KOC's Preseason Power Rankings for 2026-27 NBA season + the latest on Jalen Duren | The Kevin O'Connor Show

We have a jam-packed episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way!First, Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones react to the Pistons and Jalen Duren finally agreeing to a new deal. From there, the guys preview the Southwest division (Spurs, Rockets, Mavericks, Pelicans, Grizzlies).On the WNBA side, the guys recap an epic Game 3 between the Aces and Fever, preview the upcoming Dream-Liberty series, then look ahead to Friday's Game 3 between the Valkyries and Wings and each team's biggest question in a potential Aces matchup.If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at [email protected]:44 -- Jalen Duren re-signs6:16 -- San Antonio Spurs22:06 -- Houston Rockets35:29 -- Dallas Mavericks42:35 -- New Orleans Pelicans47:55 -- Memphis Grizzlies55:22-- Aces-Fever01:01:57 -- Dream-Liberty preview01:24:52 -- Valkyries-Wings + look-ahead 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Kevin O’Connor and Tom Haberstroh dive into the hottest moments from NBA media day, from on-court chemistry questions, to rookie standouts to watch and surprising trends for the postseason. They react to Cooper Flagg's growth spurt, compare 3-guard lineups in OKC and San Antonio and share the latest on the Jalen Duren contract drama in Detroit.The duo also unpacks how Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball’s new pairing could unlock the Timberwolves’ offense and whether GTA 6 release week will really impact NBA player performance in November.(2:18) De'Aaron Fox talks Spurs lineups(7:12) Ant Edwards + LaMelo Ball(10:04) Evan Mobley's new 'go-to' moves(13:35) Derrick White's shooting improvements(16:06) Steven Adams GTA(21:49) Jokic signing with Nuggets next year(23:50) Cooper Flagg's height(34:55) Who is the alpha in Philly?(37:12) Kings media member caught on hot mic(41:43) Jalen Duren contract drama update(58:24) Non-top 10 rookies to watch this season 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Tom Haberstroh & Dan Devine break down the NBA offseason, spotlighting the nine star players who switched teams and what that means for the 2026-27 season. Hear how LeBron James joining the Philadelphia 76ers, Giannis Antetokounmpo landing in Miami and Kawhi Leonard’s return to Toronto are reshaping the league landscape.The episode also dives into media day reactions including contract drama with Karl-Anthony Towns and the Knicks and Jalen Duren and the Pistons. Closing out with a heartfelt farewell as this marks the final episode of The Big Number, Tom and Dan Devine share gratitude for fans and look back on some of their greatest moments and biggest bloopers.(2:03) Big Number: NBA stars moving teams this offseason(5:51) Takeaways from Knicks media day(14:44) Little Number: Toronto Raptors 3-PT shooting(19:31) Little Number: Miami Heat seconds per touch(25:10) Little Number: LeBron's career minutes (and counting!)(33:49) The Big Number says goodbye 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

We have a jam-packed episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way!First, Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones preview the NBA teams in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference.They go in-depth on the chances of the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers to make a deep run this season, discuss the exciting prospects on the Chicago Bulls roster, ask if the Milwaukee Bucks have a chip on their shoulder this season and much more!On the WNBA side, the pair go over the first games of the first round of the 2026 WNBA playoffs! They discussed the marvelous performances of A’Ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart, their most fun matchups and what adjustments teams need to make going forward.0:15 Central Division preview01:30 Pistons15:26 Pacers29:26 Bulls39:15 Bucks48:16 Aces vs. Fever takeaways & questions01:03:43 Liberty vs. Lynx takeaways & questions01:22:13 Dream vs. Mystics takeaways & questions01:28:49 Valkyries vs. Wings takeaways & questions 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Kevin O'Connor & Jonathan Macri break down the Knicks’ championship outlook, Detroit’s Jalen Duren contract standoff and the shifting power in the Eastern Conference. They highlight the Knicks' standing after Mitchell Robinson’s move to Boston, how Andre Drummond could fill in and whether Karl-Anthony Towns’ contract extension is a big deal or just business as usual.Later, they break down which teams are the biggest threats to New York, including the Pacers, Sixers and Raptors.(0:55) Jalen Duren drama continues(11:12) Karl-Anthony Towns contract stalemate(16:42) How will the Knicks replace Robinson?(21:48) Brunson & Knicks appearance on SNL(31:34) Biggest threats to the Knicks in the Eastern Conference? 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

