Podcast Episode Summary

Podcast: The Zach Lowe Show
Episode: The Forgotten Teams With Tony Jones and Jon Krawczynski. Plus, All-Rookie Teams With J. Kyle Mann.
Date: December 22, 2025
Host: Zach Lowe
Guests: Tony Jones (The Athletic), Jon Krawczynski (The Athletic), J. Kyle Mann (The Ringer)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode spotlights two overlooked NBA teams—the Philadelphia 76ers and the Minnesota Timberwolves—analyzing what makes them special and their place in a shifting league. The first half is a deep dive with Tony Jones and Jon Krawczynski on the forgotten narratives around Philly and Minnesota, incorporating league news, potential trades, and broader NBA tanking debates. In the second half, Zach welcomes J. Kyle Mann for a third-of-the-year check-in on the 2025 rookie class, picking First and Second Team All-Rookie rosters and discussing standout rookies as well as potential future stars.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

I. NBA News Roundup (04:10–19:30)

- Sabonis Injury and Kings Direction

• Domantas Sabonis is out 4–6 weeks.
• Sacramento is suggested to tank for top draft picks (04:49).
  • Tony Jones: “Darren Peterson, do not win another game for the remainder of the season and see what you can do to get the number one pick..." (05:16)
• Potential fake trades (e.g., Sabonis for LaMelo), Kings’ uncertainty about their core.

- Clippers’ Trade Dilemma

• Zubac’s ankle sprain and the team’s lack of assets.
• The Clippers’ lack of draft picks puts future rebuilding at risk (06:19–11:56).
  • Tony Jones: “This is the danger of making that move for the elite player...” (09:11)
  • Jon Krawczynski: "Any two first round picks you could get for Zubac … you’d have to do" (11:09)
• Harden’s limited trade viability.
  • Zach Lowe: “If someone bowled me over … I think I’d pull the trigger” [re: Zubac] (11:56)

- NBA Tanking and Draft Reform

• Increased scrutiny of tanking and potential rule changes in response to gambling scandals (15:37).
  • Draft pick protections and lottery system discussion (15:37–24:06).
  • Zach Lowe: "Should we revisit the notion that there should be some limit on how many seasons in a row you can pick in the Top X…" (15:37)
  • Tony Jones: “Utah Jazz look like an example of the current system working … last year, they got the fifth pick … this year, more competitive” (21:07)

II. Deep Dive – The “Forgotten” Philadelphia 76ers (26:35–45:15)

- Season Recap & Surprise Success

• Overcoming drama with a 16–11 record, despite injuries to Embiid and others.
• Tyrese Maxey is having a superstar season; new addition Vijay Edgecomb is a key revelation (26:35, 32:01).
  • Zach Lowe: “Tyrese Maxey is having another breakout on top of a breakout … VJ Edgecomb is completely 100% legit, and they have kind of found something in Embiid’s absence …” (26:35)
  • Tony Jones: “We thought that Tyrese would be All-Star level. We didn’t know that he’d be superstar level…” (32:34)

- Joel Embiid’s New Role

• Embiid appears slower; his defense is still impactful, but less mobile (29:56).
• The team’s identity is shifting to the guards, especially Edgecomb and Maxey.
  • “He doesn’t have to go out there and try to average 30 … the guards are able to score and create for themselves and others at a high level” (34:34)
• Embiid not over-dominating the offense; shows adaptability and trust in guards.

- Trade Deadline & Roster Management

• Limited trade flexibility; picks from the Clippers are valuable but probably off-limits (38:31).
• Grimes’ and Barlow’s roles as glue guys; questions around their future contracts.

- Front Office Evaluation

• The solid performance protects Daryl Morey and Elton Brand’s jobs.
  • Tony Jones: “[Morey] has a lot to do with how this roster has been able to regenerate around Embiid’s injury issues…” (42:19)

- Maxey & All-NBA Race

• Maxey could make 1st Team All-NBA due to injuries to other stars (45:13).

- Memorable Moment

• Zach Lowe on backcourt nicknames: “We can’t have this be called VJ Max … I don’t like the store TJ Maxx. I call it Crap for Sale.” (45:13)

III. Deep Dive – Minnesota Timberwolves (47:17–64:30)

- State of the Team

• Two straight conference finals, yet barely in the national conversation.
• Notable consistency despite no splashy deals; focus on internal improvement.
  • Jon Krawczynski: “They have had the vibe all season … we’ve been to the West finals a couple years in a row, just muddling through…” (50:34)
• 19–10 record despite injuries, top 10 in both offense/defense, fourth-quarter defense is elite.

- Rudy Gobert’s Re-Emergence

• Big influence both offensively (tip-outs, “Tyson Chandler 2.0”) and defensively (47:17).

- Anthony Edwards as Lead Guard

• Playing “Point Ant” is a resounding success; team data reflects positive outcomes (53:42–55:15).
  • Zach Lowe: “I think the point Ant experiment has been a resounding success precisely because he’s not forcing it at all … he’s making the simple play …” (53:42)
• The starting five (DiVincenzo, Edwards, Jaden, Randle, Gobert) is dominant.

- Trade/Bench Dynamics

• Ongoing search for bench scoring and defense (e.g., Nas Reid, Terence Shannon Jr., Bones Hyland, Dillingham).
• Cautious approach at the deadline due to constrained assets.
• Dillingham learning curve (delivery/managing the offense).

- Memorable Quotes

• Jon Krawczynski: “DiVincenzo is the red-haired fiery guy. He gets in and sticks his nose in … fights someone.” (55:15)
• Tony Jones: “Dante DiVincenzo is just straight up better than Kobe White. Agree or disagree?” (58:49)

IV. All-Rookie Teams Check-In with J. Kyle Mann (66:24–end)

- First Team All-Rookie Candidates

• Six primary candidates: Con Knipple, Cooper Flagg, VJ Edgecomb, Derek Queen, Cedric Coward, Dylan Harper. Jeremiah Fears as a close 7th.
  • “To me, Queen absolutely has to be a first team all rookie…” (68:51)

- In-Depth Rookie Analysis

• Knipple: Elite shooting (19 PPG, 41% 3PT); possibly best rookie shooter ever (75:10).
• Edgecomb: Greater on-ball readiness than expected, advanced, low-mistake game.
  • J. Kyle Mann: "He looks like Dwyane Wade, man…when he jumps into the lane and flips his hips…” (76:53)
• Queen: Elite handle for a center, playmaking, and reminiscent of Jokic/Shengun (71:40).
• Flag: Defensive disruptor, evolving into a playmaking forward but jumpshot inconsistent.

- Position Battles & Honorable Mentions

• Arguments for Jeremiah Fears, Coward, and Harper.
• Evaluation of role, context, and efficiency for each rookie.

- Second Team & Deep Cuts

• Nemhard (stabilizing influence in Dallas), Ryan Kalkbrenner, Ace Bailey, Maxime Reynaud, Will Richard, Danny Wolf all discussed.

- Themed Rookie Observations

• A “deep” and impactful class, with several ready to make an impact on winning teams.
• Zach Lowe: “He plays with a mentality and a steadiness that is way beyond his years.” [on Edgecomb] (78:00)

- Fun & Memorable Moments

• Zach and Kyle debate bad backcourt nicknames (“VJ Max”), toy with “Slash Brothers” for Spurs.
• Extended riff on pharmaceutical commercials and rookie minutes.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the 76ers’ surprising chemistry
  Tony Jones (34:34): “He [Embiid] doesn’t have to go out there and shoot 25 times a game anymore. … because the guards are able to score and create for themselves and others at a high level.”
• On the Timberwolves' lack of hype
  Jon Krawczynski (50:34): “They have had the vibe all season … we’ve been to the West finals a couple years in a row, just muddling through… wake us up when the playoffs get here.”
• On All-Rookie picks and context
  J. Kyle Mann (67:28): “Context just really dictates so much … to what extent you’re handed the car keys.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 04:10 – Sabonis injury and Kings' direction
• 06:19 – Clippers’ situation and Zubac/Harden trade possibilities
• 15:37 – NBA tanking/gambling/reporting reforms
• 26:35 – “Forgotten” Sixers in-depth: chemistry and identity
• 29:56 – Joel Embiid’s new role and impact
• 38:31 – Sixers’ trade options and bench revelations
• 42:19 – The Sixers' front office gets credit
• 45:13 – Maxey’s All-NBA candidacy / “VJ Max” nickname rant
• 47:17 – Timberwolves’ season, strengths, and looming challenges
• 53:42 – The “Point Ant” success story
• 58:49 – DiVincenzo vs. Kobe White debate
• 66:24 – All-Rookie Team check-in with Kyle Mann
• 76:53 – J. Kyle Mann on Edgecomb’s “Dwyane Wade” flashes
• 101:40–102:18 – Trey Johnson’s path to Second Team
• 111:01 – Danny Wolf: “calm astonishment” and playmaking creativity

Final Thoughts & Takeaways

• Both Philadelphia and Minnesota are undervalued, multidimensional teams built through a blend of smart front office management, opportunistic drafting, and the selflessness of rising and established stars.
• 2025’s rookie class is shaping up as one of the deepest and most impactful in recent years, with a blend of elite shooting, defensive versatility, and surprising immediate contributions across the board.
• Nicknames, tanking rules, and trade speculation enliven the podcast’s thoughtful, data-centric commentary, with a relatable, banter-driven style throughout.

Useful For:
Anyone looking to catch up on underrated NBA teams, rookie race drama, or the midseason pulse of both established and emerging storylines in the league.