Chris Vernon joins KOC from Las Vegas! Plus ARod & Marc Lore talk Wolves ownership | The Kevin O'Connor Show

Kevin O'Connor is joined by Chris Vernon from the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Chris makes KOC defend his take that Grizzlies fans overrate Ja Morant and discuss the offseason moves Memphis made. The pair also talk about how Cedric Coward can be a star for the Grizzlies and share their initial reactions to Hugo Gonzalez and Cooper Flagg's performances in Summer League.New Timberwolves owners Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore then join The Kevin O'Connor Show to discuss their bold vision for Minnesota basketball. From empowering Tim Connelly to innovating fan experiences with “Jump,” they’re laying the groundwork for a championship culture. They open up about their long-term goals, Anthony Edwards’ development, their admiration for Rudy Gobert, and how fast, decisive leadership shapes winning franchises.(0:30) Chris Vernon joins(1:00) Is Ja Morant overrated?(19:54) First impressions of Cooper Flagg(23:41) Is NIL good for NBA?(35:48) Timberwolves owners Alex Rodriguez & Marc Lore join(44:00) How to maximize Ant's potential  📢 Check out the entire Yahoo Sports podcast network

How did Cooper Flagg fare in his NBA Summer League debut? KOC breaks down the Mavericks' matchup against the Lakers, with Dallas edging out Los Angeles 87-85. He shares more of his observations from around the league, including Herb Jones' contract extension with the New Orleans Pelicans. Then, KOC is joined by Jason Timpf from Hoops Tonight and Daman Rangoola from Stratechery to discuss the state of basketball in Los Angeles. Is LeBron James' silence towards Deandre Ayton a sign he wants out of LA? And which Western Conference team is most likely to take out the OKC Thunder in next year's playoffs?(0:26) - Biggest takeaways from day 1 of NBA Summer League(5:30) - What’s going on with Lebron and the Lakers?(23:43) - Are the Clippers or Lakers in a better position to win this season?(32:58) - Which team is best poised to come out of the West next season? 📢 Check out the entire Yahoo Sports podcast network

On this episode of Good Word with Goodwill, Vince and Dan Titus react to Chet Holmgren getting a huge $250 Million deal from the Oklahoma City Thunder and discuss if the team can keep its young core intact under the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement.Next, Vince explains the NBA’s first and second apron and highlights why it has made free agency very different for the players.Later, Vince and Dan discuss if Luka Doncic should sign a long term deal with the Los Angeles Lakers and make an early prediction on who will be the top teams next season. (2:15) Chet Holmgren gets rookie max extension from Thunder(11:15) What is the NBA’s first and second apron?(18:26) Draymond Green says CBA ended free agency(30:34) Can Anthony Davis return to All-NBA form?(35:12) Will Cooper Flagg struggle in his first season?(38:26) Should Luka sign long term deal with Lakers?(42:20) Steve Nash, Kevin Durant reflect on their time in Brooklyn(48:38) Top three teams in each conference 📢 Check out the entire Yahoo Sports podcast network

What are the best fits for the big-name free agents that are still on the market? KOC and Tom Haberstroh debate the best potential landing spots for Bradley Beal, Damian Lillard, Chris Paul and Al Horford. But first, they question who won the Clippers-Heat-Jazz trade that sent Norman Powell to Miami, John Collins to Los Angeles, and Kevin Love, Kyle Anderson and a 2027 Clippers second-round pick to Utah. They finish up the show by previewing the NBA Summer League games in Las Vegas. Who has the most to prove? And who are the guys most excited to watch?(0:49) Jazz, Clippers & Heat three-way trade(24:26) Best fits for remaining free agents(45:57) NBA introduces new ‘heave’ rule(49:15) Summer League preview 📢 Check out the entire Yahoo Sports podcast network

On this episode of Good Word with Goodwill, Vince and The Athletic’s James Edwards discuss what Mike Brown should expect while being head coach of the New York Knicks.Next the Clippers and Heat make a big trade. Also, how will Deandre Ayton fit in with LeBron James and Luka Doncic?Later, Vince and James react to the news that Chris Paul intends to retire after one more season and discuss where he ranks among all-time great point guards.(2:29) What should Mike Brown expect as Knicks head coach?(13:42) Teams that can threaten the Knicks in the Eastern Conference(26:27) Clippers, Heat make trade surrounding Norman Powell & John Collins(33:14) Bradley Beal could get buyout in Phoenix(37:18) Will Deandre Ayton mesh well with LeBron & Luka?(42:50) Where does Chris Paul rank as an all-time point guard?(50:05) How many years was Chris Paul the best point guard in the league? 📢 Check out the entire Yahoo Sports podcast network

On this episode of Good Word with Goodwill, Vince and Amin Elhassan discuss the surprising news that Damian Lillard was waived by the Milwaukee Bucks and Amin names a team that would be perfect for his next destination.Next, Vince and Amin react to Mike Brown being hired as the New York Knicks head coach and what he needs to do to be successful.Later, Vince and Amin take a look at some of the recent free agency signings and Amin picks three teams that have impressed him with their additions.(2:44) Bucks waive Damian Lillard(8:23) Should Dame sign with another team this season?(11:14) Where does this leave Giannis Antetokounmpo?(21:28) The brilliance of Sam Presti(24:46) Knicks hire Mike Brown as head coach(31:31) Will Mike Brown get more out of KAT & Jalen Brunson?(35:20) How will JJ Redick mesh with DeAndre Ayton?(42:42) Is the current CBA hurting the NBA?(48:38) Teams that made the most impressive free agency moves 📢 Check out the entire Yahoo Sports podcast network

It's no secret the NBA's Western Conference has been better than its Eastern Conference for some time now, but how big is that imbalance? Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine kick off this week's Big Number with a shocking stat: the East could win their next 1,318 consecutive games vs. Western Conference teams and STILL not be .500 vs. the their opponents in their head-to-head record since 2000.Tom argues that the East vs. West power imbalance is greater than ever and that it might send one LeBron James seeking a trade or some sort of move back to his hometown in Cleveland to put the final chapter on his Hall of Fame career. Tom even brings a crazy four-team trade to the table that would make it all work!Later in the show, Dan shares some little numbers around the Chicago Bulls without Lonzo Ball (which they should get used to now that he's on Cleveland), the Knicks starters' minutes per game vs. the Western Conference, the Orlando Magic's offensive rating against the West and the Atlanta Hawks defensive efficiency in the Trae Young era.Also, Mike Brown will be reportedly the next coach of the New York Knicks. The guys react to the news live & share a touching get well soon message for the one and only Red Panda.(1:30) - 1,318: West's head-to-head advantage over the East since 2000(5:40) - Why East vs. West talent disadvantage could send LeBron back to CLE(17:25) - Why Chicago will struggle more without Lonzo Ball(23:35) - Knicks roster minutes per game vs. West(29:10) - Breaking: Mike Brown to New York Knicks(35:40) - Orlando's offensive rating vs. West(39:30) - Atlanta's defensive efficiency in the Trae Young era(45:30) - Get well soon to Red Panda & Jaren Jackson Jr.(48:30) - Unpacking Milwaukee's move from Lillard to Turner🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts 📢 Check out the entire Yahoo Sports podcast network

What do Milwaukee's latest moves signal for Giannis Antetokounmpo's future? KOC pontificates on the shocking news that the Bucks are waiving Damian Lillard to sign Myles Turner. Then, Kevin moves on to more of the biggest moves of the NBA offseason. Is Cam Johnson an upgrade over Michael Porter Jr. for the Denver Nuggets? And what do the Lakers' moves mean for LeBron James' future in Los Angeles?00:19 - Bucks waive Damian Lillard to sign Myles Turner07:20 - Nuggets trade MPJ for Cam Johnson09:57 - Hawks land Nickeil Alexander-Walker11:38 - Knicks sign Guerschon Yabusele13:18 - Bigs musical chairs!16:30 - What are the Lakers going to do? 📢 Check out the entire Yahoo Sports podcast network

On this episode of Good Word with Goodwill, Vince and Mo Dakhill react to LeBron James opting into his deal with the Los Angeles Lakers and if he is passively aggressively seeking a trade.Next, Vince and Mo unpack Malik Beasley being investigated for gambling before turning their attention to free agency.Later, Vince and Mo discuss the idea of Mike Brown being the next New York Knicks head coach and if he would be the ideal fit. (2:37) Does LeBron want to be traded?(10:55) Can Lakers prioritize both LeBron and Luka?(20:25) Clippers give James Harden two-year deal(26:31) Malik Beasley under investigation for gambling(39:21) Pre-Free Agency Signings(53:14) Knicks impressed by Mike Brown 📢 Check out the entire Yahoo Sports podcast network

KOC is joined by Jovan Buha, who covers the Los Angeles Lakers as well as anyone. What is next for LeBron James?? After opting in, the rumors started right away... could he actually be traded? Will a buyout option surface? Does Luka want him there 100% next season? Does LeBron want to go back to Cleveland, or would he accept a trade to a surprise team like the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors or even the Denver Nuggets? It's all on the table in this edition of the KOC Show that also hits on other free agent and trade news around the league involving the following names: James Harden, DeAndre Ayton, Lonzo Ball, Isaac Okoro, Collin Sexton, Nurk, NAW, Ty Jerome, Jabari Smith, Bobby Portis, and of course the bizarre situation involving Malik Beasley. Lock in!(00:45) - Jovan Buha on Lakers & LeBron's future(26:20) - KOC runs through news of the week: Beasley, Ball for Okoro & more Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube 📢 Check out the entire Yahoo Sports podcast network