We have a jam-packed episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way!First, Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones are joined by Justin Rowan and Carter Rodriguez (The Chase Down Podcast) for a wide-ranging conversation about the Cleveland Cavaliers. They talk about the team's perception, what's needed to make the James Harden/Donovan Mitchell partnership work, next steps for Evan Mobley, the addition of Peyton Watson and much more!On the WNBA side, the guys preview the first round of the 2026 playoffs! They discuss the matchups, key battlegrounds, potential X-Factors and schematic twists that could determine the winner of each series.If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at [email protected]:47 -- Justin & Carter join the show!56:58 -- Aces/Fever01:12:36 -- Lynx/Liberty01:22:30 -- Dream/Mystics01:30:40 -- Valkyries/Wings 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Kevin O'Connor reveals his Preseason Power Rankings for the 2026-27 NBA season, with every move, surprise and question mark across the league dissected. From the fall of Giannis’ Bucks to the upside of the young Utah Jazz, KOC shares insights into rebuilding teams, superstar trades and headline-making contract drama.Later, Tom Haberstroh joins to challenge Kevin's rankings, digging into team chemistry, roster depth and which front offices nailed or fumbled the offseason. The episode also dives into the Jalen Duren contract saga and what it means for the Detroit Pistons’ future.(1:26) Power Rankings teams 30-21(15:05) Power Rankings teams 20-11(28:50) Power Rankings teams 10-1(43:12) Rankings Tom disagrees with(1:15:40) Jalen Duren contract drama 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Kevin O’Connor welcomes YouTuber and independent sports journalist Joon Lee for a wide-ranging conversation on analytics and their impact on modern sports. Joon shares insights on why teams like the Thunder and Dodgers are ahead of the curve, and why Boston Celtics fans might be frustrated by the team's data-driven strategies.The duo also covers how to quantify clutch performance, their fantasy football philosophies, and the Patriots win against the Steelers on Sunday.(0:44) Takeover of analytics in sports(17:01) Boston Celtics shooting strategy(21:32) Potential NBA rule changes(27:34) MLB talk(37:17) Patriots beat Steelers + Fantasy Football update 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

We have a jam-packed episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way!First, Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones are joined by Jason Timpf (Hoops Tonight, The Volume) for a wide-ranging conversation about the Los Angeles Lakers. They talk through the Lakers' offseason roster overhaul, next steps for Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, what to expect from Walker Kessler, early thoughts on how the Lakers may look to defend, and much more!On the WNBA side, the guys go back and forth on their biggest questions and storylines entering the final sprint before the postseason arrives. From there, Minnesota Lynx star Natasha Howard joins the show to discuss her new book (The Vision Through My Lens: My Life in Basketball and Beyond), her basketball journey, the dominance of this year's Lynx team and more.If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at [email protected]:05 -- Jason joins the show for Lakers check-in01:07:02 -- Biggest post-World Cup questions01:15:29 -- Natasha Howard joins the show 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Kevin O'Connor & Tom Haberstroh draft the teams they believe will make the NBA Playoffs in 2026-27 from the pool of teams that missed last season. Are the Indiana Pacers a safe bet to make it with the return of Tyrese Haliburton?What can Will Hardy do with a Utah Jazz team that finally isn't tanking? And can the Washington Wizards & New Orleans Pelicans stay healthy enough to overcome their long odds?(0:47) Bad team playoff draft(1:40) KOC - #1(8:39) Tom - #2(15:46) Tom - #3(23:32) KOC - #4(32:18) KOC - #5(39:55) Tom - #6 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!