Locked On NBA – Daily Podcast On The National Basketball Association

Los Angeles Clippers hit with a modern-day NBA “death sentence” as cap circumvention penalties strip away five first-round picks and sideline owner Steve Ballmer for a year. Is the Clippers curse back in full force—and what future is left after losing a decade’s worth of assets for just one Western Conference Finals run?

Tony East and Nick Angstadt dissect every angle, from the severe punishment's impact on franchise direction, to Kawhi Leonard’s shockingly light $700,000 fine, and Uncle Dennis’s five-year ban. The hosts break down the ripple effects on Darius Garland, Brandon Ingram, and the Clippers’ rebuild strategies, while questioning whether Adam Silver’s harsh response sets a new precedent for the league’s richest owners. Will other NBA teams dare risk similar violations, or does this hammer drop signal a new era of enforcement?

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Which NBA team would most like an offseason do-over? Wes Goldberg, Matt Moore and Haize look back at the biggest trades, signings and draft decisions of the summer and each pick ONE move they’d erase and try again.

Then, is Chet Holmgren the biggest X-factor in the Western Conference? After Oklahoma City’s loss to San Antonio in the Western Conference Finals exposed some issues for Chet, the guys debate whether it was simply one bad matchup or evidence that Holmgren needs to evolve. What does OKC need from him to get past the Spurs and return to the NBA Finals?

Finally, it’s peak offseason content again: Wes, Matt and Haize build their Mount Rushmore of NBA coaches and executives — past or present — they’d most want to have a beer with.

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Eastern Conference race wide open as Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors emerge as this season’s potential shock contenders. Could Kawhi Leonard’s return to Toronto alongside Scottie Barnes push the Raptors back into elite territory? The hosts break down why the Hawks, with new defensive stoppers like Lu Dort and scorers including CJ McCollum, might have all the ingredients for a surprise playoff run—even if top-tier star power seems in short supply.

Over in the Western Conference, Denver Nuggets look to silence doubters despite criticism of their depth, as Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray anchor a lineup hoping for a healthy Aaron Gordon and a bounce-back from Christian Braun. The Minnesota Timberwolves also make a case for a breakthrough behind Anthony Edwards and newly acquired LaMelo Ball. Plus, a spirited debate: With league parity at an all-time high, could as many as 11 Eastern teams realistically claim Finals aspirations?

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College football Saturdays are already packed with reasons to get excited, and this season, FanDuel is giving fans even more ways to get in on every matchup. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM 

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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Do you still need a top-five NBA player to win a championship? Recent champions have challenged one of the league’s oldest team-building rules, and Wes Goldberg, Matt Moore and Haize debate whether having an elite superstar is still the best path to a title — or whether teams are better off building deeper, more balanced rosters around stars such as Jalen Brunson and Jayson Tatum.

Then, should the Indiana Pacers regret trading for Ivica Zubac? The guys revisit the massive deadline deal now that Indiana lost its 2026 first-round pick and debate whether judging the trade by what that pick became is fair.

Finally, we reach peak offseason content: Which NBA players, past or present, belong on the Mount Rushmore of guys you’d most want to have a beer with?

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College football Saturdays are already packed with reasons to get excited, and this season, FanDuel is giving fans even more ways to get in on every matchup. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM 

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 today's Locked On NBA we discuss Jonathan Kuminga, Aaron Turner, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Golden State Warriors, the Atlanta Hawks, LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Rudy Gobert, Ayo Dosunmu, Bones Hyland, Terrence Shannon Jr., Joan Beringer, Cody Williams, Chris Finch, NBA free agency, and NBA contract negotiations.

Nick Angstadt (@NickVanExit, Locked On Mavs) & Camille Davis (@CamilleMonae, Locked On Bucks)

 break down Jonathan Kuminga's new two-year deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves and the media tour by his agent, Aaron Turner, defending the decision. The hosts unpack why Kuminga turned down a three-year, $75 million offer from the Golden State Warriors and examine the fallout from his stints in Golden State and Atlanta. They dig into how Kuminga fits alongside LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, and Rudy Gobert in Minnesota's new starting lineup, questioning the team's depth and defensive matchups. The conversation turns to Count It Up, where Jason Kidd's comments on the 2011 NBA Finals draw scrutiny from Mavericks fans and more.

