The Zach Lowe Show – “Under-the-Radar Trade Candidates With Wosny Lambre. Plus, Alperen Sengun and Jalen Duren on Their Teams’ Successes.”

Date: December 18, 2025
Host: Zach Lowe
Guest: Wosny Lambre (aka "Big Wos")
Featured Interviews: Alperen Sengun (Houston Rockets), Jalen Duren (Detroit Pistons)

Episode Overview

In this loaded episode, Zach Lowe and guest Wosny Lambre dive deep into the NBA’s most compelling “under-the-radar” trade candidates, exploring teams not named in blockbuster rumors but nonetheless active in the market. They break down the uncertain futures of the Cavaliers, Knicks, Rockets, Spurs, Pistons, and more, discussing possible tweaks rather than seismic moves. The second half features candid interviews with breakout big men Alperen Sengun and Jalen Duren, who reflect on their teams’ successes, playoff lessons, and personal development.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cleveland Cavaliers Crisis

• Cavs in Trouble: The episode opens with an in-depth critique of Cleveland's disappointing performance and questions the roster’s construction, coaching, and mentality.
  • Zach’s Diagnosis: Moves Cleveland from "DEFCON 2" to "DEFCON 1" after another loss and calls out Darius Garland’s struggles and team-wide listlessness.
  • Wos on Attitude: Draws parallels to the 2021 Hawks, criticizing the Cavs’ lack of hunger and killer instinct post-playoff disappointment.
  • Garland playing through injury; doubts about whether the team can rebound or needs more than just getting healthy.

“You got bounced in the second round. Embarrassingly, it wasn’t even close… You don’t get to do this after you got ran off the court…”
— Wosny Lambre (10:14)

Timestamp Highlights

• [07:00] Zach: “I’m at DEFCON 1 with Cleveland … This looks pretty close to broken.”
• [09:30] Wos: “There’s a listlessness and a rudderlessness…”

2. Knicks - Celebration Discourses and Offensive Growth

• Knicks' Cup Win: Defends the Knicks’ enjoyment after the NBA Cup, dismissing the notion they “over-celebrated.”
• Offensive Evolution: Praise for New York’s diversity of attack and improved ball movement, singling out Mitchell Robinson and OG Anunoby as vital.

“The ball is really snapping, particularly in transition… you can always tell when a team starts to believe.”
— Zach Lowe (19:03)

Timestamps

• [14:48] Zach: “I picked the Knicks before the season to make the Finals.”
• [16:04] Wos: “That’s an insane take that they shouldn’t be celebrating…”

3. Under-the-Radar Trade Candidates & Scenarios

Trade Landscape Beyond the Superstars

• Mainstream rumors focus on Giannis, LaMelo, Trae, etc.; Lowe/Lambre identify practical trades that could quietly swing the season:

Houston Rockets

• Needs: Another shooter/wing. Candidates: Corey Kispert, Dorian Finney-Smith (possibly returning from injury), Sam Hauser.

San Antonio Spurs

• Described as being “out” on Giannis talk. Needs shooting, with Kispert or Sam Hauser mentioned.

Pistons

• Seeking more shooting, maybe a secondary ball-handler.
• Trade ideas: Paul Reed & picks for Kispert, or Najee Marshall as a playoff rotation player.

Bucks as Buyers

• Milwaukee could try to make a dramatic addition to convince Giannis to stay.
• Names floated: Michael Porter Jr., Zach LaVine, James Harden, Norm Powell, Kyle Kuzma.

“They’re going to have to get a flawed guy on a contract his team doesn’t want anymore.” — Zach (32:01)

Timestamps

• [22:00–28:00] Rockets, Spurs, Pistons needs and potential moves.
• [29:29] Detroit’s quiet “fit” issues and how they need another big shot maker.
• [31:11] Wos: “Porter Jr. is way better to have than Kyle Kuzma…”

4. Giannis Saga: The Latest, and What Teams Might Do

• The possibility of an in-season Giannis trade is “not closed,” but the likelihood remains low until the summer.
• Miami, Atlanta, Toronto seen as plausible suitors, but packages would be difficult to assemble.

“Giannis is Giannis. Like, they’re going to get a lot for Giannis whenever they trade for him.”
— Zach (37:00)

Timestamps

• [36:25] Wos: “The longer this goes, the worse the return is going to be, period.”

