a mirage. Although I think when a player does well enough in that setting, it foretells something. So you really just have to know how to look through all the noise to find like the indicators. And you're right, it's much tougher to do from afar than you are, like smelling the summer league atmosphere and really seeing what's going on there. But I'm not going this year. Rob, I don't think you're going this year.

[Rob Mahoney]

I actually am. And boss, you're going to be out there as well.

[Woz]

Yes, sir.

[Rob Mahoney]

See this thing. Until you sweat in that Vegas heat, you don't really know if these prospects are any good yet or not. So Woz and I are going to find out firsthand, I think.

[Justin Barrier]

Okay, well, good luck to you guys. I will be in the moderate temperature in the 70 degrees in my garden, so that's fine.

[Rob Mahoney]

Well, also sweating it out though, you know, doing the real work.

[Woz]

Yeah, doing manual labor.

[Justin Barrier]

All right, well, we're going to get into some of the best and worst moves of the off season thus far. Still a little bit out there going on, including this trade that just kind of popped up out of nowhere. So a three team deal involving the Heat, Clippers and Jazz. The Heat get Norm Powell from the Clippers, the Clippers get John Collins from the Jazz, and then the Jazz reap Kevin Love, who was already tweeting his way through the trade reaction. Kyle Anderson, slow mo and a 20, 27 second round pick. Rob, where do you want to start here? You want to start with Norm Powell going to the Heat?

[Rob Mahoney]

Yeah, it's kind of crazy that this is all it took to get Norm Powell like I and you know, his contract situation. Not exactly a long term arrangement right now. So you're, you're getting a bit of a rental. But Kyle Anderson and Kevin Love's contract and they're not even the team to give up the second round pick in the deal. I think it's a pretty, pretty sweet situation for Miami who as we talked about last week is just in such a weird spot and was in such desperate need for offense. Here's a spark plug, you know, here is a sign of life in terms of what that half court offense in particular could actually be.

[Woz]

Yeah, I mean, Norm Powell had the best year of his life last year. So I think folks are like, man, this seems like nothing to give up for a guy who was on so many people's all star short list, like just off of the cutting room floor. Especially us were blown away by the season that he had. That being said, the guy's about to be 31.

[Rob Mahoney]

Sure.

[Woz]

You know, he's not like some spring chicken and he didn't have a, an amazing postseason either. And so you can kind of understand why the Clippers would be like, ah, maybe this guy isn't so essential to what we need to do next year. But completely like Miami, who's just feels like they're always desperate for firepower, you know, letting go of Duncan Robinson, bringing in some extra 3 point firepower in Norm Powell. It all makes sense. And he has some on ball juice that obviously Duncan Robinson never had until that one series he played against Boston. It's just pretty cool.

[Justin Barrier]

Yeah, I don't totally get where he fits in with the Heat. I assume he'll play a big role, but starting him next to Tyler Herrel seems pretty complicated defensively. On the other end, he just is a very good player that you got for virtually nothing and they need as much offense as you can get. Powell flirted with all Star bid last year. He was pretty good up until like around the end of the season. He kind of fell off. Then in the playoffs you saw some of the defensive concerns kind of pop back in there. But third. Tied for third in the league in catch and shoot. Three point efficiency. Excuse me. Fourth. Tied in the league for fourth. You know who he's tied with by the way?

[Rob Mahoney]

Catch and shoot efficiency. Is this volume controlled?

[Justin Barrier]

I don't know, but I'm just going to tell you. It's Nikola Jokic, pretty good shooting season.

[Rob Mahoney]

As it turned out.

[Justin Barrier]

It's like Taurean Prince, Luke Canard, Isaiah Joe, Nikola Jokic, which is kind of unbelievable. So like for me, the Heat part of this is pretty straightforward. It's like they got a good player for nothing and they can figure it out from there.

[Rob Mahoney]

Yeah, I think the question is, is what you kind of illuminated there, Justin. Like do you start him with Tyler Hero in the backcourt with presumably Andrew Wiggins on the wing? Or my preference would be bring Norm off the bench again, start Davion Mitchell, have a little bit more of that on ball defense to balance out what Tyler Herro is giving you. I guess the question there is, like, is. Is Norm too good for that now? Is he. Is he too good and too proven a scorer to go back to a bench role, especially when it's one for a team like the Heat who just isn't necessarily boasting the same kind of talent overall that the Clippers were. You know, I think it's one thing if you're like, okay, I'm taking a back seat to, you know, James Harden over here and Kawhi Leonard coming back over there, but when it's like, this is a Tyler hero and Bam, Adebayo led team, I don't deserve to start on it. That maybe that is more of a negotiation than. Than we would be led to believe.

[Woz]

And when your center is Bam, like, sizing up everybody, like, Wiggins at the 4 and maybe Norm at the 3, like, that's not a good. Like, I think your offense would pop. Honestly, I think you would have a nice little offensive rotation there, but defensively, geez Louise, that would be so problematic. You know, the situation on the boards would be just a mess. And so, yeah, somebody's got to come off that bench. And I wouldn't be surprised if it was Davion, considering his contract. And even if you just consider Powell's sort of stature is. He's, you know, he's a more proven player. He's got more cachet than Davion, so I could understand that happening as well.

[Rob Mahoney]

Well, regardless of where he plays, like, The Heat were 21st in offense last season. Yeah. Does this get them above average? Like, yeah, not. Not even that far. You don't think.

[Woz]

No, it's tough.

[Justin Barrier]

I guess it. I guess it depends on how much you could balance it defensively with the two big lineups that they're kind of defaulting to, like, can wear. And Bam basically shut down the paint in a way that just makes them credible enough on that end that they could sacrifice some of the wing defense. Yeah, that's like. That's a path forward. Powell is bulkier and can play with a little bit more force when he wants to. How much he'll do that next year is kind of an open question, but I also think, like, he's in a contract year, which is. Which is a small wrinkle to this all, and so maybe he's looking to be the best version that they need him to be so he can get paid again.

[Woz]

One last job. Yeah, those movies.

[Rob Mahoney]

So three passes a game from Norm instead of two you think?

[Justin Barrier]

They're not coming from Tyler Hero, I'll tell you that.

[Woz]

Well, Davion Mitchell too, because he did at the end of the season and in the playoffs this guy was just on a torrid shooting pace. If this guy's jump shot is now a legitimate weapon, I think these questions about their offense become a different if what we saw at the end because like he just played insanely good.

[Rob Mahoney]

Yeah.

[Woz]

Best ball of his career by far. It's not even close. He never had any stretches before this where obviously he brings all of these tough guy hard nose stuff on defense, like that's his calling card. But his pull up three point game was crazy. Like teams had to stop going under screens with this guy. If that's real, then yeah, the offense just, you know, just goes up.

[Justin Barrier]

Yeah. I think the crazy part is also that the Clippers kind of move past needing him so much, especially once Kawaii back middle of the season. At the same time they do need some extra ball handling. We'll talk about that a little bit later. But I almost feel like they got Collins, a player who. It's funny because like, like I want to believe in him and I look at the numbers, I'm like, wow, such a good player. But then I remember under what circumstances he got one of those numbers in Utah the past two seasons. So I don't know what to believe. He was playing only 40 games last year. Was he hurt? Was he not hurt? It's just impossible to tell. But Rob, I think like what he is, the fact that he is like a bigger power forward which they don't have in their stable, versatile combination of guys. I just feel like he's exactly what they need in that front court either to play with Zoo, to play like a small ball center. He seems like he fits what they need right now with the Clippers than what they need out of Norm.

