The Ringer NBA Show: Trade Deadline Love It or List It | Group Chat

Date: January 12, 2026
Hosts: Justin Verrier (B), Rob Mahoney (A), J. Kyle Mann (C)

Episode Overview

In this lively episode of the Ringer NBA Show's "Group Chat," Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle Mann bring a playful real estate spin ("Love It or List It") to the 2026 NBA trade deadline. The hosts weigh whether teams should “love” (keep and commit to) or “list” (trade and move on from) several big-name, high-variance NBA stars likely to be available or at least discussed this deadline. The thematic focus: Deciding which compromised/frustrating "assets" are worth keeping through their ups and downs, and which are better sold for whatever is available—contracts, prospects, or just a clean slate.

The discussion is rich with NBA strategy, contract talk, front office logic, and honest assessments—fueled by witty banter, memorable hypotheticals, and the hosts' signature blend of humor and candor.

Episode Highlights & Structure

[00:55] – Setting the Table: What Makes a Tradeable Star in 2026?

• Context: Only one major trade so far (Trey Young); Jan 15 brings many new players eligible to be dealt due to off-season signing rules.
• Theme Introduction: Adopts "Love It or List It" as the trade deadline metaphor—do you rehab the current situation or do you start over for whatever you can get?
• Quote:
  • “Do you love the player enough to get through all of their, let’s say, foibles, or…do you list him? Do you finally just say, like, we’ll take anything. We just want to move on?” (B) [05:40]

[07:10] – John Morant: Sell Now or Rehab the Asset?

Why He's Discussed:

• Morant’s contract is hefty, play is declining, and off-court baggage continues; Memphis is “entertaining offers.”
• Market for problematic stars is thin—teams aren’t desperate.

Possible Suitors Debated:

• Milwaukee Bucks: Desperation may override fit, but not a good fit with Giannis. [09:44]
  • “That’s not a great fit. But it is a desperate team...what is the justification for any other team who isn’t sufficiently desperate?” (A) [10:18]
• Miami Heat: Have the culture to reform stars, but “South Beach” lifestyle seen as potential disaster for Morant.
  • “I just don’t think it’s a good lifestyle decision for Ja at this point in his career… Not the star any cautious team should bet on.” (A) [12:34]
• Toronto Raptors: Familiarity with coach Darko; Morant isn’t the organizing force needed.
  • “He’s not the guy who makes your team make sense...he’s not solving for the things [the Raptors] can’t do.” (A) [16:17]
• Minnesota Timberwolves: Fun on paper with Anthony Edwards, but fit is poor, and would destroy locker room stability.
  • “Those guys fit, but in ways…you don’t want them to fit. Like, we’re already worried about Ant going off the rails at any time. I don’t want Ja Morant, of all fucking people, being next to him.” (B) [17:34]

Verdict — List Him...But No Real Offers

• “No team is what we have. We’re going to list him, but there are no offers.” (B) [23:04]

[23:31] – Anthony Davis: Expensive Hope or Albatross?

Present Situation:

• Out with yet another injury; still owed huge money and wants an extension.
• “...the worst type of player you can have. Someone who makes a ton of money who isn’t available at all.” (B) [24:04]

Possible Fits:

• Hawks: Would only consider if they’re confident about his health; otherwise, too risky.
  • “You’re probably looking at…he’s 32 years old. His mobility’s probably going to continue to…kind of ramp down.” (C) [28:48]
• Raptors: Potential centerpiece for playoff push; only makes sense if medicals clear and cost is low.
  • “If your doctors...really believe he could be back in six to seven weeks, then maybe there is a deal to make there…price will never get lower.” (A) [29:44]
• Bulls: Pure “fuck it” scenario. Nothing to lose, but “will it accomplish anything? I remain skeptical.” (A) [32:51]

Fun Debates:

• What exactly do the Bulls value as “untouchable?” (“Is it Josh Giddey?” laughter) [33:32]
• Does Josh Giddey box out better talent fits on the Bulls? [35:05]

Verdict — List Him, But Little Appetite

• “We’re listing Anthony Davis yet again. But do we think anything will actually happen?” (A) [36:47]

[38:30] – LaMelo Ball: Love the Talent, List the ‘Silliness’?

Current Status:

• Talented but wild; coach Charles Lee experimenting with bench role due to maturity/injury/attitude concerns.

Trade Value Tension:

• Rob’s Ride or Die: “On my deathbed someday, I’m going to be whispering: If only they had gotten LaMelo Ball the finisher he needed, everything would have been fine.” (A) [39:38]
• Is He Fun to Play With? Team culture vs. LaMelo’s freewheeling style—will grinding two-way players snap?
  • “Can you have those two warring approaches coexist?” (B) [45:34]

Suitor Discussion:

• Miami Heat: The most logical “rehab” option—can Spolstra reach LaMelo’s potential like he reformed other complex talents?
  • “...the talent—nobody denies the talent with Ball. Right. It’s just the injuries, and it’s also the silliness.” (B) [48:59]
• Tyler Herro for Ball? — not seen as equivalent; “defensive saloon door.” (C) [44:42]

The Hornets' Dilemma:

• Is their offense ever “humming” without LaMelo?
  • “There’s just been one thing that’s consistently true with the Hornets…when LaMelo is jacking shots you don’t want him to take…their offense, the best version of it, has LaMelo Ball on the floor.” (A) [42:31]

Verdict — Hold the Asset

• “I'm not ready to part with LaMelo Ball just yet.” (A) [52:24]

[52:54] – Zion Williamson: Sisyphus with a Max Contract?