5. Other Teams and Names to Watch

Clippers

• If their season falls apart, they should consider recouping assets rather than just riding it out.

Minnesota Timberwolves

• Under-the-radar and climbing. Might need another ball handler with Mike Conley’s declining health.
• Targets mentioned: Kobe White, Ayo Dosunmu, Collin Sexton.

Dallas Mavericks

• Could use more playmaking.
• AD (Anthony Davis) as a potential candidate—fit with Pistons debated.

Wild Cards

• Jaren Jackson Jr. (if made available, would shake up the market)
• Keon Ellis, Toronto's Jakob Poeltl contracts as curiosities.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Ja Morant vs. Other Unhappy Guards:

  “Having your worst season ever at age 26 is a gigantic red flag…that’s the size of the Ja Morant season, the red flag of his season. But for me, Ja’s the one person that I still believe in in that trio.”
  — Wos (41:33)

• On Giannis’ "Branding" Around a Trade Request:

  “It’s a trade request in conjunction with a branding exercise…he’s trying to PR and market it as something different is going on…”
  — Wos (63:51)

• On Team Chemistry and Playoff Potential:

  “What the hell are we playing for? What are we here for? What are you going to the NBA for?”
  — Jalen Duren on aiming for the Finals (115:58)

In-Depth Player Interviews

Alperen Sengun (Houston Rockets)

• Reflects on tough playoff loss (“Buddy Hield beat us in that game seven”), playoff toughness (“I never back down from anybody”), and adapting to NBA defense.
• Shares experience coming to the U.S. with little English, learning on the fly, and how his girlfriend helped him pick up the language.
• Discusses being empowered as a ball handler and playmaker due to VanVleet’s injury, ranking top-10 in isolation possessions among all NBA players.
• Reveals how coach Udoka’s defensive demands improved his game:

  “First two years of mine, I don’t think we had a real, like, game plan… But since Ime [Udoka] came…he was just like, I want you to do like this, do like this, you know.”
  — Sengun (80:33)

• Timestamps:
  • [69:44] Interview begins.
  • [72:46] On playoff series with Draymond & Warriors.
  • [76:13] On language challenges.
  • [82:48] On becoming a point-center, handling the ball.

Jalen Duren (Detroit Pistons)

• Describes the Pistons' leap from bottom-dwellers to 21–5, credits off-court bonding trips (including a “vision quest” in Colorado) with Cade Cunningham for building chemistry.
• Discusses All-Star aspirations, locker-room culture, and how losing 27 straight games two years ago built today’s team resilience.
• Talks about on-court evolution: improved decision-making, defensive versatility, and what “hand to rim” means as a coaching mantra.
• Emphasizes the goal:

  “What the hell are we playing for?…That’s what we’re here to do.”
  — Duren (115:58)

• Timestamps:
  • [93:27] Interview begins.
  • [99:44] On contract talks and betting on himself.
  • [107:43] On team intensity, Isaiah Stewart, and defense.

Timestamps for Other Key Segments

• Jeopardy! Moment: [03:21] Zach recounts being an answer on Jeopardy! (show still referred to as "The Lowe Post," to his chagrin).
• On NBA Cup Reactions: [14:48–19:03] Debunking Knicks' “celebration shame.”
• Trade Candidates Deep Dive: [20:20–56:00] Full rundown of under-the-radar moves.

Episode Tone & Style

• The episode is analytical yet conversational—dense with inside-baseball details, tough-love assessments, and the humor of passionate NBA lifers.
• Quotes are candid and sometimes expletive-laden (“You’re not the f—— 2002 Lakers, bro.”).
• Sengun and Duren interviews are warm, insightful, sprinkled with personal anecdotes and locker-room stories.

Takeaways

• This episode is a goldmine for fans tracking midseason team pivots, secondary player movement, and the continuous re-tooling of fringe contenders.
• The interviews with Sengun and Duren blend Xs & Os with stories of personal growth and team building.
• For teams not already headlining trade rumors (Rockets, Pistons, Spurs, Wolves, etc.), there are opportunities to tweak and improve—sometimes the move that shifts the playoff landscape isn’t the one ESPN’s talking about.

For in-depth trade rumor context, playoff hopeful team analysis, and two of the NBA’s brightest young bigs reflecting on their climbs, this episode is a must-listen for devoted hoops fans.