The Ringer NBA Show: Welcome to Trade Season – Six Big Questions as the Rumor Mill Heats Up. Plus, Wemby Snuffs Out the Thunder | Group Chat

Date: December 15, 2025
Panelists: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, J. Kyle Mann

Episode Overview

This Group Chat episode marks the unofficial start of NBA trade season (December 15), with the hosts assembling to tackle six major questions about the looming trade market, shifting league dynamics, and player/team futures. The episode also begins with a deep dive into the Spurs’ thrilling win over the Thunder in the NBA Cup semifinals—a game the hosts describe as possibly the game of the year. Throughout, the discussion flows naturally between basketball analysis, trade speculation, league trends, and plenty of the panel’s comedic banter.

Main Topics & Key Insights

1. Spurs vs. Thunder: Game of the Year Contender

[04:00–22:00]

• Wemby’s Impact: The show kicks off with a dissection of the Spurs’ semifinal win against the Thunder, with Victor Wembanyama’s performance and aura at the center.

  • J. Kyle Mann: “The Spurs just have a really big horse they can unleash… when [Wemby] came into the game, he affects everything, even to a team as good as the Thunder.” (09:15)
  • Justin Verrier: “This felt like a great cup game and also one with implications that transcend the [NBA] Cup.” (04:43)

• Rivalry/Drama: Discussion includes the brewing rivalry between Wemby and Chet Holmgren, the game’s chippiness, and the psychological edge Wemby seems to wield.

  • Rob Mahoney: “He knows how to push and prod just enough where it’s not annoying, and it does feel deserving of his station, because he is this good and the league is kind of handing itself over to him.” (07:00)

• Coaching & Lineups:

  • The hosts highlight strategic coaching by Ms. Johnson and the Spurs, managing Wemby’s minutes for dramatic effect as well as high-leverage lineups featuring Castle, Harper, Fox, and Wemby together for the first time this season.
  • Justin Verrier: “They don’t even know how to manage these lineups yet… just speaks to how much more there is to explore.” (14:00)

• Thunder’s Lessons: The Thunder’s “immortal tyrant” reputation gets checked:

  • Rob Mahoney: “As a basketball-loving collective we needed this—an ‘if it bleeds, you can kill it’ moment.” (10:34)
  • Discussion about Thunder’s late-game predictability and the limits of role-players like Lu Dort.

• Defensive Chess Match:

  • Spurs’ defense with Wemby on the back line forced the Thunder into “killing clock” and shot-clock violations.
  • Rob Mahoney: “You just make them kill clock. Now they’re doing it and they can’t move Wembanyama from the paint… it takes its toll.” (15:29)

Memorable Moment:

• J. Kyle Mann compares the Spurs’ use of Wemby to deploying an absurdly large horse in an old Far Side cartoon: “Whenever you need something impossible done, just bring out the big horse.” (08:55)

2. NBA Cup Final Preview: Spurs vs. Knicks

[19:40–24:00]

• Matchup Possibilities:
  • Speculation about who the Knicks could throw on Wemby—OG Anunoby, Alex Caruso, or even Karl-Anthony Towns.
• Knicks’ Physicality: Group questions if the Knicks’ collective “girth”—as opposed to length—poses new problems for the Spurs.
• Cup Stakes & Rest:
  • Justin Verrier: “Two days rest. What a concept that we can get rest getting into these big games.” (21:26)

3. Unofficial Start of Trade Season: Shifting Dynamics

[27:04–36:00+]

Big Question #1: Are teams cooling on chasing stars and sacrificing depth?

• The group dissects new league trends under the restrictive new CBA/apron structure:
  • Rob Mahoney: “Billionaires still like shiny stuff… no apron will fully stop them. But market is shifting.” (29:56)
  • Justin Verrier: “Do we really need to mess up this finely crafted [depth]? Why narrow our window for a big swing?” (31:43)
• Changing Landscape: Young, deep teams (Thunder, Spurs) are models now, while teams that gut depth (last year’s Suns) struggle.
• Short-Term vs. Long-Term:
  • J. Kyle Mann: “You would have to accept that a trade now is just a glimpse at the sun… then you go right back to earth.” (35:03)
• Is “Availability” over “flash” good for the league? The group questions if regular season grind and health being most important is good for the league’s intrigue and the tendency to chase stars.

4. Giannis Watch: Where Would He Force a Trade?

[37:43–45:00]

• Realistic Suitors and Fit:
  • J. Kyle Mann: Hawks as a fit (“The Hawks make a lot of sense… if you can get that pick and Trey [Young], could jumpstart your future.”) (40:15)
  • Rob Mahoney: “If I’m Giannis, I think I would want to go to Miami. I want a front office that is proven, can make the follow-up moves…” (40:54)
  • Justin Verrier: Knicks and Rockets discussed, but he’s skeptical about fit—“You’d have to strip-mine the Knicks to get him.” (42:48)
• Heat Interviewed as Ideal Partner:
  • Mahoney details reasons: “Spoelstra can ask something different of Giannis, push him further.” (44:19)

Age, Availability, and Style Risks:

• All note Giannis’ playing style’s potential to age poorly (“It’s a lot of abuse… a lot of getting into the lane and pivoting… how does that age?” – J. Kyle Mann, 46:11)

5. Next Most Interesting Potential Trade Targets

[48:28–54:50]

• Anthony Davis:

  • Rob Mahoney: “He can change things for a lot of teams and I think you have to tip your hat to that.” (48:50)
  • Justin Verrier: Lukewarm on a market: “Any team that is going to trade for him is going to sell the [team trading] on this version of him…” (52:07)
  • Celtics, Bulls, Mavs as theoretical fits but all seem structurally or emotionally challenging.

