2025 NBA Western Conference Rookie Report

Dan and Grant go through their awards ballot a little more than one-quarter of the way through the NBA season, with a focus on one big-time question: Is the MVP race already over? TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO3:09 - MVP9:59 - Who’s easier to build around: SGA or Jokic?20:36 - Defensive Player of the Year30:29 - Should the NBA change the awards rules?33:41 - Rookie of the Year40:35 - Most Improved Player55:02 -Sixth Man of the Year1:03:42 - Coach of the Year1:14:23 - Executive of the Year1:21:58 - STAT PADDINGSUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCHJOIN OUR DISCORDSUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️TikTok: @hardwoodknocksTwitter @HardwoodKnocksInstagram: @hardwood_knocks Dan's Bluesky: @danfavaleDan's Twitter: @danfavaleDan's IG: @danfavaleGrant's Bluesky: @granthughesBUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️[email protected]

Dan is joined by Mort Jensen (@msjnba) of The NBA Podcast to go back and forth on questions they have for every NBA team as we near the official start of NBA trade season on December 15. First up: The Eastern Conference! TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO2:01 - Detroit Pistons15:30 - New York Knicks28:24 - Boston Celtics40:54 - Toronto Raptors52:00 - Orlando Magic1:04:40 - Miami Heat1:14:44 - Philadelphia 76ers1:25:22 - Cleveland Cavaliers1:33:43 - Atlanta Hawks1:44:37 - Milwaukee Bucks1:54:23 - Chicago Bulls1:58:31 - Charlotte Hornets 2:05:31 - Brooklyn Nets2:11:59 - Indiana Pacers2:21:49 - Washington WizardsSUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCHJOIN OUR DISCORDSUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️TikTok: @hardwoodknocksTwitter @HardwoodKnocksInstagram: @hardwood_knocks Dan's Bluesky: @danfavaleDan's Twitter: @danfavaleDan's IG: @danfavaleGrant's Bluesky: @granthughesBUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️[email protected]

Dan and Grant break down the latest in the Giannis Antetokounmpo rumor mill and then spend time talking about whether the NBA's superstar-trade market will change. After that, they get into potential Giannis packages. Finally, they welcome on Hardwood Knocks' new video editor, Andrew Willet (@theacwillett22). TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO2:58 - Latest Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors4:07 - Why is Giannis doing this now?11:57 - Can the Bucks salvage the Giannis situation?23:29 - Should NBA teams still go all-in on star trades?52:43 - Giannis to the New York Knicks54:22 - Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Atlanta Hawks1:00:35 - Giannis to the San Antonio Spurs1:08:02 - Giannis to the OKC Thunder 1:10:23 - Giannis to the Golden State Warriors1:13:11 - Giannis to the Houston Rockets1:16:32 - Giannis to the Lakers1:17:22 - Giannis to the Miami Heat 1:20:07 - Giannis to the Detroit Pistons1:21:42 - Giannis to the Indiana Pacers1:23:40 - Giannis to the Toronto Raptors 1:25:29 - Giannis to the Memphis Grizzlies1:27:00 - Giannis to the Cleveland Cavaliers 1:28:48 - Giannis to the Orlando Magic1:31:36 - STAT PADDING WITH ANDREW WILLETTSUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCHJOIN OUR DISCORDSUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️TikTok: @hardwoodknocksTwitter @HardwoodKnocksInstagram: @hardwood_knocks Dan's Bluesky: @danfavaleDan's Twitter: @danfavaleDan's IG: @danfavaleGrant's Bluesky: @granthughesBUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️[email protected]

Dan and Grant are choppering in to discuss the state of the Los Angeles Clippers and talk about some trade scenarios—including one that could net them back some of their own first-round picks. They'll also be digging into the latest Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO1:37 - Why the Clippers sent Chris Paul home9:14 - Trades to get the Clippers their picks back26:36 - James Harden to the Minnesota Timberwolves35:06 - James Harden to the Golden State Warriors37:22 - James Harden to the Atlanta Hawks41:12 - James Harden to the Phoenix Suns44:01 - James Harden to the Detroit Pistons48:42 - James Harden to the Memphis Grizzlies53:31 - Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors57:46 - James to the Milwaukee Bucks1:02:06 - Kawhi Leonard to the Milwaukee Bucks1:07:03 - Kawhi Leonard to the Minnesota Timberwolves 1:11:51 - Kawhi Leonard to the Sacramento Kings1:17:03 - Kawhi Leonard to the Philadelphia 76ers1:22:55 - So...What should the Clippers do?SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCHJOIN OUR DISCORDSUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️TikTok: @hardwoodknocksTwitter @HardwoodKnocksInstagram: @hardwood_knocks Dan's Bluesky: @danfavaleDan's Twitter: @danfavaleDan's IG: @danfavaleGrant's Bluesky: @granthughesBUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️[email protected]

Dan and Grant are joined by Bleacher Report's Bryant Toporek (@btoporek) and Jay Dunbar (@jaydunbar) to break down their ULTIMATE 5-YEAR NBA RE-DRAFT project. Bryant Knox (@bryantknox) also participated, but was unable to attend. We go through the 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 NBA draft classes and select players as if we're starting a franchise FROM SCRATCH. There is an obvious No. 1, but the likes of Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Alperen Sengun, Tyrese Haliburton, Evan Mobley, Tyrese Maxey, Scottie Barnes, Paolo Banchero, Amen Thompson, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Johnson and MORE made this an absurdly tough (and interesting!) exercise. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO and CRITERIA3:12 - Detroit Pistons: Victor Wembanyama 4:50 - Washington Wizards: Cade Cunningham 6:59 - Charlotte Hornets: Tyrese Haliburton8:55 - San Antonio Spurs: Anthony Edwards11:52 - Houston Rockets: Evan Mobley 15:01 - Portland Trail Blazers: Tyrese Maxey17:08 - Orlando Magic: Alperen Sengun21:09 - Toronto Raptors: Jalen Williams24:00 - New Orleans Pelicans: Chet Holmgren26:46 - Utah Jazz: Amen Thompson30:16 - Indiana Pacers: Jalen Johnson 31:46 - Sacramento Kings: Paolo Banchero39:36 - Brooklyn Nets: Scottie Barnes41:27 - Chicago Bulls: Franz Wagner43:26 - Atlanta Hawks: Austin Reaves46:41 - Oklahoma City Thunder: Desmond Bane48:56 - Los Angeles Lakers: LaMelo Ball54:17 - Minnesota Timberwolves: Jalen Duren55:54 - Miami Heat: Deni Avdija57:50 - Memphis Grizzlies: Josh Giddey1:02:16 - Dallas Mavericks: Trey Murphy1:04:54 - Philadelphia 76ers: Reed Sheppard1:07:11 - New York Knicks: Jalen Suggs1:09:09 - Cleveland Cavaliers: Payton Pritchard1:10:55 - Golden State Warriors: Stephon Castle1:14:04 - Los Angeles Clippers: Jaden McDaniels1:16:30 - Phoenix Suns: Shaedon Sharpe1:18:10 - Milwaukee Bucks: Alex Sarr1:19:53 - Denver Nuggets: Jabari Smith Jr.1:20:59 - Boston Celtics: Onyeka Okongwu1:23:11 - Re-Draft SNUBSSUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCHJOIN OUR DISCORDSUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️TikTok: @hardwoodknocksTwitter @HardwoodKnocksInstagram: @hardwood_knocks Dan's Bluesky: @danfavaleDan's Twitter: @danfavaleDan's IG: @danfavaleGrant's Bluesky: @granthughesBUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️[email protected]

Dan is joined by Mort Jensen of 'The NBA Podcast' to break down Western Conference NBA rookie performances so far, including Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, Dylan Harper, Kobe Sanders, Cedric Coward and MANY MORE! TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO/APPROACH6:31 - Dallas Mavericks: Cooper Flagg15:46 - San Antonio Spurs: Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant23:36 - New Orleans Pelicans: Derik Queen, Jeremiah Fears and Micah Peavey44:16 - Memphis Grizzlies: Cedric Coward58:15 - Utah Jazz: Ace Bailey and Walter Clayton Jr.1:17:57 - Sacramento Kings: Nique Clifford1:31:00 - Golden State Warriors: Will Richard1:36:06 - Los Angeles Clippers: Kobe Sanders 1:38:24 - Portland Trail Blazers: Yang Hansen and Caleb Love1:45:11 - Honorable MentionsSUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCHJOIN OUR DISCORDSUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️TikTok: @hardwoodknocksTwitter @HardwoodKnocksInstagram: @hardwood_knocks Dan's Bluesky: @danfavaleDan's Twitter: @danfavaleDan's IG: @danfavaleGrant's Bluesky: @granthughesBUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️[email protected]

