Clippers Get Hammered, Ben Simmons Is Back, and Five Questions Ahead of Next Season

Verno and Jacoby return as they discuss the NBA’s punishment on the Clippers for circumventing the salary cap with Kawhi Leonard. They then discuss Amen Thompson’s contract extension, Ben Simmons’s return to the league, and the latest with Jalen Duren. Next, the guys have five questions ahead of next season. (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch! (00:41) League slams the hammer on the Clippers for circumventing the salary cap with Kawhi Leonard (17:11) Is the Kawhi Leonard signing the worst signing ever? (21:39) Amen Thompson signs a five-year, $208 million contract extension with the Rockets (25:50) Ben Simmons is back; signs a deal with the Kings (30:00) Jalen Duren, Pistons remain apart in contract negotiations (34:31) How many teams enter training camp with real championship expectations? (42:34) Are the Lakers going to be better than they were last year? (46:53) How will Giannis’s move to the Heat affect what Nikola Jokic could do with the Nuggets? (51:43) Where do the Pistons rank among the rest of the Eastern Conference? (54:22) Does Jacoby recommend driving across the country in a RV? Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Jessie Lopez, Stefan Anderson, and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and Jacoby return to go through the players they are most looking forward to seeing in action with a new team. They break it all down by each selecting a star, a role player, a once-upon-a-time star, and an "I still believe in them" player. Then they discuss which star is most likely to win their first championship, which small offseason move will net the biggest result, and which scandal they care about the most going into the season. Also, they briefly discuss some of the recent signings around the league, the Wolves' ownership change, and Shaedon Sharpe’s injury. (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch! (1:46) Klay Thompson and DeMar DeRozan sign with the Heat and Nuggets, respectively (7:40) Timberwolves ownership change (12:07) Shaedon Sharpe’s injury (16:17) Star player on a new team we are most looking forward to seeing (19:52) Role player on a new team we are most looking forward to seeing (25:07) The once-upon-a-time star player on a new team we are most looking forward to seeing (31:00) The "I still believe in them" player on a new team we are most looking forward to seeing (40:49) Which star is most likely to win their first championship? (46:19) Small offseason signing that will lead to big results (53:07) Scandal they care about the most Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Jessie Lopez, Stefan Anderson, and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and Jacoby are joined by The Athletic’s Dan Woike to help break down the entire Lakers situation. They discuss Mark Walter's shocking decision to sell the Lakers to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner, the not-so-shocking Buss family drama since the Lakers were flipped by Walter, how the new ownership could affect Luka Doncic, and more. They also discuss how the Lakers' offseason acquisitions fit next to Luka, expectations for LeBron James on the Sixers, and Dan’s thoughts on the Clippers-Aspiration investigation. (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch! (2:16) Initial reaction to the Lakers' sale to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner (10:10) On Mark Walter and the changes he started implementing on the Lakers (17:41) How does new ownership affect Luka Doncic? (21:10) LeBron James leaving the Lakers to sign with the Sixers (28:48) Explaining how a team governor role works (38:17) Pros and cons from the Lakers' offseason (48:34) Clippers-Aspiration investigation Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Guest: Dan Wokie Producers: Jessie Lopez, Stefan Anderson, and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The NBA has finally released the schedule for the 2026-27 season, and Verno and Jacoby react by discussing the Christmas Day games, which team has a surprising amount of national TV games, debate who’ll get booed when returning to their former team, and more. Also, the guys share some of their fond memories of Russell Westbrook after he announced his retirement. (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch! (00:23) NBA releases the full 2026-27 schedule (3:41) Opening Day schedule (10:51) Christmas Day schedule (17:06) Nationally televised games (32:13) Homecoming games (39:02) Trying to make sense of the Lakers getting flipped by Mark Walter (44:21) Can't-miss games of the season (55:40) Happy retirement, Russell Westbrook Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Jessie Lopez, Stefan Anderson, and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and Jacoby return with the offseason edition of Loves and Loathes! (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch! (2:32) Verno loves: The power shift of the Eastern Conference (10:38) Jacoby loves: Still riding the high of the Knicks' championship (16:59) Verno loathes: The second apron (22:56) Jacoby loathes: Victor Wembanyama taking a pay cut (26:00) Verno loves: Underrated acquisitions of the offseason (29:38) Jacoby loves: The Chicago Bulls (32:06) Verno loathes: The neverending Clippers-Aspiration saga (and a bonus side story on Verno competing against Joey Chestnut) (38:21) Jacoby loathes: The Warriors' offseason (39:29) Verno loves: New head coaches around the league (42:38) Jacoby loves: LeBron James surprising everyone by signing with the 76ers (44:53) Verno loathes: Blazers owner Tom Dundon (46:47) Jacoby loathes: Pistons not addressing their needs (49:28) Verno loves: Minnesota Lynx’s Olivia Miles (53:51) Jacoby loves: NBA Europe (55:35) Verno loathes: Being out of touch with current movies and TV shows (1:02:22) Jacoby loathes: Booking an RV vacation with his family Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Jessie Lopez, Stefan Anderson, and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It