[Rob Mahoney]

Yeah, I would agree with that. And he's been like a long rumored Clippers target for this reason or that. Just like, you know, if you want a more I guess traditional four relative to the wings that they've been playing at that position, he's a decent option. He's been perpetually available but often for reasons. And I think this was kind of a heartening season in terms of his play with the Jazz. Like I thought it was some of his better pick and roll play. The shooting has obviously come on in Utah in a pretty big way. That's going to have to be a prominent part of what he brings to the Clippers. Like in Trading Norm, you're just trading one of your few high volume three point shooters on a team that doesn't have that much shooting on it. So no, like Collins is going to have to take threes. Brook Lopez will obviously take threes. Amir Coffee, who's number third or number three in terms of total threes taken last season for the Clippers, is a free agent who's kind of in the wind right now. We'll see if he comes back not or that shooting is going to have to come from somewhere. So Collins is going to have to be a stretch option. He's going to have to be a roll option. I don't love that there's not an easy pathway for him to play minutes of the five. I would love for that to be like a part time element of what he's bringing to the table. But between Zoo and Lopez, like, I just don't see how that's going to happen.

[Woz]

What I do like is the Clippers kind of doubling down on their defensive identity that they established last year. So, you know, as much as Jones Jr. Did a yeoman's job playing the four all of last year, that's not a position he's naturally suited to. So getting a more natural fit there who, you know, keeps that defensive standard where it was at last year and even can improve upon it when you consider this guy's rim protection ability and you know, he's still a mobile guy, athletic guy. I like that part of it. Now again, certain times the offense just didn't look good at times. And like you're giving away, you know, one of your key pieces on that end. But I do like the idea that they're like, no, we're going to be even better on defense next year. You know, just the old school curmudgeon in me loves that as a concept.

[Justin Barrier]

Yeah. I just love that the Clippers don't necessarily have to bind themselves and lock them into like one set lineup to play. It really seems to be more dependent on who the matchup is, who's playing well, whether or not Chris Dunn is going to hit shots or not. And so like there's just so much malleability and part of it is the fact that Zoo is just so enormous.

[Rob Mahoney]

Yeah.

[Justin Barrier]

Then you have Brooke Lopez in the back of him now, who's also pretty gigantic himself, that like soaks up so much of the like, impetus in order to fill out the rest of the roster with size. And then Harden himself is basically a power forward playing at point guard. And so like you could Do a lot of different things at the wing positions. Quiet. Basically a one through four guy at this point. And so like do you want to play them in bigger lineups at the 4? You can. Or you could just like not play Lopez in a single game and just play Collins as a small ball five. There's just so much malleability is the buzzword we like to say. Optionality if I dare. Jesus Christ, I know it. There's just a lot there. And with a team with Kawhi and James Harden, I think to trudge through a regular season, what you need are options.

[Rob Mahoney]

Yes. And they've built those, I think gradually over time, especially over the course of last season. Like establishing Derrick Jones Jr. In the way was described was so important. Bringing Chris Dunn along as an all defense level contributor was a huge part of like the driving success of his minutes last season. But also trading for Bogey and now trading for John Collins and bringing back Nick Batum, like these are all things that do make Norm feel a little bit more expendable. You know, you, you always are going to need scoring from somewhere, but I think there are enough plausible options for where that scoring could come from now that you can get away with. Okay, we're going to have our big fives, we're going to have James running the point more or less full time. Everything else is flexible in between those kind of tent poles of what we're doing, including, is Kawhi healthy this month or not? Is he available now or not? We're going to find out kind of how, how steady and influence he's going to be for the Clippers. Historically the answer is not very, but now they have all of this other stuff to work with, including another flex scorer in John Collins, a guy who can pop off for 18 to 20 points and kind of give you some support in that way.

[Justin Barrier]

Well, what they don't have, probably the one thing they don't have right now is kind of a backup guard in order to soak up some of those Norm Powell minutes. They are very much in the Bradley Beal derby, if we're going to call it that, because apparently these sons are thinking about waving and stretching or buying out and then stretching our friend Brad Beal, who still has $110 million left on his deal. And so I'll say this about Brad Beal. Do I want Brad Beal with a no trade clause making 50 million a year?

[Woz]

No.

[Justin Barrier]

Hell no. But was like Bradley Beal on like a veterans minimum, looking to prove himself off the bench? Not bad.

[Woz]

A chip on his shoulder, new environment, A team that like, you know, he chooses and they choose him mutually. Like that changes the equation for sure. Definitely keeps his lady off of the Internet, you know, crying about all star appearances, you know what I mean? Like, I love that. I love it. I love, I love the idea of bringing in Bradley Beal off of a buyout. That's great. Like, it's not like he's, you know, physically so deteriorated that he can't compete or that he doesn't have skills. Like he can't make, you know, some wide open shots, give you some secondary ball handling, you know, like some level of getting to the basket. Like this guy's a, he's a good basketball player. He's just vastly overpaid and insanely empowered by a no trades which is like, hey man, your agent dope enough to negotiate that for you? God bless you. But my God, like you think about his, where he stands in the pecking order of NBA stardom. For him to be that paid and like influential is crazy.

[Rob Mahoney]

I mean, in basketball terms, whatever you liked about Norm Powell as a clipper, Brad Beal can do most of those things. Whatever you like about Bogdan Bogdanovich as a clipper, he can certainly do those things. I just, I guess I worry about the human concern of what you're proposing there, Justin. Of like if you are Brad Beal and you do get to call your shot, are you going to call your shot to come off the bench for the Clippers? Like is that the thing you want to do? And this is where I would say there's an offsetting human thing. Which was one of the reasons I think Brad Beal reportedly has been reluctant to leave the Suns is his family is pretty well established in Phoenix at this point and you may not want to uproot the kids, take them out of school. That, that commute from Phoenix to LA is a little easier than it might be from other places. And we've, we've seen other pros kind of make it where their family is in one place, they are in the other and they kind of make it work. That that's like a non trivial part of this. I think for Bradley Beal, Bradley Beals.

[Justin Barrier]

Like allegiance to where his kids go to school is one of those things where it's like am I so sports pill? I, I think that this is ridiculous. Or is this actually how like a normal human should be making his decisions?

[Woz]

It's look for a kid to be having to move school to school. Like for the kid the rest of the family, like, miss me, the nanny, your wife, all of that, y' all gotta deal with the fact that this guy makes 50 something million a year, sport. And if y' all gotta move to one posh neighborhood to the next, like, get over it. But like, a kid while he's learning and all of that. But then again, that's what tutors are for. Get over it. You get a tuna, you get extra.

[Justin Barrier]

They were just in D.C. like, two years ago. I can understand if you were embedded in a certain community, like, there's a certain, like, logic to that. But they literally just moved to Phoenix. Like, how hard is it to do this?

[Woz]

Again, this is money. Your kid is smart.

[Rob Mahoney]

Yeah.

[Woz]

You get going to make friends on him, he gonna be straight. He gonna make it work. He gonna make new friends with them other rich kids, Fight them over the pool. Yeah, fine.

[Justin Barrier]

Yeah.

[Rob Mahoney]

This is not a matter of, like, them not being able to find the good schools in L. A. This is, you know, like, you either are the kind of family who is willing to uproot your kids or not. And this has been the latest episode of three fatherless men debating the merits of parenthood. You know, I'm just saying, look, regardless of what you may think of Brad Beals priorities, these are reportedly among his priorities.

[Justin Barrier]

I see. Well, if there was another team on the board, do you see, like, an obvious fit for him? Because I don't see where he's going to, like, walk into a starting lineup tomorrow on a team that's willing to compete on a market that's attractive enough for a kid that's attracted.

[Woz]

I was about to say, why can't he start over? Casey Wallace.

[Justin Barrier]

Yeah. Well, I mean, he can't play. Defense would be one.

[Woz]

You might not need to play as much defense on that team.

[Justin Barrier]

Yeah, I don't see an obvious fit, though, for his particular brand of. Of, like, okayness. Like, pretty good. I'm. I'm like, a good scorer, but not, like, if you put me on a really good team, like, I probably should be coming off the bench.

[Rob Mahoney]

Yeah. I think realistically, a bench rule would be very good for him. I think he is going to be chasing something a little more than that, though. And that's where, like, Miami kind of coming off the board, like, that could have been an option for him, potentially. Milwaukee, a team that he has already reportedly kind of spurned before via trade.

