The Ringer NBA Show: Young Core Rankings, Part 1 & Knicks Are Cup Champs | Group Chat

Date: December 17, 2025
Hosts: Justin Verrier (JV), Rob Mahoney (RM), J. Kyle Mann (JKM)

Episode Overview

This robust episode of Group Chat features The Ringer NBA team launching their annual "Young Core Rankings," sizing up the best (and not-so-best) under-24 NBA talent pools, and debating who classes as a blue-chip prospect. But before diving into the rankings, the crew breaks down the Knicks’ triumph in the NBA Cup over the Spurs, examining what the win means for New York, San Antonio, and broader league trends.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Knicks Win the NBA Cup: Olds Triumph Over Youngs (00:30–17:16)

Knicks vs. Spurs Recap

• Approach & Experience Matters: Knicks’ blend of size, savvy, and methodical execution outlasted the athletic but less-polished Spurs.
  • JV: “Frankly, from the Knicks perspective, like, kind of a blueprint for how they could win the East... This is the exact sort of combination of size and savvy and Jalen Brunson, like, attracting a ton of attention.”
• The Process & Execution: Knicks’ offense used Brunson as a “diversion,” enabling efficient secondary action. Spurs, meanwhile, are still in early development stages on that front.
  • JKM: “You could just kind of see that the Spurs weren’t as sure about that, about how to go about that process, and the Knicks just were.”
• In-Game Adjustments:
  • First half: Spurs ran wild in transition with high-energy, athletic plays.
  • Second half: Knicks' bench, especially Tyler Kolek and Jordan Clarkson, swung the game with key plays. Mitchell Robinson’s 10 offensive rebounds were a gamechanger against a normally stout Spurs rebounding squad.
  • JKM (on Kolek): “He preemptively shut me up... Insane [impact] with the energy, with all those connective plays. Also Mitchell Robinson, 10 offensive rebounds. Insane.”
• Spurs’ Struggles:
  • Wemby showed flashes (threes, dunks), but started hunting for daggers instead of playing within flow—“kind of in shell shock mode” against the Knicks’ size (06:08–09:18).
  • Spurs' supporting cast (Barnes, Vassell, Harper) missed open looks and fell victim to New York’s methodical attack.

Knicks’ Roster Depth & DNA

• OG Anunoby: Praised for reliability as a two-way threat; impossible to pin down or focus on due to his off-ball movement. “He rules every game he plays.” (12:00)
• Benchmark Moments: Knicks’ rotation and “All Dogs Attack” identity have survived star additions, even as personalities/roles shift.
• JV: “If you have concerns about the Knicks, it would be the bench... but they acquit themselves in these big moments.”

Organizational Questions

• For Spurs: Do they need another big to contend with Western heavyweights, or is their investment in their current bigs (Cornet, Olenek) enough? (15:11)

Young Core Rankings: Bottom Dwellers to the Practical Middle (17:17–End)

Methodology & Eligibility (19:34–21:11)

• Eligibility: Players in their age 24 season or younger, as listed on Basketball Reference.
• Value: Mix of current/long-term upside and “asset value” (what you'd get for them as a trade chip).
• Notable: Blue-chip list focuses on upside, not just current performance.

Rankings & Notable Arguments

30. LA Clippers

• Consensus: No promising young pieces, just theoretical projects and depth champions.
  • RM: “There’s just no young player on the Clippers I see really anything in whatsoever.”
• Kobe Sanders: Only one with some “potential as a catch-and-shoot guy,” but not ready for real minutes.

29. New York Knicks

• Bright spot: Tyler Kolek; debate over whether his impact is real or “aspirational TJ McConnell.”
  • JKM: “He’s a ball-mover... gives them a little burst.”
  • RM: “I'm quite lukewarm at best when it comes to the Kolik experience.”
• Prospects like Hug Porti or Dotier only inspire mild hope.

