Is Expansion Good for the NBA? Plus, Kevin Durant Voices His Frustrations | Real Ones

Logan Murdock and Howard Beck are back with another edition of Real Ones and dive right into the NBA's desire to expand with two new teams, with a possible return to Seattle and a fresh start in Las Vegas. Is this good for the league in the current climate given the problems with tanking, the style of play, and gambling? Plus, the Rockets fell to the Lakers on Monday night, after which Kevin Durant voiced his frustration with the outcome. Where do the Rockets stand as contenders with the season coming to a close? (3:30) NBA Seeking Expansion to Seattle and Las Vegas (5:33) Is Expansion Good for the League? (24:15) What Is Adam Silver’s Current Reputation? (39:14) Kevin Durant Voices Frustration After Rockets Fall to the Lakers (55:24) [email protected] Hit the mailbag! [email protected] https://www.theringer.com/2026/02/18/nba/adam-silver-nba-tanking-scandal-gambling-all-star-weekend https://www.theringer.com/2026/01/15/nba/nba-tanking-draft-picks-tankathon-76ers-thunder-adam-silver https://www.theringer.com/2026/03/17/nba/kevin-durant-nba-scoring-list-michael-jordan-legacy-twitter The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out rg-help.com to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Hosts: Logan Murdock and Howard Beck Producers: Stefano Sanchez and Clifford Augustin Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and J. Kyle Mann start with their reactions to the news of NBA expansion to Seattle and Las Vegas almost becoming a reality. Then they get into our yearly March Madness primer. The guys take a look at the top prospects playing in the tournament this year, then Kyle talks about a few other guys to keep an eye on who could get picked in the first round.(00:00) Intro(6:08) Expansion news(16:02) March Madness primer(25:13) Darryn Peterson(37:34) Cam Boozer(44:18) AJ Dybantsa(54:42) Caleb Wilson(56:20) Kingston Flemings(59:23) Darius Acuff Jr.(01:07:15) Keaton Wagler(01:01:44) Other guys to watch(01:13:37) Mikel Brown Jr.Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle MannProducers: Victoria Valencia, Isaiah Blakely, and Cameron DinwiddieProduction Supervision: Ben Cruz and Conor NevinsAdditional Production Support: John Richter and Chris Wohlers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Boston Celtics have lost close matches recently against the Spurs and the Thunder on their road trip, but is there some silver lining within the losses as Jayson Tatum returns? Also, should Jaylen Brown have been ejected from the game against the Spurs despite it being televised on national television? Bam Adebayo now holds the record for the second-most points scored in an NBA game, but the way he did it had NBA discourse in shambles. Fair or Foul for Bam Adebayo to be criticized for the way he got his 83 points, surpassing Kobe Bryant for second place? Plus, Real One of the Week! (02:24) Silver Lining for Celtics’ Recent Losses (19:05) Should Jaylen Brown Have Been Tossed Against the Spurs? (35:02) Discourse Surrounding Bam Adebayo’s Record-Breaking Night (01:01:43) Real One of the Week Hit the mailbag! [email protected] The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out rg-help.com to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Hosts: Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck Producers: Cameron Dinwiddie and Clifford Augustin Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and J. Kyle Mann are back together, and they are here to take a look at some of the massive stories going on in the association this week. They start with Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game against the Wizards and the discourse around his achievement. Then they talk about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander potentially locking up the MVP after his game-winning shot against the Nuggets. They also get into Victor Wembanyama leading the Spurs to wins in 16 of their past 17 games and talk about just how good they are. Last, they wrap up by discussing the Hornets and whether they are this season's Pacers. (0:00) Intro (2:53) Bam Adebayo (25:25) Fan Duel ad break (26:53) Tommy Hilfiger ad break (28:47) SGA (46:24) Wemby and the Spurs (1:04:12) Hornets Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle Mann Producers: Victoria Valencia and Isaiah Blakely Production Supervision: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Additional Production Support: John Richter and Chris Wohlers Explore more at⁠ https://tommy.com⁠ The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Mf’n Beck are back with another edition of Real Ones, and they dive right into the Thunder’s 129-126 victory over the Nuggets on Monday night. Did reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander all but guarantee himself a second MVP with his performance in this victory? How close is the MVP race with other guys like Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, and Jaylen Brown lurking? Jayson Tatum returned to the Celtics lineup over the weekend following his recovery from a torn Achilles. What does his return mean for the Celtics’ championship aspirations? Plus, the mailbag! (0:00) Intro (2:22) OKC tops Denver 129-126 in thriller (4:18) MVP race: Shai or Jokic? (29:00) Fan Duel ad break (30:14)Jayson Tatum returns (46:39) Mailbag Hit the mailbag! [email protected] Hosts: Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck Producers: Victoria Valencia and Clifford Augustin Production Supervision: Ben Cruz, Conor Nevins, and John Richter The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out rg-help.com to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s JV Day today with no Rob or J. Kyle Mann. So Justin wanted to start with the two biggest stories in the league: Jayson Tatum’s return, and the Spurs continuing to roll in the West. He’s joined by the The Athletic’s Jared Weiss, who currently covers the Spurs and used to cover the Celtics. They talk about what it was like to be at Tatum's first game, how he changes the Celtics' title chances, and much more. Then, JV is joined by Yahoo Sports and Trail Blazers Analytics insider Tom Haberstroh to talk all things Portland Trail Blazers. They discuss Scoot Henderson’s big game against the Pacers, how far can a healthy Deni Avdija take the Blazers, Donovan Clingan’s development, and much more. (00:00) Intro (4:10) Tommy Hilfiger ad break (5:16) Jayson Tatum's return (15:00) Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown's dynamic (23:28) Victor Wembanyama (37:40) The Jackals (43:22) Stephon Castle, De'Aaron Fox, and Dylan Harper (51:24) Luke Kornet (58:04) and (1:11:34) Donovan Clingan (1:00:08) Scoot Henderson (1:21:38) Shaedon Sharpe (1:30:06) Deni Avdija (1:38:51) Tiago Splitter Host: Justin Verrier Guests: Jared Weiss and Tom Haberstroh Producers: Victoria Valencia and Isaiah Blakely Production Supervision: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Additional Production Support: John Richter and Chris Wohlers Explore more at https://tommy.com Tommy Hilfiger USA | Official Online Site & Store Tommy Hilfiger USA offers modern, sophisticated styles for women and men including apparel, handbags, footwear, underwear, fragrance and home furnishings with free shipping available. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck are back with another edition of Real Ones and discuss the return of Celtics All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum. Is it too soon for him to return? Could Tatum mess up the chemistry of a Celtics team that currently holds the second spot in the East? The Charlotte Hornets have been hot since the new year with the emergence of rookie Kon Knueppel and 2023 second overall pick Brandon Miller. How tough of an out will they be for teams at the top of the conference? Plus, did Steve Kerr botch the development of Jonathan Kuminga, who's been thriving in Atlanta? (0:00) Intro (2:30) Jayson Tatum Returns (33:05) The Red-Hot Hornets (50:30) Steve Kerr's Comments on Jonathan Kuminga (1:12:39) Real One of the Week Hit the mailbag! [email protected] Hosts: Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck Producers: Victoria Valencia and Clifford Augustin Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out rg-help.com to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

No J. Kyle Mann today so Justin and Rob are joined by an old friend Big Wos! After last week’s show where the guys looked at the teams with the bleakest futures in the league this time they look at the five teams with the brightest future. (00:00) Intro (13:22) Tommy Hilfiger ad break (15:00) Thoughts on the Nuggets (22:23) New York Knicks (27:42) Boston Celtics (34:39) Jayson Tatum (37:39) Minnesota Timberwolves (44:15) Detroit Pistons (52:10) Charlotte Hornets (55:46) Indiana Pacers (1:02:34) Oklahoma City Thunder (1:07:48) San Antonio Spurs Hosts: Justin Verrier and Rob MahoneyGuest: Wosny Lambre Producers: Victoria Valencia and Isaiah Blakely Production Supervision: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Additional Production Support: John Richter and Chris Wohlers The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Explore more at https://tommy.comTommy HilfigerTommy Hilfiger USA offers modern, sophisticated styles for women and men including apparel, handbags, footwear, underwear, fragrance and home furnishings with free shipping available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck are back with another edition of Real Ones to discuss the crash outs that occurred over the weekend in the NBA world. Did Lu Dort’s flagrant on Nikola Jokic warrant an ejection? Are the Thunder entering their villain era? The guys also compare Jaylen Brown’s MVP case to Victor Wembanyama’s. (0:00) Intro (0:40) Jokic Crashes out on Lu Dort (17:03) Thunder entering their villain era? (30:59) Western Conference hierarchy (34:57) FanDuel Adbreak (36:12) Rate That Crash Out (51:36) MVP case study: Jaylen Brown vs. Victor Wembanyama Hit the mailbag! [email protected] Hosts: Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck Producers: Victoria Valencia and Clifford Augustin Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out⁠ rg-help.com⁠ to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and J. Kyle Mann are here for a rookie class check-in. They go through the top rookies and provide some updated comparisons for each of them. They wrap up with some more under-the-radar rookies  they've liked watching as well. (0:00) Intro (5:20) Cooper Flagg (17:06) Kon Knueppel (27:57) Dylan Harper (37:41) FanDuel ad break (38:53) Tommy Hilfiger ad break (39:29) V.J. Edgecombe (46:14) Ace Bailey (51:50) Tre Johnson (58:46) Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen (1:02:25) Egor Demin (1:04:59) Collin Murray-Boyles (1:07:01) Cedric Coward (1:10:40) Under-the-radar rookies Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle Mann Producers: Victoria Valencia and Isaiah Blakely Production Supervision: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Social: Isaiah Blakely and Keith Fujimoto The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Explore more at https://tommy.com Tommy Hilfiger Tommy Hilfiger USA | Official Online Site & Store Tommy Hilfiger USA offers modern, sophisticated styles for women and men including apparel, handbags, footwear, underwear, fragrance and home furnishings with free shipping available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices