Kyrie, Simmons, and Bad Business Partners in the NBA, Plus the Pelicans’ Turnaround and Zion Optimism With Antonio Daniels

Russillo reacts to the news that Kevin Durant has requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets. Host: Ryen Russillo Producers: Kyle Crichton and Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Russillo shares his thoughts on the trade that sent Dejounte Murray to the Hawks, speculation on Karl-Anthony Towns’s next contract, and how the Pistons exited the Deandre Ayton sweepstakes (0:33). Then Ryen talks with ESPN’s Bobby Marks about the beginning of NBA free agency, how Dejounte Murray’s contract led to him being traded, James Harden declining his player option to help the 76ers bolster their roster, what the Pistons are planning to do with their cap space, the Knicks looking to give Jalen Brunson a huge contract, the future for the Nets, why the Suns should have re-signed Deandre Ayton, and more (11:09). Finally Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (44:10). Host: Ryen Russillo Guest: Bobby Marks Producers: Kyle Crichton and Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Russillo shares his thoughts on Kyrie Irving exercising his player option with the Brooklyn Nets, as well as reports of John Wall joining the Clippers for the 2023 season (0:30). Then Ryen is joined by Kevin Clark to discuss the F1 season after nine races, the intersection of NIL and college football, Arch Manning committing to Texas, and more (10:26). Finally, Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (48:05). Host: Ryen Russillo Guest: Kevin Clark Producers: Kyle Crichton and Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Russillo shares some observations from the 2022 NBA draft, including Chet Holmgren to the Thunder, the Knicks’ draft decisions, the Grizzlies trading up, and more (0:28). Then Ryen talks with Orlando Magic president of basketball ops Jeff Weltman about when and how the Magic decided to draft Paolo Banchero no. 1, how Paolo fits in with the young roster, a Jonathan Isaac update, Mo Bamba, the multiple ways cap space factors into free agency, and more (18:14). Finally Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (42:36). Host: Ryen Russillo Guest: Jeff Weltman Producers: Kyle Crichton and Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Russillo shares his thoughts on the news that Kyrie Irving and the Nets have stalled on contract negotiations (0:25), before talking about the Warriors-Grizzlies post-Finals beef and why it doesn't make a ton of sense to clap back at a team that just won a title (6:53). Then Ryen is joined by Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch to discuss joining the team midseason in 2021, the 2022 playoff series vs. the Grizzlies, team dynamics with Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, D'Angelo Russell, and Patrick Beverley, Finch's time playing and coaching in Europe, and more (20:09). Finally, Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (48:58). Host: Ryen Russillo Guest: Chris Finch Producers: Kyle Crichton and Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ryen is joined by 'The Athletic'’s Sam Vecenie for an extensive breakdown of all the major prospects in next week’s NBA draft, including where Chet Holmgren should want to land, if we’re underrating Jabari Smith Jr.’s ceiling, and more (0:32)! Then, he’s joined by the NBA’s associate VP of international basketball operations, Chris Ebersole, to talk about the influx of international talent in the league, why it's only going to keep growing, and a look at some of the best international prospects in this draft (56:12). Finally, he closes it out with some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (1:16:09). Host: Ryen Russillo Guest: Sam Vecenie and Chris Ebersole Producers: Kyle Crichton and Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Russillo shares his thoughts on the Warriors' Game 5 win over the Celtics, Boston not being able to capitalize on Steph Curry's low-scoring performance, improvements from Andrew Wiggins and Klay Thompson, the Celtics' turnover problem, and a look ahead to Game 6 (0:33). Then he talks with The Ringer's Wosny Lambre about the "approval ratings" of eight NBA players after the 2021-22 season, including Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns, Damian Lillard, Rudy Gobert, and more (15:57). Finally Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (54:14). Host: Ryen Russillo Guest: Wosny Lambre Producers: Kyle Crichton and Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ryen opens with the Celtics taking a 2-1 Finals lead, Draymond’s terrible Game 3, and the Warriors' inconsistent shot creation (0:32). Then, he chats with Pelicans executive VP of basketball operations David Griffin about the team’s drastic turnaround this season and what the future holds for Zion Williamson and the franchise (13:12). Next, Ryen talks with CNBC’s David Faber about covering these complicated financial times, how he got on TV, and his new ExxonMobil documentary (39:31). And finally, he closes it out with some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (1:17:04). Host: Ryen Russillo Guest: David Griffin and David Faber Producers: Kyle Crichton and Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Russillo shares his thoughts on the idea of shortening the NBA season, as well as the top players already playing a shortened season (0:37). Then Ryen talks with 76ers forward Georges Niang about being on the Jazz during the NBA's COVID shutdown in March 2020, figuring out how to change his game to stay in the NBA, his experience with Joel Embiid as a teammate, the Sixers-Heat playoff series, the mechanics of defending certain star players, his experiences from Warriors training camp, Finals predictions, and more (13:46). Finally Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (49:24). Host: Ryen Russillo Guest: Georges Niang Producers: Kyle Crichton and Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Russillo and Ceruti bounce some NBA Finals questions off of each other (0:26) before Ryen previews the Finals with The Athletic's Anthony Slater. They compare Steph Curry’s 2022 season to past campaigns and discuss helpful stats to understand the matchup between the Warriors and Celtics, Gary Payton II’s planned return to the Warriors, Finals picks, and more (30:51). Finally Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (1:02:48). Host: Ryen Russillo Guest: Anthony Slater Producers: Kyle Crichton and Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices