The Ringer NBA Show

With the start of free agency right around the corner, everyone is wondering where some of the league’s biggest stars will end up (3:55). Plus: Draft additions make a handful of young teams (hint: one of the teams has Zion Williamson on it) instantly exciting to watch (34:06). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Dan Devine, Danny Chau Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We break down the teams with the biggest draft hauls from Thursday night: the Pelicans, Hawks, and Grizzlies—who all seem to have gotten the exact guys they wanted in Zion Williamson, DeAndre Hunter, and Ja Morant, respectively. Then, we speed through recapping the rest of the lottery picks, including the biggest surprise in Cam Johnson going 11th and the awkward fit between Darius Garland and Col...

The Jazz are putting their chips in the center of the table, trading for an expensive, sure-handed star in Mike Conley—will it pay off in a wide-open Western Conference (1:00)? Plus, we break down all the reporting, theories, and future fallout in Houston after an explosive report of discord between James Harden and Chris Paul came out earlier this week. Should the Rockets do what they can to get...

Kawhi Leonard led the Toronto Raptors to the first championship in franchise history, but will he re-sign with them (1:46)? The Anthony Davis trade shifts the landscape of the offseason, including raising questions about the fate of the no. 4 pick in the upcoming draft (10:38). Plus: Verno’s annual list of draft picks who will not fail (34:41). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about...

The blockbuster Anthony Davis trade kicks off a sure-to-be-dramatic offseason (3:57) as the now-imminent NBA draft shifts into focus (46:56). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Joe House, Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers and Pelicans wasted no time in kicking off a game of offseason musical chairs in the NBA. What does Davis in L.A. this early in the offseason mean for the rest of 2019 free agency? Plus, does this make the Lakers title favorites, or do they have a lot more work to do? Hosts: Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a thrilling Game 6 of the NBA Finals, the Toronto Raptors defeat the Golden State Warriors to win their first championship in franchise history. Host: John Gonzalez Guest: Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We briefly preview what the Warriors have to do to make up for the loss of Kevin Durant for the remainder of the Finals (more Boogie?) (1:30). Then, we run through each big-market team with cap space and wonder whether KD’s injury has dramatically affected their offseason plans (31:32). Hosts: Chris Ryan, Justin Verrier, and Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.co...

Game 5 of the NBA Finals was headlined by Kevin Durant’s league-shaking Achilles injury and punctuated by an unusual number of bizarre moments (4:39). Plus: Teams around the league prepare for movement in the fast-approaching NBA draft (41:33), and the Memphis Grizzlies hire Taylor Jenkins as their new head coach (56:26). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

Kevin Durant suffers an Achilles injury in his first game back, but the Golden State Warriors manage to pull out a win against the Toronto Raptors in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Host: John Gonzalez Guest: Chris Ryan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Toronto Raptors push ahead to a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals after defeating the Golden State Warriors in dominant fashion. Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Dan Devine, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We review Steph Curry’s hero ball Game 3 of the NBA Finals—an interesting reversal of some past Golden State games against LeBron (1:32). Then, we pivot to talking about the teams that have multiple first-round picks in the upcoming NBA draft, and what the best plan of action is to capitalize on those picks (16:53). Hosts: Danny Chau and Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podc...

A well-rounded Game 3 performance by the Toronto Raptors wins them back home-court advantage from the shorthanded Golden State Warriors despite a transcendent performance from Stephen Curry. Host: John Gonzalez Guest: Dan Devine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We briefly survey the NBA Finals as it stands, tied 1-1 (2:00), before diving into swirling rumors about Kyrie Irving to the Nets or Lakers, Anthony Davis to anyone who will open their wallet, D’Angelo Russell to a mid-level franchise, and more (34:00). Hosts: Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The undermanned Golden State Warriors managed to take Game 2 from the Raptors in Toronto; as the series shifts to Oakland, will they be able to replicate that success (0:51)? Plus: With the draft approaching in two weeks’ time, which sleepers could rise above the fray (38:54)? Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Golden State Warriors win Game 2 of the Finals in impressive fashion, overcoming various injuries and ailments to their stars by locking up the Toronto Raptors with stellar defense. Host: John Gonzalez Guest: Dan Devine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We briefly go over Thursday night’s NBA Finals Game 1 and look forward to what adjustments the Warriors can make in the face of a 1-0 deficit (1:46). Then, we hand out awards to the draft prospects who most closely mirror the roles that Finals participants like Pascal Siakam and Andre Iguodala are filling for their teams (15:00). Hosts: Kevin O’Connor and Danny Chau Learn more about your ad choice...

Pascal Siakam dominates Game 1 of the Finals, leading the Toronto Raptors to a solid victory over the Kevin Durant–less Golden State Warriors despite a poor shooting night from Kawhi Leonard. Host: John Gonzalez Guest: Dan Devine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We sit down ahead of the NBA Finals to go through some of the news that has broken between the end of the Eastern Conference Finals and now. First, do the Rockets need to hit the reset button on their core if they want to win the title (2:45)? Then, the deluge of Lakers turmoil seems to be never ending, but will it ultimately trickle off if they go star-hunting this offseason (22:00)? Finally, we...

The Toronto Raptors advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. How will they match up against the defending champs Golden State Warriors (0:44)? Plus: How will the outcome of this series affect free agency, if at all (40:18)? Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the NBA Finals still on hold, we convene our NBA draft experts to open up the mailbag and answer some of your pressing questions about the top prospects as we approach the 2019 NBA draft. From Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett to Ty Jerome and Matisse Thybulle, we break down our thoughts on top prospects and role players who might be available for late-round steals. Hosts: Kevin O’Connor, Jonath...

Kawhi Leonard had one of the best games of his career en route to a surprising Game 5 road win over one of the best teams in the NBA. Will Mike Budenholzer have to shorten his rotation in Game 6 to avoid getting eliminated (1:30)? Plus, we react to the All-NBA team announcements and the potential salary cap implications for some of the league’s biggest stars in Kemba Walker, Damian Lillard, and Kl...

Despite Kawhi Leonard’s lingering quadricep injury, his stellar defense and the Toronto Raptors’ overall adjustments prove successful against the Milwaukee Bucks for the second game in a row as they tie the series (1:25). Plus: Rumors say Kevin Durant could sign with the Los Angeles Clippers in the offseason (23:41) while the New Orleans Pelicans navigate the happy dilemma of pairing Anthony Davis...

The Golden State Warriors are headed to their fifth straight NBA Finals after sweeping the Portland Trail Blazers despite Kevin Durant out with an injury (0:48). Plus: belated reactions to the NBA draft lottery (43:09) and critical reactions to Magic Johnson’s recent comments on the Los Angeles Lakers (51:18). Hosts: Chris Vernon, Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoic...

Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors take advantage of an off-night from Giannis Antetokounmpo to edge out a double-OT win against the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 3 (3:12), while the Portland Trail Blazers fall behind 3-0 to the still-dominant Golden State Warriors (28:10). Plus: The Duffel Bag Boys weigh in on the NBA draft lottery order (38:34). Host: John Gonzalez Guests: Mark Titus, Tate Frazier...