What to expect from Rockets, Thunder & Knicks in 2026-27 with Sam Amick | The Kevin O'Connor Show

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!

We have a jam-packed episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way!First, Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones are joined by Samson Folk (Raptors Republic) for a wide-ranging conversation about the Toronto Raptors. They talk through the finally completed Kawhi Leonard trade and how he fits on both ends, Scottie Barnes' growth and two-way usage, the importance of RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, the budding stardom of Collin Murray-Boyles and much more!On the WNBA side, the guys discuss their big and small picture takeaways from Team USA's gold-winning weekend, then talk through their candidates for this year's All-Rookie team. It may be time for a second team!If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at [email protected]:240 -- Samson joins the show!57:40 -- Team USA thoughts01:13:40 -- All-Rookie conversation 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Kevin O'Connor & Marcus Thompson react to Steve Ballmer's apology after the NBA's investigation found the Clippers guilty of cap circumvention. They also unpack the Clippers-Raptors Kawhi Leonard trade saga and what behind-the-scenes negotiations may be holding the deal up.The duo continues KOC's 'Entertainment Ranking' with the new-look Timberwolves—featuring LaMelo Ball, Jonathan Kuminga and Anthony Edwards—might be the NBA’s most combustible and entertaining teams this season. Plus, they recap the Philadelphia 76ers’ blockbuster offseason moves and explain why this coming season is a 'social experiment' for the league’s newest superteam.Later, Warren Sharp joins KOC to recap an exciting first week of the NFL season.(1:15) Steve Ballmer issues apology (3:35) NBA Entertainment Rankings: Minnesota Timberwolves(14:22) NBA Entertainment Rankings: Philadelphia 76ers(37:54) NFL 6 Points! Week 1 📢 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 Noa Dalzell (CelticsBlog, You Got Boston! Podcast) for a wide-ranging conversation about the Boston Celtics. They talk through last year's "surprising" success, the Jaylen Brown/Paul George swap, expectations for Jayson Tatum, potential role shifts from Derrick White and Payton Pritchard, and much more.On the WNBA side, the guys discuss their big and small picture takeaways from Team USA's historic win against Hungary, preview this weekend's semifinals matchups (USA-Spain, Germany-France), then talk through their top Coach of the Year candidates.If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at [email protected]:22 -- Noa joins the show!55:24 -- Team USA thoughts01:07:58 -- FIBA World Cup semifinals preview01:21:11 -- Coach of the Year  📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

For today's Kevin O'Connor Show, KOC is joined by Raj Chipalu from Lakers Screen & Roll to continue the NBA Entertainment rankings with Luka Doncic's Lakers. Who's the fifth starter for Los Angeles? Can Luka win MVP with this roster?Then, KOC reviews the young Spurs, fresh off a Finals appearance. What will they do with Dylan Harper?Plus, EV + tech guru Sawyer Merritt joins to talk about Tesla's new Cybercab. 01:01 Entertainment Rankings No. 4 with Raj Chipalu: Los Angeles Lakers28:26 Entertainment Rankings No. 3: San Antonio Spurs37:42 Inside Telsa Cybercab with Sawyer Merrit 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Kevin O’Connor is joined by Brady Hawk to break down the Miami Heat, covering the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade and big questions about shot creation and roles for new additions like veteran Klay Thompson and rookie Ryan Conwell. Later, Kevin discusses the Denver Nuggets and the five big questions they face at every position in their starting five.Then, Kevin does a re-draft of the 2016 NBA Draft class, spotlighting some of the biggest risers and hardest fallers including Jaylen Brown, Pascal Siakam, Ben Simmons and Jamal Murray.(0:31) NBA Entertainment Rankings: Miami Heat(26:59) NBA Entertainment Rankings: Denver Nuggets(36:34) 2016 NBA re-draft 📢 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 again by Couper Moorhead (HEAT.com, After The Buzzer Podcast) for a wide-ranging conversation about the Miami Heat. They talk through the Giannis Antetokounmpo and Klay Thompson acquisitions, next steps for Bam Adebayo, the importance of Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell, potential lineup combinations (#TallBall?) and much more.On the WNBA side, the guys discuss their big-picture and small-picture takeaways from Team USA's nail-biting win against Italy and their blowout win against Czechia. If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at [email protected]:51 -- Coup joins the show!51:57 -- Team USA thoughts01:15:40 -- FIBA World Cup shoutouts (France, Emma Meesseman, Puerto Rico) 📢 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 react to the latest news around the NBA. Ben Simmons is making his return, signing a one-year deal with the Kings! The Rockets and Amen Thompson agreed to a hefty -- but non-max -- rookie extension! The Clippers investigation has finally reached its end; the punishment is DAUNTING and leaves some critical long-term, team-building questions for the Clippers moving forward.Next, the guys are joined by Dane Moore (The Dane Moore NBA Podcast) for a wide-ranging conversation about the Minnesota Timberwolves. They talk through the LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga acquisitions, next steps for Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels, the importance of Rudy Gobert (and the non-Gobert minutes), potential lineup combinations and much more.On the WNBA side, the guys react to the breaking news that commissioner Cathy Engelbert will be retiring at the end of the calendar year. From there, they discuss their big and small picture takeaways from Team USA's 94-61 victory over China.If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at [email protected]:32 -- Ben Simmons to the Kings09:25 -- Amen Thompson gets PAID13:25 -- Clippers get punished17:23 -- Dane Moore joins for Wolves talk!01:14:01 -- Cathy Engelbert set to retire01:20:02 -- Team USA/China thoughts 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

Kevin O’Connor is joined by Sam Amick to continue his NBA Entertainment Rankings, diving deep into offseason moves, title expectations and chaos potential for the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder and New York Knicks. They break down Houston’s all-or-nothing gamble on veterans like Kevin Durant, OKC’s roster flexibility and subtle strategy shift and the Knicks’ shot at a championship repeat amid new roster dynamics.(0:29) Entertainment Rankings: Rockets(06:38) Entertainment Rankings: Thunder(15:16) Entertainment Rankings: Knicks 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!

On today's emergency edition of the Kevin O'Connor Show, KOC reacts to the latest breaking news in the Kawhi Leonard saga. The NBA doled out punishment to the LA Clippers, Steve Ballmer and Kawhi for salary cap circumvention. What’s next for the Los Angeles? Hear what KOC has to say on this special episode! 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv🖥️ Subscribe to the all new Yahoo Sports NBA channel on YouTube!