28. LA Lakers

• Jake LaRavia: First “rotation player” on these low-ranked teams; likely to be a serviceable guy, but not a star.
• Dalton Knecht: Confidence and role issues; the “JJ Redick” comparison for tough development and coach-player dynamics.
• Nick Smith Jr and Ado Thiero: “Quintessential lie detector test guy” and “absolute maniac” hustle types, but real impact limited.
• Bronny James: “Still needs a G League progression... hard way to develop for any player, especially on this particular team.” (38:55)

27. Sacramento Kings

• Maxime Reynaud: Flashed real potential as a mobile big, “wiry,” and “got some shit to him.” (42:57)
• Nik Clifford: JKM still believes (“diamond hands”), but “shooting just has not been there.”
• Role: General lack of young promise; Raynaud stands out by default.

26. Boston Celtics

• Jordan Walsh, Ugo Gonzalez, Josh Minott: All have impressed in spurts, but as a group, only “1.5 rotation players.”
• JKM (on Walsh): “If it were possible, he would be a canker sore on your ass. But if it were possible, it would be Jordan Walsh.” (49:08)
• “All have that dog in them”—Celtics’ young core praised for defensive versatility and fit.

25. Milwaukee Bucks

• Ryan Rollins: Real growth this year—“making threes really consistently,” great point-of-attack gravity, but is he a star or just a system guy?
  • JKM: “First player on the list who could do these types of things credibly and consistently…”
• Andre Jackson Jr.: Disappointment so far (“painful, I believed in him”). Team lacks high-upside youth.

24. Indiana Pacers

• Jarace Walker: Disappointing and ambiguous fit (“maybe he does stink”), not adapted to a perimeter-heavy modern game.
• Ben Mathurin: Flashes but hasn’t popped with opportunity; may serve as “spark plug, sixth man,” rather than star.
• Ben Sheppard: Good defender, but not enough shooting or organization impact.

23. Denver Nuggets

• Christian Braun: “Finals, championship-validated role player,” but not an upside guy.
• Peyton Watson & Julian Strawther: Hoped for more, but neither has “popped” as a next-level prospect.
• Debate over Spencer Jones: Energetic, but lacks enough offensive production or defensive strength to move the needle. (67:41)

22. Golden State Warriors

• Kuminga, Pajemski, Moody, Will Richard: Kuminga still gets value from “real hooper” types, but consensus is most of his return is as an asset, not production. Pajemski may want to be “the face” but would be best as a seventh/eighth man.

21. Miami Heat

• Khalil Ware: Debate over whether he’ll be an actual star or “top 50-70 player.” Defensive tools and shooting intrigue.
  • JKM: "He could flirt with top 50 in the league. Maybe top 50–70."
• Jaime Jaquez: Resurging, but needs movement/kinetic system to thrive.
• Jovic: “Does a little of everything, but nothing at a truly high level.” Can't carve out role.
• Yakushonis: Needs more time.

20. Portland Trail Blazers

• Donovan Clingan: “Big old rim protector,” but probably tapped at 25 minutes a night max; value is in being a “solid dude.”
• Scoot Henderson: Still believe in the makeup—should become a good/high-level starter.
  • JV: "[Scoot's] just a hardo grinder who revels in mastering nuances of the position."
• Shaden Sharpe: Worrisome development—if he can’t shoot, he’s just an “energy scorer.” Mental part needs to click.
• Rayan Rupert: Looks rough against NBA competition but is a “lottery ticket.”
• Concern: All development is hope-based; Deni Avdija is technically not eligible by age, so core feels even less inspiring.

19. Phoenix Suns

• Mark Williams: Valuable athletic rim protector when deployed correctly. Injury a worry; trade that acquired him looks better in hindsight.
• Lottery-ticket depth: Malawatch, Ryan Dunn, Rasher Fleming, Ogodaro—solid but likely capped as versatile role guys.
• JKM: “It's solid. I don't know about the overall upside.”

18. Brooklyn Nets

• Noah Clowney: The closest thing to a blue-chip, as a versatile, plug-and-play, three-and-D rim-protector (99:34).
• Cam Thomas: “Undeniable at what he does,” but assists few and skepticism about his scalability. Usage up, but little creation for others.
  • JKM: “It’s undeniable that he will do what he does.”
• Jégor Guilman: "Fewest two-pointers" stat noted, passing praised, but must develop offensive aggression.
• Drake Powell: Will be a solid, if somewhat subtle, role player.