[Woz]

No one definitely needs him.

[Rob Mahoney]

They do. Maybe that's what he needs, is not necessarily venture starter. It's do I feel needed enough in A way that I clearly was not in Phoenix.

[Woz]

That's the thing, too, is like, selling your lady on. Yeah, we're going to, like, move to L. A and, like, live in this sick neighborhood and, like, do all of these crazy rich people, dope rich people, things, like, all the time. And it's like, no, we're going to do that in Milwaukee. Is like.

[Rob Mahoney]

But as you said, she's out here online advocating for her guy to make All Star teams. Maybe she does just want what's best for him. You know, maybe she. Maybe she wants that opportunity for him.

[Justin Barrier]

Should we talk about the Jazz side of this?

[Rob Mahoney]

Sure.

[Justin Barrier]

Which gets more and more depressing. The more moves that they make this offseason. I think they'll show up a little bit later in one of our worst moves, but they basically just got rid of John Collins, and we'll see what comes of it. They got a juicy 20, 27 second round pick out of it, so maybe they find the next Haywood Highsmith that route. It seems like they're just open up possibility both in terms of cap space and this clearing the road for some of their young guys. And so I get it on one instance, if Austin Ainge just wants to get rid of some of the veterans that have been looming about and maybe like, suppressing the playing time for all these young guys that are slowly building up. There's a certain logic to that. At the same time, it seems like a pretty easy way to tank without actually saying that you're tanking by turning the keys over to all these young players.

[Rob Mahoney]

Well, they're clearly still in that market. Yeah, look, I think by taking Ace Bailey, they're trying to see what's going on there, see if he can be kind of the dynamic creator on the wing that they would love for him to be long term. If that works out very quickly, awesome. He's 18 years old. It's probably not going to turn out that quickly in terms of producing and creating and scoring at a playoff level. So for where the Jazz are, I'm not so convinced that, like, Kyle Anderson is worse for this team than John Collins is as far as, like, plugging minutes and having a respectable forward. And frankly, given how young their backcourt is in particular, having a little more playmaking in terms of an adult in the room on the wing is probably a healthy thing for them, but this isn't a team that's competing for anything anytime soon.

[Woz]

Yeah. And also, it's hard for me to knock this when you know what they were doing for the Previous two years seem to be some level of. No, we're rebuilding, but, like, oh, we want all of these assets for these players, like, whether it was Jordan Clarkson or any of the rest of the guys that they just held on to, you know, forever. So it's, like, hard for me to be mad when they're finally, like, dumping these guys. Yeah, there was, you know, two. Two years ago, I'm like, man, I would have liked to see Jordan Clarkson on a real playoff team, you know? Whereas this year is just, like, there. It's just a fire sale of all of these guys in the back court, front court, you know, the Wink. Like what? You name it, they're just letting these guys go.

[Justin Barrier]

Yeah. I assume Kyle Anderson just breaking the John Collins contract into smaller deals just allows you to just trade them a little bit more easily, because as we're seeing, like, actually making above, like, $15 million is apparently the worst possible thing in the world in the NBA at this point. Kevin Love will see if he wants to stick around for one more year and just be a good vet. Sounds like, based on his recent tweets, doesn't seem like that's part of it. He also has a. A wife with very specific, like, work needs and market preferences.

[Rob Mahoney]

You want to tell us about those? I don't. I don't know.

[Justin Barrier]

She seems to be a supermodel, so I don't know. I don't know if she could apply that trade in Utah.

[Rob Mahoney]

I don't know. Look, there's a lot of reality TV going on in Salt Lake right now. Like, maybe you can backdoor your way into an appearance.

[Justin Barrier]

Rob, I'm so glad you mentioned this. Are you referring to the new Bravo TV show King's Court?

[Rob Mahoney]

I actually am not. I was referring to what I imagine is the Salt Lake based sex lives of Mormon wives.

[Justin Barrier]

That's right. I forgot about that.

[Rob Mahoney]

Well, swingers. Yeah. You know what? Maybe it's not in Salt Lake. Maybe that's me assuming too much.

[Justin Barrier]

You set me up perfectly, though, because in the midst of all this happening, Andy Larson, who covers the team for the Salt Lake Tribune, tweeted out that Carlos Boozer, who's a jazz out, which I just learned today, is going to be part of a Bravo dating show called King's Court, in which he, Tyson Beckford, and WWE's Titus O' Neal Will. Will seek to find love among 21 single women.

[Woz]

So, locked in. Sign me up.

[Justin Barrier]

Who is the.

[Rob Mahoney]

Who's the king? Who's the titular king in this scenario?

[Woz]

I don't I think all three of them are kings.

[Rob Mahoney]

So it's kings.

[Justin Barrier]

That's the case.

[Rob Mahoney]

Like plural, apostrophe, court.

[Justin Barrier]

No, there's no apostrophe. It's just king.

[Rob Mahoney]

Okay, we're gonna have to work with the copy editors on King's Court. I don't know what's going on over there.

[Justin Barrier]

Yeah, I think it is like, they are kings and they're trying to find love. Okay.

[Woz]

Tyson Beckford being on that show is wild. That is something.

[Justin Barrier]

There's this quote in the press release, and I promise I'll move on after this. This is from Boozer. I've met so many women who will, like, recite my stats. Like, you averaged 21 points a game last year, but I want somebody who wants to get to know me.

[Woz]

Yo, chill out. He's tired of groupies, y'. All.

[Justin Barrier]

He's looking for real love.

[Rob Mahoney]

I don't know. I think it's kind of beautiful when people express interest in your interests, you know, when they're willing to do the. Do the real work. I think there's something nice about that.

[Justin Barrier]

Having said that, I don't want to date anybody who knows a single thing about the Utah Jazz's cap sheet.

[Rob Mahoney]

No, what about your stats, though?

[Justin Barrier]

They don't want to know those either.

[Rob Mahoney]

What if you were to go on a date and they're like, I saw. I saw your ranking. You know, I was pulling up the Apple podcast rankings. I saw that the Ringer NBA show was climbing the charts.

[Woz]

That would be so much.

[Justin Barrier]

But I have to be honest, when people start Googling me, they do find out facts about what I. What I do for work. And it gets pretty interesting from there. Let's just say, like, the psychopaths out there who've been saying, it's been clocked by some of. Some of the daters. So you got my mom. We got my mom on the. On last pod, and then all the. All the creations on YouTube jumped right on that one, which I guess was endearing to a certain extent, but also worrisome and in many other respects. But then, yeah, I had a couple dates be like, oh, so, like, this is what people think about you. I'm like. And I have to. I just have to explain the whole thing.

[Woz]

Yeah, you have to explain the context of online life.

[Rob Mahoney]

Yes.

[Woz]

NBA coverage. It's not the most hinged place.

[Justin Barrier]

So on the Internet, in addition to.

[Rob Mahoney]

Being nice to your mom in the comments, we also need to solicit some, like, online testimonials of Justin Barrier, you know, like, the, you know, like how.

[Woz]

Reading your comments, reading the comments on a YouTube or Reddit as a prospective barrier dater.

[Justin Barrier]

That's.

[Rob Mahoney]

It's a lot.

[Woz]

A lot.

[Justin Barrier]

Maybe it works for me. Maybe I'm the bad boy of the.

[Rob Mahoney]

Internet, you know, I do like that for you.

[Justin Barrier]

Just like spicy takes about the Clippers off season, this guy's about. All right, well, speaking of spicy takes about the off season, why don't we get into some of like an overview of what's happened thus far because after today's pod, I think we'll be on more of a summer schedule. You won't hear hearing for us as a trio for a little bit. I think we're going to be popping in here and there, but we'll see from here.

