The Baseline NBA Podcast

This week on the show, we break down a whirlwind of NBA news, rumors, and franchise-shaping decisions that could redefine the league landscape. We start with the blockbuster scenario of Trae Young being traded to the Washington Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, and what that move would signal for both franchises moving forward. We also dive into reports that the Memphis Grizzlies are ente...

This week on The Baseline NBA Podcast, we break down the highs and lows shaping the NBA right now — from major injuries impacting contenders to historic performances that continue to redefine greatness. First , as injuries take center stage around the league. Jalen Suggs suffers a Grade 1 MCL contusion and is out indefinitely, while Jonas Valančiūnas is sidelined with a right calf strain and will...

The new year brings new priorities across the NBA, and we kick things off by laying out our 2025 NBA New Year’s Resolutions — bold calls on teams and stars at pivotal crossroads, from roster resets and superstar futures to the mindset shifts we want to see from the league’s top talent. Then, ESPN NBA analyst Kevin Pelton joins the show for an in-depth breakdown of the NBA’s renewed anti-tanking pu...

🎙️ Former NBA Vet Anthony Marrow Joins The Baseline NBA Podcast 🏀 This week on The Baseline NBA Podcast, we’re bringing in a special guest with real league experience — Anthony Marrow, a 10-year NBA veteran and co-host of the Charlotte On The Scene Podcast. Anthony jumps on the mic to give fans an inside-the-league perspective you won’t hear anywhere else. We kick things off with our NBA Christma...

This week, we preview the Emirates NBA Cup matchup between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks, breaking down key matchups, X-factors, and what’s at stake as both teams look to make a statement. Then we nerd out on “Did You Know?” NBA stats, highlighting some of the most uncanny, unexpected, and eye-opening numbers from around the league this season.  From surprising efficiency to bizarre tr...

The Baseline is in full effect, breaking down two of the league’s marquee franchises and their surprising starts: the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics. Cal Lee and Warren Shaw open the show by talking about how the NBA’s new media landscape feels more like podcasting than traditional TV – then lock in on the hoop. From there, they unpack why the Lakers sit near the top of the West, how Lu...

In this week’s episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we welcome Paul Landono, Associate Producer of Drink Champs Sports, to break down the Miami Heat’s surprising early-season success. We dive into what’s driving Miami’s hot start, whether their formula is sustainable, and how the team continues to evolve behind the pillars of Heat Culture. Landono gives his insight on Bam Adebayo’s two-way leap, T...

The NBA never sleeps — and this week on The Baseline, we’re diving into everything from on-court tension to early-season truth serum. Cal, Warren, and special guest Jabari Davis break down the escalating verbal battle between Ja Morant and Klay Thompson, what it really says about respect, reputation, and the culture within today’s NBA, and why this moment hits deeper than typical trash talk. Then...

In this week’s episode, we dive into the Western Conference’s most troubled teams — four franchises that are far off the pace in the 2025–26 NBA season: New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, LA Clippers, and Dallas Mavericks. New Orleans Pelicans  has stumbled out of the gate with a 2–10 start, the worst record in the West so far. Their offense ranks near the bottom of the league at just 108.8 p...

Join us for a special edition of FaceTime with The Baseline featuring best-selling author and cultural commentator Shea Serrano. Hosted by co-host Warren Shaw, this episode dives into Serrano’s latest book, Expensive Basketball, a captivating exploration of basketball’s unquantifiable magic beyond the box-score. Shea opens up about his journey — from middle-school science teacher to four-time New...

In this week’s episode of The Baseline, we hit the court running with News and Notes, as Trae Young goes down with a sprained MCL expected to sideline him for four weeks and Ja Morant headlines a dramatic start to the 2025-26 NBA season. Then, in our featured segment “Impress Me,” we spotlight the teams and players making noise early — the Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers, and San Antonio Spurs h...

We break down the shocking details behind the FBI’s Operation Nothing But Bet and Operation Royal Flush, a gambling scandal shaking the NBA to its core. With over 30 arrests tied to organized crime, insider betting, and underground poker rings involving figures like Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier, and Damon Jones, this case has rewritten the conversation around integrity in professional basketball...

