The Mismatch

Verno and KOC discuss who did and didn’t get contract extensions as NBA rosters are now set for the start of the season (01:59). Then, the guys discuss KOC’s latest article on The Ringer, a profile on 76ers GM Daryl Morey (20:58). The NBA returns Tuesday, and the guys are ready to give you their semi-bold predictions for the year (38:40). You can find KOC’s article here: Daryl Morey Changed the Ga...

Vernon and KOC begin the show discussing reports that the Lakers are planning on moving Russell Westbrook to the bench for their final preseason game (01:58). Could this bring out the best of Russ on the Lakers? Next, the guys answer 10 questions about the upcoming NBA season (11:53). Some of the questions explored: Which team could push for 60 wins? Which team are you least likely to watch? Which...

Verno and KOC discuss the only potential flaw for Victor Wembanyama, before discussing Nikola Jovic’s near-perfect pairing with the Heat, and the latest going on with Jae Crowder (01:38). With the NBA starting up next week, the guys each pick five players they are most interested in going into the season (16:41). Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Producer: Jessie Lopez Learn more about your a...

Verno and KOC return and are joined by TNT’s Adam Lefkoe. They discuss KOC’s trip to Las Vegas to watch top prospects Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson (01:44). Everyone gushes about Wembanyama’s skillset, but Henderson’s star potential is also can’t-miss. Next, the guys dive into the video of Draymond Green punching Jordan Poole (24:46). They discuss what the leaked video means for Dray, Pool...

Verno and KOC begin the show by discussing the 76ers after KOC attended their media day (01:35). He shares his excitement to see a full season of Joel Embiid and James Harden playing together, and Verno asks if this is the year Embiid becomes the best player in the league. The guys move on to teams that are carrying the most drama right now in the Suns, Nets, and Celtics (10:54). They debate if th...

Before starting today’s show, Verno and KOC share memories of our friend and colleague Jonathan Tjarks, who passed away over the weekend due to cancer (01:30). Then Kevin and Chris answer your mailbag questions. Topics include the Magic’s future, which player on the Grizzlies will make the biggest jump, and tips to staying young (16:33). You can donate to the Tjarks family here: https://www.gofund...

Verno and KOC give their first reaction to the Cavs’ trade for Donovan Mitchell (01:07). Can Cleveland take the next step to compete for a championship with Mitchell? They also look at the deal from the Jazz’s perspective (15:30). Even though Utah is set up for a “tank-tastic” season, Danny Ainge has primed the franchise for future success. After some offseason trouble, Montrezl Harrell signed wit...

Verno and KOC discuss the Knicks signing R.J. Barrett to a four-year extension and what this means for Donovan Mitchell (00:58). The Wizards are being mentioned as a possibility for Mitchell, but the guys don’t believe he’s a fit next to Bradley Beal (09:51). The fellas go into your mailbag questions next (24:00), with topics including the Pelicans, national vs. domestic MVPs, and Tyrese Haliburto...

Verno and KOC discuss the latest trade in the NBA as Patrick Beverly makes his way back to Los Angeles, but this time he’ll join LeBron James and the Lakers (01:05). Could this be the first step in the Lakers' attempt to move Russell Westbrook? The Thunder’s Chet Holmgren injured his foot in a pro-am game and will now miss the entire 2022-23 season, and the guys discuss how players with bodies lik...

Verno and KOC return as they discuss Kevin Durant backtracking his trade request to remain with the Nets (01:14). Verno shares what he believes to be the turning point on KD changing his mind (07:40). Now that KD has decided to stay, the guys debate how the Nets will look this season (24:55). Is it possible KD asks for another trade? Or would the Nets explore moving any other players? Also, why th...

Verno and KOC open the show by sharing their memories of NBA legend Bill Russell, who passed away over the weekend (01:02). As more charges of tampering continue in the NBA, the guys wonder if it’s time for the NBA to consider how they handle these charges (09:12). The guys open up the mailbag to answer your questions (15:12). Some of the topics they discuss include Zion Williamson’s impact, the b...

Verno and KOC discuss whether the Celtics should go for it all and trade for Kevin Durant (03:25). As the guys debate what it would take for the Celtics to get KD, KOC points out that Brad Stevens has not been afraid to make trades. They debate whether a Jason Tatum–KD duo will be enough to put the Celtics over the top before discussing whether KD got a pass in last year’s playoffs after the Nets...