Dan and Grant are back with another round of 'We're Just Asking Questions.' This time, we are pondering whether the Los Angeles Clippers hold the fate of the NBA's parity era in their hands because to the first-round picks they must still send to the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO0:48 - Clippers draft obligations to the Thunder2:10 - Will Oklahoma City's window ever close?13:59 - Biggest short-term threats to the Thunder27:08 - Can the Clippers turn it around?32:42 - Re-litigating the Paul George...35:20 - STAT PADDINGSUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCHJOIN OUR DISCORDSUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️TikTok: @hardwoodknocksTwitter @HardwoodKnocksInstagram: @hardwood_knocks Dan's Bluesky: @danfavaleDan's Twitter: @danfavaleDan's IG: @danfavaleGrant's Bluesky: @granthughesBUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️[email protected]

Dan and Grant bounce around with some burning questions they have as we wrap up the first quarter of the 2025-26 NBA season, including: Are the Toronto Raptors for Real? Who is the NBA's third best team? Are the Atlanta Hawks better off without Trae Young? And more! TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO3:06 - Are the Atlanta Hawks better off without Trae Young?27:45 - Just how good are the Los Angeles Lakers?45:20 - Will Tyler Herro ruin the Miami Heat's mojo?59:28 - Are the Toronto Raptors for real?1:13:27 - Which NBA teams are on blow-up watch?1:20:26 - Who is the third best team in the NBA?1:28:38 - Which NBA contender is in the most trouble? SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCHJOIN OUR DISCORDSUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️TikTok: @hardwoodknocksTwitter @HardwoodKnocksInstagram: @hardwood_knocks Dan's Bluesky: @danfavaleDan's Twitter: @danfavaleDan's IG: @danfavaleGrant's Bluesky: @granthughesBUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️[email protected]

Dan and Grant are back for another around of 'We're Just Asking Questions!' This time, we're talking LaMelo Ball's future with the Charlotte Hornets. After that, Dan is joined by Mort Jensen (@msjnba) of The NBA Podcast to discuss where the New Orleans Pelicans go after firing Willie Green. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO0:49 - What does LaMelo Ball mean to the Hornets?8:32 - What is LaMelo's trade value?19:55 - How much time does Charlotte have?28:23 - Where do the Pelicans go from here?SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCHJOIN OUR DISCORDSUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️TikTok: @hardwoodknocksTwitter @HardwoodKnocksInstagram: @hardwood_knocks Dan's Bluesky: @danfavaleDan's Twitter: @danfavaleDan's IG: @danfavaleGrant's Bluesky: @granthughesBUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️[email protected]

Dan and Mort Jensen of 'The NBA Podcast' discuss their initial impressions of notable NBA rookies in the Eastern Conference. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO2:10 - Charlotte Hornets: Kon Knueppel, Ryan Kalkbrenner & Sion James12:25 - Brooklyn Nets: Egor Demin and Drake Powell25:24 - Toronto Raptors: Collin Murray-Boyles26:15 - Victor Wembanyama injury update30:11 - BACK TO COLLIN MURRAY-BOYLES39:02 - Washington Wizards: Tre Johnson46:17 - Philadelphia 76ers: VJ Edgecombe59:11 - Quick Hits: Jace Richardson, Mohamed Diawara, Kasparas Jakucionis, MORESUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCHJOIN OUR DISCORDSUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️TikTok: @hardwoodknocksTwitter @HardwoodKnocksInstagram: @hardwood_knocks Dan's Bluesky: @danfavaleDan's Twitter: @danfavaleDan's IG: @danfavaleGrant's Bluesky: @granthughesBUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️[email protected]