• Other Names: LaMelo Ball, Ja Morant, Zion Williamson:

  • Concerns about health and availability, but all agreed Lamelo might make the biggest leap if healthy.
  • Rob Mahoney: “You put Ja Morant on a run-of-mill team and they start winning regular season games if he is healthy and available.” (50:43)

6. The “Misery Business” Segment: Should Sad-Sack Franchises Sell?

[55:10–65:00]

• Utah Jazz: Keep or Sell Lauri Markkanen?
  • Rob Mahoney: “Absolutely consider it… these guys (Lowry/MPJ) have such clear utility to winning teams.” (56:41)
• Brooklyn Nets: Michael Porter Jr. as a target?
  • Justin Verrier: “He would cycle back into what he was alongside Jokic.”
  • MPJ’s shotmaking value is lauded, but injury concerns are major.
  • J. Kyle Mann: “I think they would want Ivey if they were going to do [a Pistons trade].” (60:19)
• Other Sellers Discussed:
  • Sacramento (Sabonis), Charlotte, Memphis (Jaren Jackson Jr. as a possible pivot point)
  • Justin Verrier: “Can we just get a barrel [of assets] if we move on from Jaren now?” (63:58)

7. Teams Most in Need of a Trade

[66:23–75:00]

• Detroit Pistons:
  • Justin Verrier: “If I find a deal that keeps me on the same timeline, I’m doing it, because there’s a real opportunity [in the East].” (66:58)
  • Panel debates whether “need” is overstated, but agree the roster could use more shotmaking and versatility.
• Minnesota Timberwolves:
  • J. Kyle Mann: “If they could get a steady ballhandler, that would bolster what they have.”
• Cleveland Cavaliers:
  • Rob Mahoney: “Everything feels bad with the Cavs all the time… they’ve lost so much of the connectivity that made them good last season.” (71:48)
  • Panel speculates on breaking up the Mitchell-Garland-Allen core.

8. Buy-Low Candidates: Who Needs a Change of Scenery?

[76:25–84:43]

• Zach LaVine:

  • Rob Mahoney: “I still want to believe… but he gets paid a fuck ton of money.” (77:20)
  • Justin Verrier: “Is Zach LaVine the plus-minus devil?” (78:12)

• Malik Monk:

  • Justin Verrier: “There’s no country for small scoring guards anymore… but I want to see good things for him.” (79:26)
  • Group discusses the limitations of Monk’s profile in the changing league.

• Others: Kobe White, Jalen Suggs, Jalen Duren, Jairus Walker:

  • J. Kyle Mann: “Jairus Walker… there are believers out there who might take a swing.” (82:20)
  • Concerns about fit, patience, and opportunity.

• The Vibes Debate:

  • Justin Verrier: “Do we really want to disrupt the good vibes here?” (68:59) (referring to Pistons’ energy).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• J. Kyle Mann: “I think we’re well past [the point] where people say fuck everybody for minor conveniences.” (02:58)
  (early banter, setting tone for the show)

• Rob Mahoney: “As a basketball-loving collective, we needed this—an ‘if it bleeds, you can kill it’ moment.” (10:34)

• Justin Verrier: “The Spurs just seemed a little more dangerous… maybe that’s the unpredictability, maybe that’s just Wemby meeting the moment.” (17:35)

• J. Kyle Mann: “If teams are being cooled [on big trades], it’s because the constraints are tighter, but billionaires still like shiny things.” (29:54)

• Rob Mahoney: “If you are giving up all handlers, Caris LeVert has quietly been quite good, but do I want to bet on that in May and June?” (68:27)

Episode Structure & Timestamps

• [00:00–04:00]: Banter, icebreakers, prop comedy jokes, TSA morality test.
• [04:00–22:00]: Extended Spurs-Thunder Cup game analysis and implications.
• [19:40–24:00]: Brief NBA Cup Final preview (Spurs-Knicks).
• [27:04–36:00+]: Trade season big questions; are teams cooling on stars?
• [37:43–45:00]: Giannis trade hypotheticals; best fits and broader concerns.
• [48:28–54:50]: Other star trade targets (AD, LaMelo, Ja, Zion), challenges of building through the trade market.
• [55:10–65:00]: Which teams should ‘sell?’ Deep-dive on Markkanen, MPJ, Sabonis, Jaren Jackson Jr.
• [66:23–75:00]: Which team needs to make a deal? Pistons, Wolves, Cavs debated.
• [76:25–84:43]: Buy-low segment—players who need a new home, how the league's trends have changed their value.

Tone & Style

True to “Group Chat,” the episode is freewheeling, irreverent, and full of both high-level analysis and offbeat humor. Justin, Rob, and Kyle play off each other’s ideas, making room for inside jokes and self-aware asides.

For Listeners Who Missed It

You’ll leave this episode with:

• A strong sense of how the league’s team-building meta is shifting toward depth and flexibility, and which teams and stars that most impacts.
• Clear, relatable breakdowns of the most interesting hypothetical trades—particularly for Giannis, AD, and other changing-of-the-guard figures.
• A feel for the major winners, losers, and wild cards as the rumor mill begins to churn, with plenty of historical context and skepticism about short-term “all-in” gambles.
• An appreciation for the game-changing, irresistible drama of Wembanyama and why every NBA fan should be watching his every move.

[End of Summary]