finally happened! LeBron James is taking his talents to Philadelphia after signing a two-year deal with the 76ers last week. Verno and Jacoby share their thoughts on LeBron signing with Philly before discussing some of the other news around the league since LeBron's signing, including Mario Hezonja’s rabid interest before joining the Cavs, Nuggets matching the Thunder’s offer sheet for Spencer Jones, and more. (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch! (3:15) Still in shock about LeBron James signing with the Philadelphia 76ers (7:37) Should the Sixers trade Joel Embiid? (10:58) The Bob Myers angle (17:13) Sixers have multiple guys who can score 30+ on any night (21:46) Who will miss the playoffs in the revamped Eastern Conference? (27:50) LeBron commuting from New York to Philadelphia and Wilt Chamberlain’s nightclub (37:02) From LeBron James to Mario Hezonja (40:34) Nuggets match Thunder’s offer sheet for Spencer Jones (50:31) Verno’s trip to Milwaukee (56:34) Blazers owner continues his controversial changes for the franchise (1:02:00) Verno going to watch 'The Odyssey' Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Jessie Lopez and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and Jacoby are back as they go through five observations from the NBA's summer league in Las Vegas. They then discuss some of the latest news around the league including a second sponsorship deal investigation surrounding Kawhi Leonard, Victor Wembanyama’s contract extension, and more. Also, Jacoby shares his experience of going to 'The Odyssey' premiere in New York. (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch! (2:44) Jacoby going to 'The Odyssey' premiere (11:18) Summer league observation no. 1: Top four picks exceeded expectation (19:14) Summer league observation no. 2: Rookie standouts (28:17) Summer league observation no. 3: Sophomores standouts (31:05) Summer league observation no. 4: Disappointing players (33:21) Summer league observation no. 5: Las Vegas experiences (48:07) LeBron James watch (51:28) NBA investigating second sponsorship deal with Kawhi Leonard (56:43) Victor Wembanyama signs extension with Spurs Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Jessie Lopez, Stefan Anderson, Jeff Shearin, and Remy Hernandez Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and Jacoby return to discuss the Celtics trading Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers and debate Brad Stevens's reasoning for trading him away at this point in time. Next, they discuss Giannis Antetokounmpo’s comments since being traded to the Miami Heat, their latest ideas on where LeBron James will end up, and the most recent free agency news. Also, a brief conversation about Cameron Boozer, Darryn Peterson, and the early slate of NBA summer league games. (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch! (4:01) Brad Stevens and the Celtics front office speak on trading Jaylen Brown to the 76ers (22:13) Giannis Antetokounmpo speaks on leaving Milwaukee (30:08) Origins of the LeBron James whiteboard and dissecting where he could possibly go (39:57) Recent free agent news: DeMar DeRozan waived, Rui Hachimura signs with the Clippers, and Quinten Post’s Grizzlies offer sheet (46:57) Early summer league reactions Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Jessie Lopez, Stefan Anderson, and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Free agency is here as Verno and Jacoby react to all the news, starting with the reporting that LeBron James is set to move on from the Lakers and join a new team next season. They then debate whether Kawhi Leonard’s return to the Raptors actually moves the needle for them or the Clippers, and Verno then shares his disappointment with how Ja Morant’s time in Memphis ended. Also, they discuss the ongoing awkwardness between the Celtics and Jaylen Brown, and the weird restricted free agency market surrounding Walker Kessler and Jalen Duren. (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch! (2:42) LeBron James is moving on from the Lakers. Where will he find happiness? (15:40) Cavs big-game hunting, and imagining LeBron to the Spurs (21:49) Clippers trade Kawhi Leonard to the Raptors (30:52) Ja Morant’s sad ending with the Memphis Grizzlies (40:32) Relating to Jaylen Brown’s situation (51:05) Walker Kessler and Jalen Duren’s restricted free agency (56:39) Rapid fire moves made Protect your summer today at WeatherTech.com Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Jessie Lopez, Stefan Anderson, and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and Jacoby are back, as they discuss the blockbuster trade between the Hornets and Timberwolves that sent LaMelo Ball to Minnesota and Naz Reid to Charlotte. They take a look at the trade from both sides, debate whether either team is finished making moves and if the trade will inspire LaMelo to take his game to a different level. Next, Verno shares his absolute excitement for Isaiah Stewart’s arrival in Memphis, whether or not the Celtics will actually trade Jaylen Brown, and the surprising lack of a market for Ja Morant. Also, the rumors of Kawhi Leonard being open to signing an extension with a former team, and the Lakers absolutely needing to sign Austin Reaves to the max contract. (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch! (2:17) Hornets get a fresh start, trade LaMelo Ball to the Timberwolves (19:51) Tim Connelly takes another big swing with acquiring LaMelo Ball and trading away fan favorite Naz Reid (23:47) Pistons trade Isaiah Stewart to the Grizzlies (32:40) Will the Celtics actually trade Jaylen Brown? (39:27) Where is the market for Ja Morant? (48:02) Is Kawhi Leonard going back to the Spurs or Raptors (49:58) Was it smart for the Lakers to give Austin Reaves a max contract? (58:59) Second-round draft recap Protect your summer today at WeatherTech.com Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Jessie Lopez, Stefan Anderson, and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices