Most Intriguing Headlines Going Into the 2026-27 Season | Ringer NBA

On the latest edition of The Ringer NBA Show, Howard Beck and Michael Pina discuss their most intriguing story lines heading into the 2026-27 season. Which former Finals MVP has the best chance of capturing a ring again? Is there an in-season trade that could shock the league? The guys also debate the most intriguing teams to watch. (00:00) Intro (2:37) - Former Finals MVP with best chance to win another (41:01) - Most Intriguing story lines Hosts: Howard Beck and Michael PinaProducers: Victoria Valencia, Clifford Augustin, and Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After ranking the teams in the East, J. Kyle Mann and Michael Pina return to create their hierarchy for the Western Conference. Can the Thunder get back on track to dethrone the Spurs in the West? How far can Steph Curry carry the Warriors? Is LaMelo Ball the missing piece for Anthony Edwards and the Wolves? How will the Clippers respond after the severe punishments for circumventing the salary cap?(00:00) Intro (20:41) 15-10(54:26) 9-5(1:20:44) 4-1Hosts: J.Kyle Mann and Michael PinaProducers: Victoria Valencia, Jessie Lopez, and Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and JKM have finally reassembled and are ready to talk hoops and discuss what they think they know about the highly anticipated 2026-27 NBA season. Now that LeBron is no longer a Laker, has the front office built a team that complements Luka? Is reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg ready to take that next step in his development? Are the Western Conference champion Spurs poised to take the Western crown again? (14:00) - Luka’s Lakers(28:00) - Wolves add Jonathan Kuminga(37:45) - Cooper Flagg in year two(57:00) - Prove-it-year Pistons(1:07:00) - Spurs Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle Mann Producers: Victoria Valencia, Clifford Augustin, and Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to another episode of Ringer NBA Lore, where we remember iconic teams and moments in NBA history. Today, Logan Murdock is joined by Joel Anderson and Bomani Jones, both of whom are Houston natives and followed the Rockets closely during their mid-’90s championship run. Joel and Bomani examine the multiple heartbreaks that Houston fans endured leading up to Hakeem Olajuwon and the Rockets finally breaking through and winning back-to-back championships. Host: Logan Murdock Guests: Joel Anderson and Bomani Jones Producers: Logan Murdock, Ben Cruz, and Conor Nevins Video Producer: Victoria Valencia Audio Producer: Clifford Augustin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to a Real Ones special edition series we’re calling Ringer NBA Lore, where we remember iconic teams and moments in NBA history. Today, Logan Murdock is joined by Howard Beck and Tim Kawakami to dive deep into the first championship run of the Lakers' 2000s three-peat. Howard and Tim both covered the team that season, so they share their stories and behind-the-scenes insights on the friction between Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, Phil Jackson’s mind games, Jerry West’s influence, and how this team defined the NBA at the turn of the century. (00:00) Intro (7:56) Lakers trade for Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal (18:56) Phil Jackson arrives (28:44) Regular season (38:56) Media wars (50:44) Playoffs and Shaq wins MVP (54:46) Lakers-Blazers playoff series (1:11:28) Finals (1:24:03) Covering the championship (1:30:26) Biggest what-ifs Hosts: Logan Murdock and Howard Beck Guest: Tim Kawakami Producers: Logan Murdock, Conor Nevins, and Ben Cruz Video Producer: Victoria Valencia Audio Producer: Clifford Augustin Social: Abou Kamara Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Now that the dust has settled on the major offseason moves and key acquisitions, J. Kyle Mann and Michael Pina have decided to come up with their hierarchy for the Eastern Conference and rank where they think each team stands right now. Following their championship run, have the Knicks solidified their standing as top dog in the East? Now that Giannis has been traded from Milwaukee to Miami, have the Heat shot up their rankings? Where do the guys have the Sixers now that LeBron is headed to Philly? (00:00) Intro (6:30) 15-10 (55:00) 9-5 (1:19:00) 4-1 Hosts: J. Kyle Mann and Michael Pina Producers: Victoria Valencia, Clifford Augustin, and Ben Cruz Additional Production Support: John Richter and Chris Wohlers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howard Beck and Michael Pina have their way-too-early NBA player awards for the 2026-2027 season. Find out their jalapeño and reaper picks for Defensive Player of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Most Improved Player, Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, and Most Valuable Player. The takes definitely get spicy! (6:45) Defensive Player of the Year (16:36) Sixth Man of the Year (32:25) Most Improved Player- (45:33) Rookie of the Year  (56:35) Coach of the Year (1:10:01) Most Valuable  Player Hosts: Howard Beck and Michael PinaProducers: Victoria Valencia and Clifford AugustinProduction Supervision: Ben CruzAdditional Production Support: John Richter and Chris Wohlers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

That's right! LeBron James is headed to Philly and joining the Sixers on a two-year deal. Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck discuss the move, which is likely to be the last of his career. Why did LeBron choose Philly? How does he fit with the star-studded roster? What does this mean for the teams that he didn’t choose? (5:00) - LeBron's Fit in Philly(14:24) - Joel Embiid’s role(29:28) - LeBron and the Philly fanbase(42:40) - The teams that missed out on LeBronHosts: Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard BeckProducer: Victoria ValenciaProduction Supervision: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan Murdock, Raja Bell, and Howard Beck put a bow on the 2025-26 NBA season with their sixth annual Realys Awards. Find out who wins the highly anticipated Real One of the Year award, who Raja crowns as the Raja Bell Memorial Defender of the Year, and much more! (00:00) Intro  (1:50) OG of the Year  (10:23) Newcomer of the Year  (17:25) Worst Trade of the Year  (24:41) Crashout of the Year  (30:50) Moment of the Year  (35:13) Who won the year?  (38:24) Who lost the year?  (41:24) Raja Bell Memorial Defender award  (45:20) Real One of the Year (52:30) Outro Blooper Hosts: Logan Murdock, Howard Beck, and Raja BellProducers: Logan Murdock, Clifford Augustin, and Victoria ValenciaVideo: Victoria ValenciaAudio: Devon BaroldiShow Art: Matthew JamesProduction Supervision: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Rob, and J. Kyle Mann return to recap what they’ve seen so far during summer league and answer some mailbag questions. Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and J. Kyle MannProducers: Victoria Valencia and Stefan Anderson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices