Locked On NBA – Daily Podcast On The National Basketball Association

NBA schedule surprises shake up opening night and Christmas Day matchups. Pistons and Celtics fans finally get a marquee slot, while LeBron James' star power overshadows Jaylen Brown’s anticipated Sixers-Celtics showdown. Will the new-look Philadelphia 76ers or the loaded Oklahoma City Thunder make a statement out of the gate?

Host Ku Khahil and John Karalis break down the league’s biggest scheduling decisions, featuring storylines like Chet Holmgren vs. Victor Wembanyama, the Warriors’ uncertain fate if Stephen Curry sits, and Kevin Durant's omission from Christmas Day action. Key topics include the impact of star-driven matchups, rising tensions between the Spurs and Knicks, and whether the NBA is missing an opportunity to spotlight its next generation of rookies. Which Christmas Day game is a bust? Why wasn’t Jaylen Brown’s return to Boston prioritized? Get all the NBA schedule insights you need right here.

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The NBA has revealed its Christmas Day and Opening Week schedules, and Wes Goldberg, Matt Moore and Haize are handing out their first reviews. Did the league get its five-game Christmas showcase right with Spurs-Knicks, Heat-Celtics, 76ers-Lakers, Thunder-Timberwolves and Nuggets-Warriors? Which teams got snubbed, which matchups should be swapped and what does the schedule tell us about which teams and stars the NBA believes matter most? Then the guys go through what they like—and don't like—about Opening Week, including earlier start times and the NBA's continued insistence on putting major East Coast audiences through late-night Warriors-Lakers games. 

Finally, it's back to the Rotation Lab to tackle the LA Clippers. Assuming Kawhi Leonard ends up in Toronto, what does the Clippers' opening-night lineup look like, how deep is their rotation and what should their goals be without Kawhi?

Everydayer Club

If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

 

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Odoo

Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.

 

FanDuel

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.

 

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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On this edition of Locked On NBA Game Night, Danny Cunningham (Locked On Cavs) and Haize (Locked On Bulls) preview the NBA’s upcoming schedule release. The guys discuss what games they need to see this season and build out their ideal slates for Opening Night, Christmas Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the NBA. 

Image Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Images Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM to play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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Which NBA star is most likely to change teams by the February trade deadline? Surprising names like Derrick White, Julius Randle, and Dejounte Murray top the list of potential difference-makers. Wes Goldberg, Matt Moore, and Haize debate which contenders—the Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, and Dallas Mavericks among them—could pull off the season’s biggest trade and how strategic timing impacts player value. 

The conversation spotlights potential shakeups for the Pelicans and Houston Rockets, and considers how front offices balance contracts, extensions, and championship windows. Plus, a deep dive into the Indiana Pacers’ revamped rotation, powered by Tyrese Halliburton, Pascal Siakam, and Ivica Zubac, explores whether Indiana can return to the NBA Finals. The hosts also pay tribute to coaching legend Don Nelson, reflecting on his legacy and impact on the modern game. Who’s poised to be the trade market’s hottest target, and which team will make the boldest move?

00:00 — Early NBA Trade Deadline Preview

13:01 — Teams Most Likely to Buy at Deadline

24:37 — Indiana Pacers Rotation Analysis

Everydayer Club

If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

 

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Odoo

Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.

 

FanDuel

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.

 

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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The NBA mourns the loss of coaching icon Don Nelson, whose trailblazing strategies with the Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, and Milwaukee Bucks shaped generations of basketball—from the birth of the point forward to empowering big men like Dirk Nowitzki. Which of Nelson's innovations most influenced the modern game, and how will teams honor his expansive legacy?

As the offseason buzz intensifies, the spotlight shifts to Ben Simmons and his push for an NBA return, with potential suitors including the Lakers, Timberwolves, Cavaliers, and Clippers. The hosts (Tony East and Swipa) debate Simmons' defensive value and fit, while Joel Embiid’s “extra motivated” offseason and renewed health spark questions about the Philadelphia 76ers’ championship ceiling. Hot takes abound on Embiid vs. Giannis, the rise of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and which stars will define the NBA’s next era.

Everydayer Club

If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

 

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Odoo

Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.

 

FanDuel

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.

 

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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