Verno and KOC congratulate the Blazers for winning this year’s summer league tournament before discussing the top performers (02:00). The guys debate how many interesting teams there really are in the league right now before discussing whether the Raptors would be a possible destination for Kevin Durant (17:26). It has been reported that James Harden will return to the 76ers on a discounted rate a...

Verno and KOC are back home as they discuss the Suns matching the Pacers' offer sheet for Deandre Ayton (01:30). While it’s been extremely quiet with Kevin Durant, Verno points out why it truly is only a matter of time before he is traded (13:21). The guys also discuss what it's going to take for the Knicks to acquire Donovan Mitchell (22:39). Despite the obvious flaws in a Mitchell-Jalen Brunson...

Verno and KOC report from Las Vegas one last time, as they discuss the latest news on Deandre Ayton before going into James Wiseman’s Summer League debut and how good the young Warriors looked (01:03). Paolo Banchero has been one of the most talked about players in Summer League because of his play and his unexpected size when seeing him up close (13:08). They also discuss the strange comments mad...

Hey, it's Kevin; thank you for listening to The Void. Today’s guests are The Ringer’s own J. Kyle Mann and Jonathan Tjarks from Upside High. We are all about the NBA Summer League as we discuss the performances of Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith Jr., and more. Here are today’s time-stamps: (02:14) - On Paolo Banchero (09:16) - The Magic's roster and how it fits with Paolo (14:55) - Jab...

Verno and KOC are live from Las Vegas for the NBA summer league as they recap the debut of Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, and others (01:05). They also discuss the unfairness of players like Josh Giddey and Paul Reed playing in the summer league. Verno mentions seeing Otto Porter in Vegas, which leads to a conversation about speeding tickets (15:13). While discussing Isiah Stewart, the guys take a...

After the initial wave of signings, free agency has hit a stall as Verno and KOC discuss how the league is waiting for Kevin Durant to get traded (01:17). The T-Wolves traded for Rudy Gobert over the weekend, and Verno shares why he doesn’t like the trade for the Jazz while KOC defends the move and shares why Gobert will flourish in Minnesota (10:15). Staying with the Jazz, the guys discuss how Da...

Kevin Durant ruined all of free agency, so Verno and KOC open up the show by going through the potential teams that can put together the historical package for KD that the Nets are asking for (00:54). Despite KD putting the league on hold, the guys go over some of the deals that were completed yesterday (21:08). The guys debate the Thunder’s decision to give Lu Dort close to a $90 million contract...

Hey, it’s Kevin! Thank you for listening to 'The Void.' With the news of Jalen Brunson possibly leaving the Mavs for the Knicks, I bring on Marc Stein to help break down all the implications from both sides. You can subscribe to Marc’s Substack by using the link below. Here are today’s timestamps: (03:30) - How much of a blunder is this for the Mavs? (05:18) - Why Jalen Brunson is worth the money...

Verno and KOC return to give their reaction to how the NBA draft shook out (01:20). With free agency starting up this week, the guys dive into the hottest stories leading into Thursday (13:02). They discuss the Nets drama, where Deandre Ayton will go, John Wall to the Clippers, and more. While Russell Westbrook and Draymond Green calling out Skip Bayless is fun for Twitter, the guys hope Dray evol...

Hey, it's Kevin! Thank you for listening to 'The Void'. Today The Ringer's Logan Murdock is joining the show to discuss some of our takeaways from the draft and then look ahead to the NBA offseason, which will be ramping up next week. For a full draft analysis, check out my grades in my Draft Guide (link below) or listen to Thursday's 'Bill Simmons Podcast'. Here are today's timestamps: (03:35) -...

With the draft just days away, Verno and KOC discuss whether the top of the order is set in stone, or if we should expect moves to be made (00:56). Anything can happen in the draft, as KOC mentions some names we could see on new teams next season (10:00). The guys discuss how teams use numbers to scout players, and potential low-risk, high-reward prospects (20:07). Finally, they go through Dyson D...

Hey it’s Kevin, on today’s podcast I spoke with The Ringer’s resident Magic fans, Kevin Clark and Steve Ceruti. With the draft less than a week away, we’re diving deep into the Orlando Magic and their future. The fit for all the options at no. 1, the roster structure, and why the Magic’s narrative will soon change. We get into this and so much more. (04:31) - Who Ceruti and Clark would choose no....

Congratulations to the Golden State Warriors for beating the Boston Celtics and winning the NBA championship! Verno and KOC give their first reactions to the Warriors winning their fourth title in eight years (01:21). Even though Boston reached the Finals, KOC believes the Celtics are still ahead of schedule because of how young the core of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are (14:45). Verno also poi...