It’s award season on The Baseline Podcast! Cal, Shaw, and special guest Jabari Davis break down their 2025-26 NBA Award predictions — from Rookie of the Year to MVP — and debut a few exclusive Baseline Awards you won’t hear anywhere else. 🏆 Official NBA Award Picks: Rookie of the Year: Cal – Cooper Flagg | Shaw – Ace Bailey | Jabari – Cooper Flagg Most Improved Player: Cal – Amen Thompson | Shaw...

The Western Conference is as unpredictable as ever — and The Baseline NBA Podcast is breaking it ALL down. In this episode, Cal Lee and Warren Shaw go team by team through their 2025–26 NBA Western Conference Preview — ranking every squad, debating roster moves, and spotlighting the players who could flip the West upside down. Key Talking Points: Zion’s make-or-break year in New Orleans Portland’s...

The East is back in the spotlight! Cal Lee and Warren Shaw return to The Baseline NBA Podcast with special guest Dan Favale of Hardwood Knocks to preview the entire 2025–26 Eastern Conference. Who’s ready to take the crown — the Knicks, Cavs, or a surprise squad like the Magic or Pistons? Which teams are built to contend, and which ones are quietly resetting for the future? In this episode, the cr...

On this week’s Baseline NBA Podcast, Warren Shaw takes us inside Miami Heat Media Day with nsights, reactions, and storylines coming out of South Beach as the Heat gear up for its most challenging season yet. Then we go Around the League with a jam-packed slate of headlines: Nikola Jokić reveals his plans to retire as a Denver Nugget — what this means for the franchise’s long-term identity.? The H...

The NBA is buzzing with controversy and big storylines. The league has launched a high-profile investigation into Kawhi Leonard and the LA Clippers, probing a reported $28 million “no-show” endorsement deal that could bring major salary cap penalties. We also break down Cam Thomas’ bold decision to sign a one-year qualifying offer with the Brooklyn Nets, setting up a critical contract year that co...

We break down which rising stars could capture their first MVP award in the next 3–5 years. From favorites like Luka Dončić, Victor Wembanyama, and Anthony Edwards, to strong contenders such as Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell, Anthony Davis, and Jayson Tatum, we evaluate their cases for becoming the face of the league. We also spotlight intriguing dark horses—Tyrese Haliburton, Cade Cunningham, Pa...

This week, we break down the players entering fresh situations with something to prove. Will their new teams and roles spark a comeback season, or are we selling the hype? Join us as we discuss who’s primed for redemption and who might be headed for disappointment. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-baseline-nba-podcast--3677698/support . Visit: https://prizep...

We sit down for some FaceTime with the Baseline featuring none other than Jordan Hinds — one of the brightest stars rising out of the college hoops scene.  CIAA 2024–2025 Player of the Year Leading Scorer in the CIAA CIAA All-Conference Selection Atlantic Region Player of the Year HBCU Division II Player of the Year Jordan chops it up with us about his unforgettable college career and takes us beh...

We’re joined by NBA cap expert Yossi Gozlan from the Third Apron Podcast to break down all the biggest trades, signings, and surprises from the NBA offseason. Who made power moves? Who overpaid? And who's quietly stacking wins? Tap in for sharp insights, salary cap breakdowns, and offseason winners and losers. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-baseline-nba-po...

Game 7. All on the line. We break down the epic NBA Finals showdown between the Indiana Pacers and OKC Thunder — clutch plays, defining moments, and what this means for both franchises going forward. 🎙️ Don’t miss our raw reactions and expert insight. #NBAFinals #Game7 #ThunderUp #Pacers Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-baseline-nba-podcast--3677698/support...

Hold. UP. NBA fans, you absolutely have to hear this! The Indiana Pacers just pulled off the impossible, forcing a decisive Game 7 in the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder! In a stunning Game 6 performance, Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton put on a clinic, denying Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams their shot at an early championship celebration. This isn't just a recap;...

In this week's episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we delve into the highly anticipated 2025 NBA Finals matchup between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. This series features two of the youngest teams in NBA history competing for the championship, showcasing a clash between the Pacers' high-octane offense and the Thunder's elite defense. We analyze the Pacers' fast-paced offensive...

In this week’s episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we dive deep into our ongoing Autopsy Report series, breaking down the shocking and unceremonious playoff exits of the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers. Once considered title contenders, both teams now face serious questions about their future with financial pressures looming and roster changes on the horizon. We analyze: What went wrong fo...