Unique Twist:

• Deal features rare physical “guarantee” clauses (weight/BMI check-ins); still, no one knows if he's met them.

Asset or Liability?

• “It’s the sound of silence as he’s playing well. That’s probably the…really concerning thing.” (B) [54:56]
• Even “good” Zion feels empty—a relentless stat accumulator, no chemistry with Queen or young core.
  • “He’s just not helping me…he’s just played so little. I think I’d just go ahead and start looking into [moving]…” (C) [57:25]

Suitor Ideas:

• Miami Heat: Could provide structure/a hard line, but it's a gamble.
  • “I just think, like, they need someone with a little bit more of an established track record. Because with Zion…I'm worried more about the injuries than with any guy we've talked about. It’s so much worse.” (B) [58:47]
• Chicago Bulls: Classic “expirings for Zion” pitch, but is even that worth it for New Orleans?
  • “That’s where…I don’t even know that the clearing the decks move is out there.” (A) [61:46]
• Washington Wizards: (Chris Middleton-centric hypothetical)
  • “You want a veteran around your young core, right?” (B) [64:20]
  • “As far as Zion Williamson as a Washington Wizard? Sure.” (A) [66:05]

Memorable Moment:

• Zion as NBA's Dreamcast rental:
  • “I don’t own a Sega Saturn, but I’m going to rent one for the weekend and…never going to think about it again. But…we had that weekend and it was fine.” (A) [63:31]

Verdict — Stick or Cut, but No Savvy Logic for a Trade

• “...hanging out with Zion and I’m going to let him cook for as much as he’s available, and I’m going to live with the reality that often he won’t be.” (A) [62:44]

[66:42] – Domantas Sabonis: The Untradeable Good Player

Context:

• On the books for two more years, mid-$40Ms; out with knee injury since November.

Dilemma:

• No contender wants to build around him; as a trade piece, too valuable for tanking teams, too inflexible for good ones.
  • “You have to love them like you do with family. Jesus is your brother or your cousin or God.” (A, deadpan) [67:28]
• No real suitors; value is too roster-dependent, and no rebuilding team wants to stack salary.

Potential: Hornets as Hub (if LaMelo is dealt)

- “I like him for the Hornets if Lamelo is moved out in a separate trade. Because then you’re just relying on him being the hub for two guys in Miller and Khan…” (B) [69:39]

Verdict — No Real Market

• “It is hard. It’s really hard to find the Domantas Sabonis trade team.” (A) [67:42]

Best Quotes & Banter

• On Bulls’ Asset Management:

  • “If we’re comparing teams to houses, as we started to, if you’re talking about the Bulls as a house, what is NOT for sale? Like, what’s the foundation? How far down can we go?” (C) [33:32]

• On Zion’s Career Arc:

  • “We’re barreling towards a world where Zion is just this great thing that you can rent. People just kind of stop getting tied up in his future because it’s just not a thing... it’s like renting a Sega Saturn for the weekend.” (C/A) [63:23–63:51]

• On LaMelo’s Style of Play:

  • “Can you have those two warring approaches coexist? I think someone who’s a hard-over is someone who just wants to like, do finger paints on the basketball court…” (B/A) [45:34]

Key Timestamps

• [05:40] — Premise: “Love It or List It” for trade assets.
• [09:44] — The Bucks as possibly the only desperate Ja Morant suitor.
• [16:17] — Why Ja doesn’t help the Raptors.
• [24:04] — Anthony Davis: The worst kind of expensive asset.
• [38:30] — LaMelo Ball’s trade debate; fun versus headache.
• [48:59] — Heat as the ideal LaMelo reclamation project.
• [52:54] — Zion Williamson: Is “clearing the decks” even worth it?
• [63:23–63:56] — Zion as NBA’s Dreamcast rental.
• [67:28] — Sabonis: Stuck as a “family member.”

Tone & Takeaways

• The episode is loaded with humor, skepticism, and inside jokes.
• A critical theme is the shift in NBA trade logic post-2024 CBA: fewer “big swings,” rising caution, and scarcity of true “buyers.”
• Each debated player represents a modern NBA team-building paradox: Talent (and hope) vs. contract (and frustration).
• The “list” pile is bigger than ever, but real buyers are almost non-existent, resulting in a potential for a very slow deadline—unless something rash happens (see Knicks tease near end).

Final Thoughts

This episode serves as a state-of-the-union for the 2026 NBA trade market. The answer is rarely simple: nearly every star comes with red flags that compromise their value, and teams hoping to swing the next blockbuster are finding only grim choices or unrealistic asks. The hosts’ blend of analysis and comedy makes for an essential listen for anyone pondering what’s REALLY possible this trade season.

Episode summarized by The Ringer NBA Show’s tone—half basketball brain, half group chat sarcasm.

Skip the ads, skip the intro, but don’t skip this pod if you want to feel the mood of NBA decision-making circa 2026!