[Rob Mahoney]

This episode is brought to you by LifeLock. Between two factor authentication, strong passwords and a VPN, you try to be in control of how your info is protected. But many other places also have it and they might not be as careful. That's why LifeLock monitors hundreds of millions of data points a second for threats. If your identity is stolen, they'll fix it, guaranteed or your money back. Save up to 40% your first year. Visit lifelock.com podcast for 40% off. Terms apply.

[Justin Barrier]

Let's go through some of the best and worst moves of this offseason. Because I'm such a positive guy, despite what they might say about me online, let's, let's talk about the best move of the off season thus far. Rob, do you want to go first?

[Rob Mahoney]

I think it's the Rockets turning Jalen Green, Dylan Brooks and the number 10 pick into Kevin Durant. Like whatever reservations you may have about Katie, that's a guy they've been trying to trade for years. A 3 and D wing and a pick that they didn't have room to draft and play anyway. So seems like a huge win for the Rockets under the circumstances. We've talked about all the ways that KD fits exactly what they needed from a shot creation standpoint. I'm, I'm hard pressed to think that's not just the best move of the off season so far.

[Woz]

Yeah, I wouldn't disagree. I think KD in terms of a basketball fit is a complete no brainer and that he comes in at least to start with. Buy in on Ime Udoka as a coach and it's just like, yo, I'm coming in here and I'm taking this seriously and the reporting is that like the eman KD connection is real. I was actually Talking to a couple people yesterday about Aaron Rodgers going to the Steelers, and the first thing he did was he did, like, a team meeting, went up in front of all of the guys and was like, don't judge me by what you heard about last season. Blah, blah, blah. Called the New York Jets a joke of an organization. I was disgusted by that. But, like, it's sort of like you hear all of these, for lack of a better term, head Casey kind of things about a guy, and then he comes into a new situation, having traveled, being well traveled at this point, and being like, no, man, I'm taking this seriously. I believe in the structure and the management and the hierarchy of this organization, and I'm gonna come in here and be a good soldier. So, yeah, it's just a great move for Houston.

[Justin Barrier]

What I also say to my potential dates, don't judge me situation, Be a great soldier.

[Woz]

Sacrifice yourself, man.

[Justin Barrier]

That's right.

[Rob Mahoney]

Genuine question, Justin. How do the dates feel about the Garden? Like, is that a point of interest? Is that some, like, are they engaged on that subject? How are they feeling about it?

[Justin Barrier]

If anything, I'm broadcasting it. I think I have on one of my bios.

[Rob Mahoney]

Gardeners, if this goes well, I'm gonna eat one ear of corn and you're gonna eat the other.

[Justin Barrier]

Well, no, we'll eat the same year and just from different size.

[Rob Mahoney]

Lady in the Tramp style. Okay. There's levels to this stuff. You're just way ahead of me.

[Justin Barrier]

I think you guys would be surprised that there's a lot of other fellow gardeners up here. Like, maybe if I was in la, like, it would be a little bit more like, what's this guy? He's quirky and different. Like, here, it's just like, you go to the store. Sure.

[Woz]

And outdoorsy is like the brand of Portland, I feel like.

[Rob Mahoney]

Oh, yeah?

[Justin Barrier]

Yes. If anything, the fact that I don't spend every waking hour on, like, a gorge or something like that, it makes me the outlier here.

[Rob Mahoney]

Get your gorgeous up. Come on.

[Justin Barrier]

So I also had a Rockets move, but I had the Fred Van Vliet move, which was declining. Is the team option for him for 45 million, then signing him for two years, 50 million, if only because it set up the rest of the moves that they made. It just like the. The Rockets really laid out the blueprint of, like, getting this starter pack of veterans and then leveling up in such a seamless way without losing virtually any of their young guys. We could talk about Cam Whitmore a little bit later, but, like, they still have their young core. They have Kevin Durant, they have Fred Van Vliet on a deal that's half as much as he was expected to being paid and was being paid in the previous two seasons and just the Runway to do a bunch more. And so just like the seamless transition I thought was pretty impressive. And I mean, God, they might be the second to third best team in the west next year, but they also could be potentially even better than that.

[Rob Mahoney]

Yeah, I think using their cap space in the way they did to sign Fred Van Vliet, to sign Dylan Brooks, to sign Jock Landa, who hasn't worked out as well as the other two, but you should at least note him in this category as well. It's like you have to get above the salary floor if you're one of these teams that has incredibly low rookie scale contracts. And so they spent however much they needed to spend, they invested in these guys that would be tradable or in Fred's case, resignable. With that team option and the flexibility that it provides, like, you can do it the way that, you know, teams like the Nets are loaning out their cap space right now. Teams like the Jazz, I'm sure going forward, will loan out some of their cap space going forward as their books clean up. But you can also do it this way where you can sign guys who are going to be useful to other teams, take the step forward that you need as your young players get up to speed, and then once it's time to transition and kind of, you know, pass the baton or take over the reins, like all of those mechanisms are kind of there as long as those players are young enough to still be tradable in the way they like. Brooks is useful to a team like the Suns.

[Woz]

And I gotta give it up to Raphael Stone, because temperamentally, like in terms of vibes, Van Vleet, Dylan Brooks, Stephen Adams, these are like Eme Adoka kind of guys in terms of their approach to the game. So I thought that was a big boon too, because what is culture in sports, right? It's basically like, like a group of accepted behaviors. And they established pretty quickly that not giving a shit on defense and playing hard as hell will not be acceptable on the Houston Rockets. And I think bringing in those veteran guys, man, helped cement that along with the coach whose ethos is all about that. So having a vision and actually being diligent and intentional, Justin, to use another Internet word, being intentional with the veterans that they brought in, I thought was incredible too.

[Rob Mahoney]

Is intentional an Internet Word.

[Woz]

Oh, God. It's all over my.

[Rob Mahoney]

What's going on? What's going on with intention on the Internet right now?

[Woz]

Just, just. If you have any bougie blacks on your Instagram, that word is going to come up all day, every single day. Ok. Yep.

[Rob Mahoney]

Rob, I got to diversify, diversify my following. Apparently it's not bougie enough white collar.

[Woz]

Blacks on your timeline. It's going to come up, up daily, hourly.

[Justin Barrier]

It seems like from the same parlance of like being present.

[Woz]

Yeah. You know, it's all.

[Justin Barrier]

You just want to be intentional with what you do. Yes. Honorable mentions. I have the Desmond Bane trade. This is kind of from the obvious pile.

[Woz]

That was my move.

[Rob Mahoney]

Yeah.

[Justin Barrier]

Okay.

[Woz]

And the reason why I know people quibbled with the price of bringing Bane in, the reason why I like it is because it's a young team where management is like, we could quote, unquote, bide our time and be patient and wait for the perfect move. It's like, nah, man. Jayson Tatum just went down. You know, Halliburton just went down. There's an opening for us in this conference where we can crash the party ahead of schedule. Why don't we go out and make ourselves, you know, more big time than we were and basically tell our young guys, like, bro, we throwing y' all in the deep end, man. Y' all don't get to wear the little, you know, the floaties around your arm, around your freaking bicep that the little kids wear. No, you're done. You gotta actually sink or swim. And with this move, they've announced that intent. And so I just love that for the Magic because it so obviously addresses a need and it's just a statement of, like, declaration. We're here to compete at the highest echelons of the Eastern Conference. So for me, I love that move.

[Rob Mahoney]

Especially when, like, that waiting game, too, is offset by the fact that there is a very real ticking clock that is happening with all of these really good, really talented young players. And some of that is contractual. Like, they're going to hit their second deal. You're going to have to pay them. It gets harder to add better and better players as they do. But also, like, you just watch Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner over the course of that series against the Celtics, and you tell me that by Games 4 and 5, they are not immensely frustrated with the reality of their circumstances and the lack of spacing and, like, those are guys who are ready to take a step forward in a lot of different ways. And that's not to say that they're not, you know, limited in others or flawed in others or don't have weaknesses they need to rectify. Like, they're exciting young players who just need a little bit more space to work and a little bit more balance to that offense. And to go out and get that for them as much as anybody, I think, is a really meaningful thing.

[Justin Barrier]

So I have a couple other deals, but they kind of fall in the under the radar category, so I'll. I'll save them till then. Anybody else on here?

[Rob Mahoney]

I think the Hawks swooping in to get Nikhil Alexander Walker exceeds the under the radar categorization because to me, it's like it's another one of these announcement moves, and it's one that even though it is a depth move, perhaps it kind of transforms the base of the Hawks a little bit. It turns them into a team that, weirdly enough, like, the vision of the Hawks is clarified by opening up the possibilities, by making them malleable in the way we were talking about with the Clippers, by giving them so many different options to work with on the wing and all this defense and all this ball handling, like, all of a sudden we know who Atlanta is. Like, we know what that team is trying to be and probably how they're going to play. And I think a lot of that comes with just being able to pull off a move like this kind of out of nowhere.

[Justin Barrier]

Worst move on the board. Now, do we need to put Dame's buyout and stretch in its own separate category?

[Woz]

Ah, man, it's so bad. I just wanted to be slightly trolley and pick the Pelicans because I did defend the draft move.

[Rob Mahoney]

Don't you dare. Don't you dare.

[Woz]

In a vacuum, I still don't think the draft move is, like, the worst thing that's ever happened. No, just subsequently, all of the reporting afterwards about how the new front office is carrying on their business, it puts a different. It casts a different light on that move. Like, yes. Like, oh, you don't give away a pick. I'm protected. Blah, blah, blah. Your team's not even that good. We know all of that stuff. But everything that's come behind it where it's just like, like, you know, the team just reached out to them and said, could we have an extra pick? And they were like, sure, take next year's, like, conversation done.

[Rob Mahoney]

Yeah.

[Woz]

And just some of the other conversations, I don't know, like, you know, you wonder who's actually leaking this stuff out of New Orleans at this point. I guess it's got to be holdover staff. We're just like, yo, this is starting off pretty rocky. Um, it's the general mood, you know, coming out of the Pelicans that makes that move look different to me. Because when you bring in a brand new front office, you guys notice. It's. It's months of just rosy outlook and, oh, yeah, you know, new beginnings and all.

[Rob Mahoney]

You've got a lot of borrowed time usually. Yeah.

[Woz]

This has been the opposite of that. It's like the next day just started falling apart. It's, It's. It's really scary. And if I'm a Pelicans fan, man, that ownership group, they've become some of the most toxic and horrible in the league. They're right up there with Vivek, with Ishpia, with some of the worst guys in the league. And so that would be, you know, heartburn inducing if I'm a Pelicans fan.

[Justin Barrier]

Taking shots at ringer podcasters. That was the last draw.

[Woz]

That was crazy. I forgot about that.

[Justin Barrier]

Yeah. Yeah. I think the Pelicans also in their own special category. Speaking of the Jazz, I have the Colin Sexton trade.

[Rob Mahoney]

Yeah.

[Justin Barrier]

Which I'm still trying to figure out. He must just have been, like, causing a commotion in the locker room or they just wanted to get off of him. So sadly, it's just too late.

[Woz]

It's the. What you would call it, it's the Maasai thing. It's like they were trying to extract so much out of guys. Again, love Colin Sexton. Love John Collins. Love Jordan Clarkson. Bro, why were y' all trying to get an arm and a leg and deals for these guys in previous years? And I think it's gotten to the point where it's like, all right, we're done playing this game where the only trade we can make is the perfect one. That's the only explanation for this. It's like, all right, man, it's like little game of chicken that we were playing with the rest of the league in terms of, you know, our useful veteran type of players, like known commodity type of players. All right, we can give up on this and just, like, lean into our destiny as a team that's so clearly rebuilding and has a focus and emphasis on younger talent.

[Justin Barrier]

Yeah. So they gave up a second round pick in that deal. That's the Sexton. And then took back Nurk, who makes, like, slightly more and was unplayable as recently as, like, a couple of weeks ago.

[Rob Mahoney]

Yeah. And speaking of browsing, whatever noise, Colin Sexton was Mason making? I can assure you it will be less than Nerf.

[Justin Barrier]

Yeah, it's true. So I just don't get that they had to buy out Clarkson. So I think was is right, Rob. I think the bottom just fell out on a lot of these vets that they were clutching onto, and they were just like, let's just clean the decks.

[Rob Mahoney]

Yeah, Look, I understand that, like, not just going with the sunk cost of. We've held onto these guys for so long, we have to continue to do it to chase this particular trade or turn. Maybe you do just need to cut bait. It's just a bummer to see them have to give up a second to get rid of Colin Sexton, who is a good NBA player who is useful to teams, and I am sure could have returned at least a second for them if they had just been willing to give him up earlier and not waited this long. So it's. It's a weird process that, to me, is very different than the John Collins scenario. Like, if you want to cut bait on John Collins and get something back, I can understand that. If you want to pay to give up Colin Sexton, you kind of lost me a little bit, honestly. Like, is this outcome better for the Jazz than just outright buying out Colin Sexton? Good question. For the right of having Yusuf Nurkic on your team to potentially deal a salary later. Like, I. I just don't see it.

[Woz]

And there's another golden rule that I think we ultimately forget. This might be an agent thing. Could be where some agent is owed a favor for some reason. Whenever deal just makes absolutely zero sense whatsoever. Reggie Jackson on the Nuggets comes to mind. Like, it's usually some, like, relationship with the agent, because this is, like, stupid.

[Justin Barrier]

Yeah. And to that point, the. The Hornets actually also brought back Trey man, and brought in Spencer Dinwiddie. And so the backcourt is super crowded all of a sudden, but they're still like, sure, Colin Sexton for free. And he's already showing up at, like, the signing day for some of the rookies. So I don't know. I'm sure we'll have, like, a totally.

[Woz]

Building in Charlotte over there.

[Rob Mahoney]

Well, it's clearly.

[Justin Barrier]

Everyone's just hanging out.

[Rob Mahoney]

They're also.

[Woz]

I saw a meme of Lamello Ball welcoming the rookie.

[Justin Barrier]

Shoot.

[Woz]

I'm blanking on the white.

[Justin Barrier]

Oh, nipple.

[Woz]

Sorry.

[Rob Mahoney]

Wrong white boy.

[Woz]

Wrong.

[Justin Barrier]

Wrong K. It was almost connect. Yeah.

[Woz]

And the meme was like. Like, mellow ball. Being your vet is crazy.

[Rob Mahoney]

It is a little crazy.

[Justin Barrier]

I saw something where someone's like, oh, LaMelo Ball plays like he's has AirPods in like he plays like he's listening to. And I was like, that explained LaMelo Ball in a way that I struggled for years.

[Woz]

Perfect. Yeah.

[Rob Mahoney]

Of. Of all my pickup basketball pet peeves. The guy with AirPods in just my least favorite person on the planet.

[Woz]

That's a thing that people are doing in 2025.

[Rob Mahoney]

It's a thing that people do. Yeah.

[Justin Barrier]

Jesus.

[Woz]

So, need to hear your teammates?

[Rob Mahoney]

Apparently not. Well, let me tell you, if you, if you've got the AirPods in, you're jacking whatever shot you want anyway. Like, communication is not exactly like your your top priority in that situation.

[Justin Barrier]

Any other worst moves, Rob?

[Rob Mahoney]

I do think it's telling that we're picking mostly traits like the free agent signings. There hasn't been anything like super egregious, maybe like a slight overpay here or there. I also wanted to call out the Bulls trading Lonzo Ball for Isaac Okoro as one of the worst deals of this summer. Like, my least favorite kind of trade in the way that you're dealing a player away who has real demonstrated effect on the way your team plays. Like, Lonzo changes the way that the Bulls play when he's healthy enough to play and you're getting back a guy who does not do anything for your team at all. And I say that as someone like, I think Isaac Okoro is mostly fine, but what is. What problem is he solving for the Bulls, a team that already has some, like, random hustle wings, if that's the market you're trying to fill.

[Woz]

Like, already employs Patrick Williams.

[Rob Mahoney]

Well, I'm not sure if Patrick Williams does anything and Isaac Poirot does something.

[Woz]

That's the. That's the. I'm like, bro, y' all have Patrick Williams as wing guy, vaguely supposed to be good at defense. Allegedly.

[Rob Mahoney]

Yeah.

[Woz]

Is hired to make open jump shots. And you traded for Ike Koro, too. That's amazing.

[Rob Mahoney]

Again, to fill what role? Like, I do. Sumo does a lot of the same stuff about as well as well, like you're investing in Julian Phillips and trying to figure out if he can be a player. Like, I'm more interested in can Julian Phillips be a rotation player than I'm going to take on Isaac Okoro where he is in his career at his current salary level. Like, I just really don't get what the Bulls are after there, other than they're freaked out by the injury concerns that come with Lonzo, which is a real thing. But if the solution is I'm going to fill it with a bunch of like, league average or slightly below league average minutes from Ikokoro. Like, I just don't get the payoff.

[Justin Barrier]

That's the only, like, devil's advocate I would mention is maybe they know something about Lonzo that we don't. I mean, wasn't his knee just like reconstructed with like, that must be said?

[Rob Mahoney]

Yeah, but maybe they built him back bigger and stronger than ever before.

[Justin Barrier]

Yeah, I guess, like the Cavs need more of the high end, like, even if you play half a season than the Bulls, who just need consistent minutes. But yeah, Isaac Coral is not who I would want to target in that circumstance. And once again, they just did a player for player swap, which I get it if it's Josh Giddy. I don't get it if it's Isaac Coral.

[Rob Mahoney]

Do you still get it if it's Josh Giddy?

[Justin Barrier]

Josh, he was good last year. What are we talking about?

[Rob Mahoney]

He's fine.

[Justin Barrier]

He played above average considering the circumstances.

[Rob Mahoney]

He improved and yet is still fundamentally the same player he was and with all the same fundamental concerns. But, you know, we'll, we'll, I'm sure we'll get back to the Bulls at some point when we do our preseason power rankings and they're somewhere in like the bottom half of the league.

[Justin Barrier]

I have a couple honorable mentions here. I have the Duncan Robinson sign in trade with Detroit, if only because, like, it seemed like the Pistons were searching after the Beasley Intruder situations kind of bottomed out there and they just needed a movement shooter. And so they're like, they reached for Robinson, who is bigger and can move and shoot, but obviously presents a lot of concerns there. Also Clint Capella. I still am trying to wrap my head around that, despite all the good things that the Rockets did, just signing him for three years to be your third string center, I guess you want to play Steven Adams with Shen Goon in the front court a little bit more often because they played so well together, especially in the playoffs. But is Capella going to play? I don't, I don't get that one as well. Yeah. And then the last one is, is Dennis Schroeder for 45 million, which apparently still isn't done because they're trying to rope it into a sign and trade.

[Rob Mahoney]

Well, we should say Clint Capella was roped into the Kevin Durant deal, which became one of the biggest trades in NBA history. A seven team trade that as far as I can see happened for not a lot of reason at all other than to make like I'm not sure that a lot of that was really that necessary other than the clinkapel part actually was kind of necessary. Like there wasn't really another mechanism for the Rockets to get him at that number. Which adds to the mystique and the intrigue of what you're talking about. Justin. Like what is it that the Rockets want in Quint Capella, Clint Capella as their third string center at that salary number that's so important to them when you know you could. You could add any kind of player to that roster and they could make sense. That's a roster that's flexible enough to incorporate all kinds of potential free agent talent. What is it about Clint Capella which. Which makes my ears perk up and I'm wondering like, does that mean Alperin Shangun is not as nailed down to the Houston Rockets as we might think given the fact that they're contending and he's a key part of that team. Like, are they trying to keep their options open with, you know, Jabari Smith can play the four of the five. Stephen Adams obviously have been very good for them. Like they are. They are flexible and movable and I guess Clint Capella makes them slightly more so just by having that center depth.

[Justin Barrier]

Yeah, I guess. Not bad. Just I'm trying to figure out out where he fits in the grand scheme of things. But they did just add veterans during Finney Smith on top of that just to an already good team. So I guess just take him if you can get them would be the. The overarching theme there. Best under the radar move here. I have a lot of options. Do you want me to power through some.

[Rob Mahoney]

Please. Lightning round.

[Justin Barrier]

Why don't we start with Jay Huff to Indiana?

[Rob Mahoney]

Hell yeah.

[Justin Barrier]

For a second. In a second round swap. I like it.

[Rob Mahoney]

That's one of our guys.

[Justin Barrier]

Why? Why overpay Miles Turner when you can get 80% of J Hope at home?

[Rob Mahoney]

Let's not be disrespectful.

[Justin Barrier]

80%? 70%.

[Rob Mahoney]

No, absolutely not.

[Justin Barrier]

Now, has J. Huff played an entire season where you're like, wow, Jayhoff starting center for a very good team? No.

[Woz]

But in his moments, he looks like somebody who's capable of starters.

[Justin Barrier]

Minutes sure just fits what they're going for there. Like, yes. Like shoots threes can protect the rim. Bouncy athlete on the other end. Yeah, go ahead.

[Woz]

When I saw that on the ESPN ticker, my eyebrow went interesting. I definitely had a physical reaction to seeing that.

[Rob Mahoney]

It does have a nice ring to it.

[Justin Barrier]

The grizzlies turning around and immediately signing Jack Landell, I was like, like, huh. Maybe that's about the caliber we should be expecting. But, you know, if he's only a plug and play guy until they figure out their center for the future, that's a guy that fits the system and is a good player in his own right. So I really like that move.

[Rob Mahoney]

Yeah. Look, Jock Landell has had good seasons as a backup before, so, like, that's what J. Huff is realistically is a backup caliber center. And if you're going to put him into sort of a platoon to hold down the spot until you get the eventual Miles Turner replacement, I think that's a perfectly good use of his skill set. And somebody who I think does the Thomas Bryant things better than Thomas Bryant does. And so, you know you're gonna have like some options there that are more traditional fives. You're going to have some options there that are more just like pure energy rebounding types. Like, let's get somebody with a little bit of stretch who also has some of that physicality. Like, I think Jhov is a good element in that mix, if not an answer in and of himself.

[Justin Barrier]

Yeah. Another one I have down here is the Jonesboro combination. And I like the trade Jones contract, which was three years, 24 million with the team option on it at first. But then I saw that Tyus Jones, his brother, who is better. Yeah, I'll be a little bit older, went for one year, $7 million. And I'm wondering why didn't the Bulls or anybody else just do that? But overall, I like both players and I think they're both helpful rotation guys and they could be on any team at this point. Tyus obviously better and on a team that needs him to organize things in the Magic. But I like both deals.

[Rob Mahoney]

I like. Why didn't the Bulls just do that as a recurring segment for us?

[Woz]

Why the Bulls just do that? Like ask for something in a deal where they're giving up the better player.

[Rob Mahoney]

Hypothetically. Just do that multiple times. Who's to say?

[Justin Barrier]

Fret with the small stuff? You know, they're focused on the big picture.

[Rob Mahoney]

They are a big picture team.

[Justin Barrier]

You're right.

[Rob Mahoney]

Right.

[Woz]

One of my under the radar things was Tim Hardaway Jr. For the vets men. Because I think at times in his career in New York and Dallas, I think he was kind of overstretched in his responsibilities. And, you know, it's easy to get tired of Tim Hardaway Jr. When he's actually being relied upon.

[Rob Mahoney]

Yeah.

[Woz]

Whereas in Denver it's going to be very context specific and I think he is perfectly suited to do the things that they're going to ask him to do. And I really like that move for them because again, like, you know, Tim Hardaway Jr. Is the kind of guy that can make seven threes in a game, but he's also the kind of guy that go 2 for 15. And when he's doing 2, first of all, never take 15 shots on the Denver Nuggets like, like ever, like in, in your capacity there. Although I could see it happening in garbage time with this kind of dude. But on Denver, he's not going to be some like, guy that designing plays or, you know, sometimes he'll get like, oh, I can do stuff off the dribble that kind of like, he's not going to do any of that. It's going to be movement stuff. It's going to be wide open, spot up. It's going to be, you know, every now and again, give it. Getting out on a break even because Denver is a pretty slow team. I just love that he's beautifully suited to what they're going to ask him to do next year.

[Rob Mahoney]

He just kind of makes sense for them as like another roll of the dice as far as rotation guys go. Like, he's, he is maybe slightly more reliable and proven than a Julian Strother would be. And maybe, maybe the dice are kind of loaded in different ways where this guy kind of makes more sense in this matchup and that guy makes sense in that matchup. It's like, I don't think any of Denver's, you know, eight through 15 players are rock solid, but all you need is like one or two of them to be okay on a given night. And Tim Hardaway is going to be in that mix of guys who is a little bit feast or famine as a shooter is a little bit feast or famine as a player. But when he feasts, man, he really fucking feasts.

[Justin Barrier]

That's what I also liked about Denver's off season. Not only did they get just like a crew of old guys in there to finally provide some stability, they also didn't sacrifice the depth of recent draft picks in order to do so. And now I don't know if Julian Schrother is going to turn into this miracle movement shooter that everyone's been projecting for like three years at this point, but they also didn't give up that hope. And it just makes me wonder, like, what took so long? Like, why couldn't you have been doing this for the past two seasons. So they're literally having their cake and eating it too on this roster. And part of that includes strong arming Jonas Valanchunas to be a part of the team despite not wanting to be there.

[Woz]

That's. That's a, that's a 30 for 30. I think the reason more on that, Justin, is like the off the freaking management, the front office was dysfunctional, and if they brought veterans in, the young guys would be automatically glued to the freaking bench. Like that was what was going to happen. And so the freaking convoluted distortion of, you know, Calvin Booth becomes don't have any veterans. And so the young guys get forced into minutes. It's like now that there's some level of synergy, continuity or mutual respect, just like, no, like, these guys are going to get a fair shot. These young guys and these veterans, like, I'm happy to have them as a backstop. Like, like it allows for this. But like, when you're coaching your gm legitimately hate each other legitimately. Can't speak to each. Like, they don't speak to each other. You know, you get the dysfunction that you had in Denver the last two.

[Rob Mahoney]

Years and now perfect harmony. You know, other than strong arming veterans to come play for your team, everything is going according to plan. I do want to say, as we're talking the, the two timelines of the Denver Nuggets, you know, if you're out there trying to unload your Jalen Pickett stock, I'm looking to buy, I'm looking to invest a little bit more. I'm, I'm anticipating a December 1st podcast in which JV comes in with an opening segment. You know, like, Jalen Pickett's got a little something.

[Woz]

He's got a little juice.

[Rob Mahoney]

He's coming off a week where he averaged like 12 points a game. And we're like, we're starting to see the vision. I think. I kind of think this is going to be a Jalen Pickett year.

[Woz]

I mean, the backup point guard role is, is right there for somebody to take it.

[Rob Mahoney]

Some Bruce Brown, some picket guard combo kind of thing.

[Woz]

So I hope he's working on something in the off season.

[Justin Barrier]

By December 1st, I'm hoping to start my DIY podcasting company. So maybe June Wise will be be talking about that, but I'll be giving tips on growing heirloom tomatoes.

[Rob Mahoney]

You know, we all have our, like.

[Justin Barrier]

Yeah. Any other under the radar moves, Rob? Did you give one yet?

[Rob Mahoney]

Oh, I have so many. I think the chain reaction of the Knicks getting Gershon Yabuzeli for the taxpayer mid level. That's a great move. The Sixers backfilling by getting Trend and Watford to play the Yahoo role next season. Also very exciting. So I'm excited by that whole sequence of events. Our guy AJ Mitchell resigned very early with the Thunder for three years. Nine million. That guy is worth more than three years. Nine million. I know he's not ready for second quarter minutes in the NBA Finals just yet, but I would be thrilled about that kind of arrangement if I was a team like the Thunder.

[Justin Barrier]

He played in the Finals and now is playing in summer league.

[Rob Mahoney]

Yeah.

[Justin Barrier]

Has any other player gone from like playing finals minutes to summer league minutes? I've never seen that before.

[Rob Mahoney]

That's a great trivia question. I think we need to get to the bottom of it if it's ever happened before because AJ is a shining example of something, but certainly of a talented prospect that was just re signed.

[Woz]

At a bargain rate second round pick. Somebody dangles 9 million guaranteed in front of you, you got to take it.

[Rob Mahoney]

But like totally for the champs.

[Woz]

Yeah. He won't be seeing another contract till he's 26. It's kind of crazy.

[Rob Mahoney]

That is kind of crazy. Another one of our guys, Cam Whitmore, who the Wizards picked up for two second round picks. Good bit of business for the Wizards in what's been honestly like a pretty good off season for Washington overall. Not the, not the glitziest thing, but a lot of good deals being done.

[Justin Barrier]

If you'll forgive me some asset porn here, but I do think collecting a lot of those stray picks allows a team like the Wizards to win the derby for some of these second draft guys that I think are going to be coming off of good teams more and more these days because you see all these good teams stacking multiple picks. We'll see what the Rockets, who Reed Shepherd, I hope plays, but like if he doesn't, then that's another opportunity like the Thunder, another team that's just shedding the skin of its bench, which is just like three first round picks virtually every other year at this point. I think there are going to be opportunities is ultimately what I'm saying, for draft guys for other teams and the Wizards by just having enough stuff left over to just give them two seconds, which isn't much, but it's something that they just have in the coffers to get Cam Whitmore and try for themselves to like get a guy who's already like shown himself to be an NBA player and just Give them more opportunities. I think that's important. So as you're going through like the, the trade transaction wires like, oh, this got traded for two second round picks 13 years from now, it's like, well, I guess down the road every little thing tends to matter. And I think this is one of the examples of that.

[Rob Mahoney]

And I think you've already kind of see it pay off for Washington a little bit with some of their other moves like jv. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I feel like I have detected some A.J. johnson optimism from you based on his late season Wizards tenure.

[Justin Barrier]

I think he might be 100 pounds soaking wet. And so I'm like just fascinated by him. Sure, he looks like just like a kid at the mall at this point. He's probably like 19. But you're right, he has some juice to him. And after grinding so much Wizards tape over the last few months of the season, I could tell you with some degree of certainty that there's something there. Any other ones? I have a couple more here. Rob got the Yaboo deal, which I gotta say like pretty good. You leveled up and added the trending Watford one on top of that, which I have, I have to give you credit for. Thank you.

[Woz]

Gershon Yabuzeli's replacement.

[Rob Mahoney]

Both good players. I don't know what to tell you. The Knicks got better. The Sixers, considering the guy that they lost and were going to lose, I thought did pretty well.

[Justin Barrier]

Knicks have a bench now, which is kind of scary. We'll see if Jordan Clarkson still has enough in the tank in order to fill up those backup guard minutes.

[Woz]

Better than campaign.

[Justin Barrier]

Exactly. 100% yes. Orlandry Shamuth. So they have like two to three guys coming off that bench now. Or four if it's Robinson. It's Yaboo, it's our guy Deuce. And now Jordan Clarkson. And so like speaking of which, speaking.

[Woz]

Of which, I saw Delon Wright at my guy black Trey's wedding on Saturday. Congrats to my guy Trey on his nuptials. Didn't ask him about his free agency. I thought it would be a sore topics, so stayed out of that one.

[Rob Mahoney]

So you're reporting that you were derelict in your duties?

[Woz]

That's right, that's right, that's right. Just name drop it for the fuck of it.

[Rob Mahoney]

Okay, great.

