Woj Retirement and Reasons to Watch the Bottom Tier Teams in the League

Zach reacts to Adrian Wojnarowski leaving ESPN, divides the Eastern conference into tiers, and then brings in Steve Jones Jr. of The Dunker Spot to explain why these 8 teams will be worth watching: the Wizards, Hornets, Bulls, Raptors, Jazz, Blazers, Nets, and Pistons.  :15- Zach's thoughts on Woj's retirement from media 9:30- Tiering out the east 14:00- What to make of Milwaukee 20:00- Things to look forward to in Toronto 27:15- Young pieces for the Wizards 38:45- What does a healthy Hornets team look like? 48:35- Cade Cunnigham's growth around the Pistons offseason acquisitions. 55:50- Is there any joy in watching the Nets? 1:02:10- Can Josh Giddey's fit into Chicago change the Bulls future? 1:09:15- Jazz music playing? 1:21:20- The Blazers underrated depth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach Lowe and Mo Dakhil discuss the biggest question marks surrounding the Orlando Magic, Indiana Pacers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Miami Heat and if any of those teams can upset the top four of the Eastern Conference in a playoff series. Also, they debate if Jayson Tatum gets his proper respect as an NBA Superstar. All that and more! 3:30 Which of the young playoff teams in the East has the brightest future? 17:15 Where does the playmaking come from for the Orlando Magic? 26:35 Can Indiana's defense improve this season? 39:00 Can Cleveland get their pieces to fit together? 46:50 Will Jimmy Butler have a bounce back season? 57:00 Will Jayson Tatum ever win an MVP? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach Lowe and Bobby Marks discuss Jamal Murray signing his contract extension with the Denver Nuggets and what that means for the Nuggets title window, the trade rumors surrounding Julius Randle and Brandon Ingram, and which 4th year rookie scale contract extensions they expect to come through. All that and more! :55- Jamal Murray's contract extension 11:15- Can Christian Braun takeover the KCP role for Denver? 19:35- How do the Nuggets shift their offensive focus with new role players? 21:25- Julius Randle's looming extension 28:20- Trade ideas for Julius Randle 36:30- Will Brandon Ingram and the Pelicans work out an extension? 44:55- Indiana Pacers moves around the margins and what it means for Myles Turner 49:30- Rookie Scale contracts entering their 4th year in search of an extension 49:35 Cam Thomas 52:45- Alperun Sengun and Jalen Green 57:05- Is Jonathan Kuminga a max for the Warriors? 1:03:15- What is Jalen Suggs number? 1:05:30- Josh Giddey's role in Chicago 1:09:20- Joel Embiid's contract situation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach Lowe is joined by Kevin Pelton to discuss the Olympics and all of the late offseason news from around the league, then they discuss the teams they have the most questions for after this summer, and which players they think are the most intriguing heading into the 2024-2025 NBA season. All that and more! 3:45- Recapping Team USA's nerve racking quest for Gold 11:15- Are the Suns in a better position to compete heading into next year? 20:00- How concerning is the Jamal Murray situation in Denver? 22:45- Can the Bucks return to championship contention? 26:00- Can the new look 76ers piece together a contending roster? 32:35- Is Wemby ready to take the Spurs into the next stratosphere? 45:00- Are the Memphis Grizzlies ready to reclaim the West throne? 48:00- Most intriguing 49:30- Can Jaren Jackson Jr. return to DPOY level? 52:00- What will the Jazz do with Walker Kessler? 55:05- Has Tyler Herro reached his ceiling? 1:01:30- Trey Murphy III's continued ascension. 1:05:00- Can Shaedon Sharpe carve a role in Portland? 1:12:15- Keon Ellis' defensive impact 1:13:30 Dyson Daniels fit on the Hawks 1:17:45- Mavericks repeat as Western Conference champs? 1:20:15- What will the Rockets do with their young stars? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach Lowe is joined by Tim MacMahon to discuss the lingering trade rumors surrounding Lauri Markkanen and Brandon Ingram heading into the 2024-25 NBA Season and what they make out of the Phoenix Suns. Then, Adam Mares joins the show to figure out if the Denver Nuggets can find a way back to being a championship level team and finally Jon Krawczynski joins to discuss the moves the Minnesota Timberwolves have made this offseason, and if they are ready to take over the west this season. (1:50) Lauri Markkanen trade rumors (7:00) What is the plan for the Utah Jazz? (13:30) Will Brandon Ingram get moved? (22:15) Can the Phoenix Suns bounce back next season? (35:15) Tim MacMahon's early pick to win the western conference. (42:08) Adam Mares on the Denver Nuggets (51:25) How does Denver improve their offense? (1:03:30) What will Russell Westbrook's impact be for the Denver Nuggets (1:12:30) Jon Krawczynski on the Minnesota Timberwolves (1:18:30) Does Anthony Edwards have another leap in his game? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and Fred Katz discuss Team USA winning competitive exhibition games and how they feel about the team heading into the Olympics, then they discuss the most interesting win totals by ESPN Bet and which teams they think will surpass or fail to meet expectations, and if there are any moves left to make for the New York Knicks. All that and more! Team USA's Tough Games against South Sudan and Germany (1:00) What teams are the biggest threat to Team USA (13:45) Kevin Durant's injury severity (18:00) ESPN Bet Win Totals Over/Under (25:30) How competitive will the Spurs be in Year 2 of Wemby? (26:20) The Cavs running it back (32:05) What to make of the Sacramento Kings (43:00) Can the Orlando Magic make another leap (56:45) How good are the Bucks? (1:08:45) Knicks discussion (1:12:30) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and Seth Partnow discuss what the Raptors and Hornets are up to before weighing in on some offseason winners and losers. Then ESPN's Jamal Collier joins for the latest on the Bucks. Plus, Russell Westbrook is reportedly headed to Denver. Raptors (3:01) Banchero vs. Barnes (24:58) Hornets (32:21) Offseason winners and losers (49:45) Collier (1:01:49) Middleton's ankles (1:02:57) The Dame-Giannis pick and roll (1:13:09) Russell Westbrook headed for Denver (1:22:47) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and ESPN's Kevin Pelton discuss Jalen Brunson's extension with the Knicks and whether or not it will be a precedent in the apron era, the Warriors' pursuit of Lauri Markkanen, and a look at a few teams that make you wonder about their direction. Brunson's extension (1:04) Will this be a precedent? (12:34) Where do the Knicks stack up in the East? (19:43) Warriors' pursuit of a Markkanen trade (25:16) WTF are these teams draft (39:58) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach looks back on the Paul George-Kawhi Leonard era of the Clippers. Then ESPN's Tim MacMahon joins to take stock of the Warriors, possible Lauri Markkanen trade teams, and the state of the Memphis Grizzlies. The Kawhi-PG era (1:01) Tim MacMahon (19:21) Team USA latest (20:11) Current state of the Warriors (30:34) Markkanen trades (43:58) Don't sleep on the Grizzlies (1:10:01) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and ESPN's Chris Herring react to Paul George's comments about his contract negotiations with the Clippers, discuss the Heat losing Caleb Martin to the Sixers, the Kings trading for DeMar DeRozan, and the Bulls' attempt at a rebuild. Then ESPN's Brian Windhorst joins to preview a loaded Olympic field and Team USA's biggest questions. Paul George on his contract talks with the Clippers (4:26) What are the Clippers now? (18:16) The Heat lose Caleb Martin to the Sixers (24:02) The Kings trading for DeMar DeRozan (37:42) The disaster for the Bulls (54:39) The Magic need a PG (1:07:06) Windhorst (1:09:27) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices