Game Theory

Sam is joined by The Athletic's Eric Nehm to discuss the Brandin Podziemski and Payton Pritchard extensions before predicting the 2026-27 NBA Awards! Can Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokic, or Luka Doncic challenge Shai for MVP? Can anyone challenge Wemby for DPOY?

(00:00) Intro

(00:40) Payton Pritchard extension

(08:55) Brandin Podziemski extension

(16:40) NBA Award voting

(21:30) MVP

(40:25) Surprise All-NBA players

(45:50) Rookie of the Year

(54:35) All Rookie Team

(57:50) Defensive Player of The Year

(1:02:15) Most Improved Player

(1:07:25) Sixth Man of the Year

(1:09:25) Coach of the Year

Sam is joined by Adam Finkelstein of CBS Sports do to the first NBA mock draft of the season!

(00:00) Intro

(09:33) 1 - Tyran Stokes

(19:40) 2 - Stefan Joksimovic

(25:00) 3 - Jordan Smith Jr.

(31:50) 4 - Caleb Holt

(35:50) 5 - Bruce Branch III

(40:45) 6 - Anthony Thompson

(43:40) 7 - Quentin Coleman

(46:55) 8 - Ivan Kharchenkov

(49:05) 9 -Thomas Haugh

(52:35) 10 - Motiejus Krivas

(55:45) 11 - Caleb Gaskins

(1:00:25) 12 - Amari Allen

(1:02:55) 13 - JJ Andrews

(1:06:00) 14 - Patrick Ngongba

(1:08:25) 15 - Dame Sarr

(1:13:45) 16 - David Mirkovic

(1:18:45) 17 - Alijah Arenas

(1:24:30) 18 - Braylon Mullins

(1:27:20) 19 - Abdou Toure

(1:29:35) 20 - Trey McKenney

(1:32:45) 21 - Malachi Moreno

(1:34:00) 22 - Tyler Tanner

(1:37:50) 23 - Jason Crowe Jr.

(1:39:55) 24 - Austin Goosby

(1:42:00) 25 - Colben Landrew

(1:46:15) 26 - Dash Daniels

(1:49:30) 27 - Neo Avdalas

(1:51:40) 28 - Billy Richmond

(1:54:00) 29 - Hugo Yimga-Moukoura

(1:56:10) 30 - Tounde Yessoufou

(1:59:00) Honorable mentions

Sam Vecenie is joined by Jason Timpf of @HoopsTonight to go through win total over/unders for every team in the Western Conference with help from DraftKings Sportsbook. We talk Oklahoma City Thunder, the Los Angeles Lakers, Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, the Houston Rockets, whether Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball will work well together for the Minnesota Timberwolves, and more.

(00:00) INTRO
(03:50) Oklahoma City Thunder
(15:35) San Antonio Spurs
(29:35) Denver Nuggets
(39:41) Minnesota Timberwolves
(49:27) Houston Rockets
(56:20) Los Angeles Lakers
(1:06:58) Portland Trail Blazers
(1:14:05) Phoenix Suns
(1:18:05) Golden State Warriors
(1:24:30) Utah Jazz
(1:30:45) Dallas Mavericks
(1:35:44) Memphis Grizzlies
(1:39:45) Los Angeles Clippers
(1:42:20) New Orleans Pelicans
(1:51:22) Sacramento Kings
(1:56:50) RECAP

Sam is joined by The Athletic's Es Baraheni to go through win total over/unders for every team in the Eastern Conference.

(00:00) INTRO

(04:18) Knicks

(18:05) Celtics

(30:10) 76ers

(42:20) Pistons

(51:05) Cavaliers

(57:15) Raptors

(1:05:45) Heat

(1:11:00) Pacers

(1:18:25) Hawks

(1:24:50) Magic

(1:31:35) Hornets

(1:35:00) Wizards

(1:43:20) Bulls

(1:47:50) Bucks

(1:53:03) Nets

(1:59:35) RECAP

Sam is joined by Grant Liffmann of NBC Sports to discuss the ongoing contract battle between the Pistons and Jalen Duren. Then, they look ahead to some of the biggest players who could hit free agency after this season, as well as some potential trade candidates. Plus, they do a rapid-fire round covering the biggest question mark for every contender.

(00:00) Intro

(01:00) Jalen Duren saga from a front office perspective


(13:45) Brandon Ingram’s Achilles injury


(17:15) Jamal Shead’s $24M extension


(18:30) New team-building trends


(21:40) How will new draft lottery rules affect the trade deadline?


(28:15) Possible big-name future free agents


(31:40) Rudy Gobert


(34:00) Michael Porter Jr.


(42:10) Tyler Herro


(46:45) Are the Warriors big-game hunting at the deadline?


(52:40) LA Clippers


(1:02:00) Speed Round: Biggest question marks for title contenders