17. Memphis Grizzlies

• Zach Edey: Both a breakthrough and a major injury concern (“stress reaction in his left ankle”). “When he's on, looks like a real difference-maker.”
• Cedric Coward: “He's nailed to the floor for the Grizzlies... going to jive with whatever they choose to do.” Non-scoring impact (rebounding, defense) stands out.
• Jalen Wells: Spark plug archetype.

16. Chicago Bulls

• Noah Aseng: Barely seen; asset only in the broadest sense.
• Josh Giddey: Top blue-chip prospect for some panelists; others see ceiling as “major contributor on a good-fun team, not a true title team's solution.” (117:01)
  • JKM: “...Third, fourth, probably, if he accepted a lesser role. Some of these primacy-insistent guys just lead you to think that they're more, but really... they have to accept a different role on a title team.”
• Bruze Ellis/Modest Vuzelis: Still a believer in all-around contributor role, not as a primary creator.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The process was the most obvious, glaring thing... As you get a little older, you start to know who you are a little better. For some people, that involves therapy. For some people, that’s being together with great teammates, like the Knicks—which is, in a way, therapy.” —J. Kyle Mann (02:08)
• “[On Tyler Kolek] I’m quite lukewarm at best when it comes to the Kolek experience.” —Rob Mahoney (29:10)
• “There’s just no young player on the Clippers I see really anything in whatsoever... Even their project big is 22 and can’t get on the floor.” —Rob Mahoney (24:17)
• “[On Kuminga] When he’s played, he’s actively made the Warriors worse on both sides of the ball.”—Rob Mahoney (72:13)
• “A do Thiero would dive into a vat of sulfuric acid to maybe get a deflection. The dude is an absolute maniac.” —J. Kyle Mann (38:28)
• “OG Anunoby: Did he miss a shot tonight?” —Rob Mahoney (12:00)
• “If Shaden [Sharpe] can’t shoot well...I’m really worried. He still has the ability to float in the air and so you want to keep betting on him.” —Justin Verrier (86:43)
• “It's solid. I don’t know about the overall upside.” —J. Kyle Mann (93:37, on the Suns’ prospects)
• “Cam Thomas: It’s undeniable that he’ll do what he does.” —JKM (102:54)
• “Nick Clifford—diamond hands.” —Rob Mahoney (44:59)
• “Every young player needs tension and release.”—J. Kyle Mann (89:42)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:30–03:45 — Knicks vs. Spurs NBA Cup Final recap; Knicks’ process vs. Spurs’ youth.
• 06:08–09:18 — Spurs’ struggles integrating Wembanyama, Knicks’ defensive schemes.
• 15:11–16:33 — Spurs’ frontcourt depth question (“Do the Spurs need another big?” discussion).
• 17:17–21:11 — Young Core rankings, rules, and eligibility.
• 23:28–24:17 — Clippers’ total lack of young talent, organization philosophy.
• 29:10–29:16 — Knicks’ low ceiling for young prospects.
• 38:28 — Ado Thiero’s hustle.
• 42:57 — Praise for Maxime Reynaud as a rare Kings highlight.
• 49:08 — Jordan Walsh, “canker sore on your ass” (defensive tenacity anecdote).
• 67:41–68:26 — Spencer Jones’ value (or lack thereof) for Denver.
• 86:13–86:55 — Sharp and Portland: optimism vs. disappointment.
• 99:25–100:42 — Brooklyn's Noah Clowney blue-chip debate.
• 102:53–103:36 — Cam Thomas’ scoring profile (21 assists in 8 games).
• 117:01–117:46 — Josh Giddey ceiling debate.

Summary & Tone

The tone throughout is analytical and playful, with deep dives into player development and plenty of running jokes—about “guys’ guys,” “tension and release,” the “airport test,” and self-mocking for their own hacks and biases. The analysis is peppered with lighthearted bickering, but carries a clear respect for both the nuances of player development and the sometimes-humbling reality for fringe youth on win-now teams.

Next Episode: Part Two will move up from #15 to #1, featuring much spicier debates over who truly has the best young core and which blue-chip prospects are worth betting the franchise on.

For more, listen to The Ringer NBA Show's Group Chat wherever podcasts are found.