0:00 Kuminga's Agent Saving Face?

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College football Saturdays are already packed with reasons to get excited, and this season, FanDuel is giving fans even more ways to get in on every matchup. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM 

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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Are the Philadelphia 76ers the biggest threat to the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference? Wes Goldberg, Matt Moore and Haize debate reasonable expectations for a loaded Sixers team featuring LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. Is an Eastern Conference Finals appearance the baseline — or are we overlooking major questions about how all these pieces fit?

Then, could the key to unlocking Philadelphia be turning 41-year-old LeBron into a full-time point guard? The guys discuss whether LeBron could average double-digit assists while allowing Maxey and Brown to handle more of the scoring load.

Finally, are we sleeping on the Denver Nuggets? Ryan Blackburn argues Denver still has one of the NBA’s most talented and well-rounded starting fives, and Matt and Haize debate whether the Nuggets have become underrated.

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On this edition of Locked On NBA Game Night, Danny Cunningham (Locked On Cavs) and Swipa (Locked On Nuggets) Debate who the five best players in the Western Conference are entering this season. The guys discuss the cases to be made for Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, Luka Doncic and more. Next, the duo talks about which five players they think will be regarded as the best players in the West at the end of this season.

Image Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

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On today’s Locked On NBA we discuss the NBA Futures Draft, Brooklyn Nets, Portland Trail Blazers, Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Victor Wembanyama, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Walker Kessler, Deni Avdija, Tomani Camara, Donovan Clingan, Julius Randle, Ja Morant, Scoot Henderson, Devin Booker, Darius Garland, Kawhi Leonard, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, Sabonis, and Zach LaVine.

Gavin Schall and Ku Khahil open by recapping their regrets and surprises from the NBA Futures Draft, including reflections on picking the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Lakers. The hosts analyze why the Brooklyn Nets’ flexibility and draft assets give them hope for the future, then dive into the Portland Trail Blazers’ intriguing mix of young talent and veteran players like Deni Avdija, Tamani Camara, Donovan Clingan, and an overlooked Ja Morant. The conversation shifts to the Phoenix Suns and their long-term outlook with Devin Booker at the helm despite salary cap challenges. They debate the Milwaukee Bucks’ future, including the potential around young prospects like Kel'el Ware and the loss of key draft picks. The episode also examines the murky outlooks for the Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans and Zion Williamson, Golden State Warriors, and the bleak long-term picture for the Sacramento Kings with Sabonis and Zach LaVine. Throughout, the hosts provide thoughtful team-building analysis, breakdown future NBA star potential, and discuss the ripple effects of front office decisions on franchise trajectories.

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Will the Indiana Pacers make it back to the Eastern Conference Finals? Is Tyrese Haliburton still a top 5 player in the Eastern Conference? Will he be by the end of this season? 

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast. 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) Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-nba Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/leagues/nba Follow the Locked On Podcast Network Twitter 📲 https://twitter.com/LockedOnNetwork TikTok 📲 https://www.tiktok.com/@lockedonsports Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! | Offers: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/offers/ #NBA #Basketball #Podcast #NBAPodcast #Sports #SportsPodcast

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What does an elite NBA defense look like in 2026? Wes Goldberg, Matt Moore and Haize break down the trends shaping modern defense and what last season’s best units can teach us about where the league is headed.

Are versatility and switchability still king? How important is rim protection? And with offenses getting more sophisticated, which defensive strategies are actually working? Then the guys make their predictions for which teams have the best chance to finish No. 1 in defensive rating this season.

Finally, it’s back to the Rotation Lab for one of the NBA’s most fascinating young teams: the Washington Wizards. With Trae Young and Anthony Davis entering their first full season together and No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa joining the mix, how should Washington build its rotation — and can this group make a major leap?

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