[Justin Barrier]

And then I had Luke Cornett. Four years, 41 million.

[Rob Mahoney]

Yeah, that's.

[Justin Barrier]

That's all I got.

[Rob Mahoney]

I think the Luke Cornett deal is going to be pretty fun for the Spurs.

[Woz]

Hell yeah.

[Rob Mahoney]

I Think it's going to be a pretty fun time. I'm. I'm. I'm particularly eager to see, you know, him and Wemby play together.

[Woz]

Fun to watch, they are.

[Rob Mahoney]

Absolutely.

[Justin Barrier]

Teach Wemby the cornet contest and see what happens.

[Rob Mahoney]

Can you imagine the power, the sheer possibility? Although, as the spurs go, like Chris Paul, one of the free agents who's just kind of dangling out there and has alluded to the fact recently that this is going to be his last NBA season, I want to see where the last CP dance goes. Like, I want to see what he signs up for. I think it's going to be a team again that's competing for a little bit more than San Antonio is. The Phoenix Whispers have been out there. Clearly, that's a team that needs some ball handling and playmaking.

[Woz]

San Antonio is.

[Rob Mahoney]

Well, that was what I was going to say. I don't know that they're really in the mix for more than the spurs, but maybe it's just a comfortable enough spot that CP would go back there. I don't know.

[Justin Barrier]

Yeah, let's. This is the last question on the docket. Like, what are the big questions still left on the board here? And I do think a lot of it comes down to the olds, which is Chris Paul now in his swan song. I wonder how that mixes with a team that has, like, title aspirations. Is his, like, just getting gifts from every team, Kobe style, going to, like, all of a sudden be a distraction? Al Horford, Russell Westbrook, Bradley Beal, as we mentioned, like, the All Star class of, like, 2009 is still out there looking for work and can help some teams. So it's basically what we're watching right now.

[Woz]

Another thing for me, and this is kind of more big picture, is, like, what is the future of free agency, particularly with all these teams that have draft capital out the door? Because I think, you know, when I looked at it, like, at 2019, in 2019, I remember the hand wringing about the ad move that the Lakers made, and I'm like, well, the Lakers just got AD to force his way to la. Like, clearly they can just make things happen in ways that aren't traditional, right? But if you don't got the picks and nobody becomes a free agent, like, how do you get these guys in the door? Because traditionally it'd be like, look, y' all could keep your little pics or whatever. I go through a year and a half of lean years, open up a bunch of cap space, time it to the guy that the guy or Two that I really love and boom, look at me, I'm back, right? But now if dudes aren't moving into empty cap space and maybe that'll change, you know, it's the NBA.

[Rob Mahoney]

Sure.

[Woz]

Maybe the way that that roster construction is going is going to open up the idea that say a Luca Doncic or somebody's like, you know what, I'm actually going to reach free agency next time and not just hop on an extension as soon as I can, especially the guys at the top tier. I just wonder, you know, if we ever get back to major actual free agency movement in terms of signings are concerned.

[Rob Mahoney]

It feels more important than ever that you draft well, that you draft players that could actually be enticing via trade. And this is where like I'm still with you was that the Pelicans deal was maybe piled on a little too much as far as being like one of the worst deals of all time. I don't think it's that, but I do think it is maybe a uniquely damaging form of self sabotage relative to this market right now. Like you need those kinds of picks to hit and you need to have them for them to hit in the first place. Like if the only way you can get your next franchise player is either by drafting them or trading players you drafted for them, then what are you doing sending picks out the door? Unless you are just sure that Derek Queen is that guy.

[Justin Barrier]

Yeah, I think a lot of the buying out we're seeing this offseason of like totally helpful players just making too much money is an indication that perhaps we're moving past the point where guys are getting their money and then forcing their way to somewhere else or just getting their money and figuring it out later, which was largely driven by the superstars that trickled down to the next wave of guys. And so I almost wonder if this is the recalibration of happening in real time and so we'll see the next permutations of that happening. I do also wonder if that's the case, are teams going to be now loathe to do that and we actually will cycle back into an era where free agency and cap space start to matter because as we've seen with literally everything, everything is just a rejection of what just came before it.

[Rob Mahoney]

Right?

[Justin Barrier]

Everything in culture, everything in life. And I do think the NBA tends to work in that way. And so I almost wonder teams that are setting themselves up with cap space, all of a sudden teams won't pay a certain the advantage teams were supposed to have was the Supermax. And that is just clogging up books to the point where the Celtics can't withstand a contender for more than two years because then they just have to get rid of everybody to get under the second apron. And so I think there will be more player movement down the road maybe two to three years from now, but we just have to get through the adjustment period right now.

[Rob Mahoney]

Yeah. And I think one of the other victims of that adjustment period and one of the other big questions right now as we kind of wrap up the rest of the off season and free agency is what happens with these restricted free agents who are just sitting there on the market without a lot of options, like Jonathan Kaminga, Josh Giddy, Quentin Grimes, all still out there. Cam Thomas, Isaiah Jackson, just kind of like waiting around trying to figure out if they can get something done.

[Woz]

They're going to have to take low ball extension offers.

[Rob Mahoney]

I mean. Well, I think they have a couple of options. One, clearly their agents can work the.

[Woz]

Phone Hard Rock Rob and be like, fuck you, I'll play on a qualifying offer, you guys, I'm out in the next off season.

[Rob Mahoney]

That is the nuclear option that I think is encouraged by this cap environment behavior.

[Woz]

Yeah.

[Rob Mahoney]

Yes. Because there is no, no, not a lot of. Just like space out there for them to get absorbed into. It's either like you take somebody's mid level, which starts at about $14 million. I don't think that's what most of these guys are trying to. Trying to land for their next deals.

[Woz]

That would be nice for you, Quentin Grimes.

[Rob Mahoney]

Not a bad deal for Quentin Grimes potentially, but he also had a really nice situation with the Sixers and I think could fold into a different sort of nice situation with the Sixers if he wants to resign there. It's just like, like, are they being generous enough with their offer? Are the Bulls upping? Well, I, I don't want the Bulls to offer up their offer too, too much, particularly. Or the warriors with Jonathan Kaminga, for example. I guess it's complicated because he's out.

[Woz]

There, what he's been offered.

[Rob Mahoney]

No, I don't think so.

[Woz]

I just haven't been offered.

[Rob Mahoney]

No, I would guess that they've all been offered and they have thought, you know what, I can do better, whether it's in a sign and trade, whether it's in some mysterious cap space that they think is going to open up, it's just, just, there's not a lot of options out there for those guys.

[Justin Barrier]

Restricted free agency has always been a joke. It's there was a time where there was enough cap space floating around that teams were willing to tie up their books for a couple of days and they even got rid of that role. And now it's a little bit easier to offer. It's just like nobody's going to go through the rigmarole of giving a guy an offer just for their team to ultimately match it. I think the one wild card might just be that the Jazz opened up enough cap space to get a little bit interesting with some of these guys. And they do tend to be opportunists with those sorts of thing where it's like, oh, here's this guy who's on a, like a little bit overpaid. We'll just take them in. But at the same time, I would be just as like likely seeing them just like take contracts and just like dump the money and get more picks in there. So I don't think anything's going to happen. And I think these guys are probably going to sign below market deals is ultimately what's how this plays out.

[Rob Mahoney]

I think you're probably right. I think you're also right about restricted free agency in general being a bit of a dud mechanism, at least as far as the players themselves are concerned. That said, I do love a ticking clock. I do love A you have three days to match this offer to DeAndre. You know, this is this what I'm saying. If, if we're going to have all these like fake tension mechanisms going on in all of our forms of entertainment, at least give me this one back in a meaningful way.

[Justin Barrier]

All right, why don't we wrap it there? Thank you to Ben Cruz. Thank you to Kyle Williams. We'll be back at some point in the future down the road. We'll see week, but we will talk to you then. Have a good summer. Enjoy all of those Bronnie James highlight.