NBA Teams That Could Surprise Everyone

Dan is joined by Kirk Henderson (@KirkSeriousFace) from Pod Maverick and Mavs Moneyball for a deep dive into the 2025-26 Dallas Mavericks. SUBSCRIBE TO POD MAVERICK HERE. TIMESTAMPS⬇️0:00 - INTRO0:56 - The Mavs’ direction7:02 - Cooper Flagg development12:56 - Kyrie Irving timeline15:10 - Offseason impressions 17:58 - The big-man rotation 19:51 - Future of Dereck Lively II23:36 - Dallas’ transition offense26:17 - Mavs’ defensive ceiling27:53 - Expectations for Max Christie31:15 - Brandon Williams’ fit34:03 - Early impressions of Ryan Nembhard35:02 - Future of Jaden Hardy36:13 - Biggest needs, under-the-radar storylines 40:33 - Top-10 rotation 42:14 - Best offensive lineup43:22 - Go-to crunch-time lineup43:56 - Weirdo lineups we want to see 45:30 - PREDICTIONSSUPPORT 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 Lauren Williams (@WilliamsLaurenL) from the AJC for a deep dive into the 2025-26 Atlanta Hawks. CHECK OUT LAUREN' WORK HERE. TIMESTAMPS⬇️0:00 - INTRO1:14 - Biggest takeaway from last season3:16 - Continued development of Jalen Johnson5:54 - The offseason and front office14:05 - Future of Trae Young 21:26 - Kristaps Porzingis-Onyeka Okongwu fit26:43 - Secondary ball-handling30:40 - The rise of Dyson Daniels38:16 - Zaccharie Risacher development45:41 - Hawks’ offensive pace48:03  - Atlanta’s defensive ceiling + Impact of Mo Gueye51:21 - Early impressions of Asa Newell54:39 - Vit Krejci + other youngsters57:38 - Biggest needs/weaknesses, under-the-radar storylines59:41 - Top-10 rotation1:01:11 - Go-to closing unit1:01:55 - Weirdo lineups we want to see1:04:45 - PREDICTIONS!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 Mort Jensen (@msjnba) of The NBA Podcast to break down the latest news and rumors around the NBA, including the Clippers and Kawhi Leonard cap circumvention scandal, Cam Thomas signing his qualifying offer, Josh Giddey getting $100M from the Bulls and more. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO2:02 - The Clippers' Kawhi Leonard/salary-cap scandal53:09 - Cam Thomas signs his qualifying offer1:09:09 - Josh Giddey gets PAID1:30:10 - Jonathan Kuminga and Quentin GrimesSUPPORT 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 Tayler Peterson (@Tayler_P15) and JD Silva (@jdsilva_) from The Uncontested Podcast (@The_Uncontested) for a deep dive into the 2025-26 Oklahoma City Thunder. SUBSCRIBE TO THE UNCONTESTED ON PATREON. TIMESTAMPS⬇️0:00 - INTRO2:51 - The Thunder’s title run 6:21 - Biggest takeaways from last season9:36 - Why the Thunder are built to last12:22 - The Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams extensions 17:45 - Continued development of Chet Holmgren23:36 - Future of Jalen Williams31:20 - Impact of Isaiah Hartenstein35:45 - Continued development of Cason Wallace 39:35 - What is the ceiling of Ajay Mitchell?43:43 - Are Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins expendable?49:09 - Developing young talent while still contending50:27 - Nikola Topic expectations53:57 - Early impressions Thomas Sorber58:02 - Early impressions of Brooks Barnhizer1:00:45 - Room for offensive improvement?1:01:42 -Future of Ousmane Dieng1:05:13 - Biggest needs, Under-the-radar storylines1:08:20 - Top-10 rotation1:10:30 - Go-to crunch-time unit1:12:46 - Weirdo lineups we want to see1:15:45 - FREE-THROW MERCHANTS1:19:22 - PREDICTIONSSUPPORT 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 Laz Jackson (@lazchance) from Detroit Bad Boys for a deep dive into the 2025-26 Detroit Pistons. TIMESTAMPS⬇️0:00 - INTRO1:06 - Last season’s most important development 4:53 - Impact of JB Bickerstaff6:36 - The Offseason16:40 - Continued development of Jaden Ivey24:06 - Future of Jalen Duren29:33 - Ausar Thompson’s next steps36:01 - Continued development of Ron Holland42:56 - The next frontier for Cade Cunningham49:02 - Will Isaiah Stewart take more threes?51:44 - Impact of Tobias Harris 56:34 - Marcus Sasser58:06 - Bobi Klintman59:29 - Tolu Smith 1:00:18 - Daniss Jenkins1:01:33 - Chaz Lanier1:04:04 - Biggest weakness, under-the-radar storylines, trade targets1:10:35 - Top-10 rotation1:12:30 - Go-to closing lineup 1:12:53 - Weirdo lineups we want to see1:16:11 - PREDICTIONS!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 is joined by Clippers reporter Justin Russo (@flybyknite) for a deep dive into—you guessed it!—the 2025-26 Los Angeles Clippers. Please note we recorded BEFORE the Kawhi Leonard salary-cap circumvention allegations. SUBSCRIBE TO JUSTIN'S 'RUSSO WRITES' SUBSTACK HERE. TIMESTAMPS⬇️0:00 - INTRO2:18 - Takeaways from last season3:43 - Planning for the future 10:27 - Did the offseason hurt their defensive identity?15:31 - Evolution of Ivica Zubac20:29 - The fit of Bradley Beal28:14 - Optimizing Kawhi Leonard36:17 - Chris Paul's role38:50 James Harden adjustments43:39 - The frontline rotation45:13 - Impact of Bogdan Bogdanovic injury 48:16 - Will the Clippers play enough in transition? / Overall play style 54:51 - Potential pain points56:42 - Roles for Kris Dunn and Derrick Jones Jr.1:02:49 - Early impressions of Yanic Konan Niederhauser1:07:46 - Kobe Brown, Cam Christie, cutting payroll1:12:51 - Biggest weakness, strengths, under-the-radar storylines1:22:59 - Top-10 rotation 1:25:24 - Go-to crunch-time unit1:27:12 - Weirdo lineups we want to see1:29:56 - PREDICTIONS!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 is joined by CBS Sports podcast producer extraordinaire Konata Edwards (@NataTheScribe) for a deep dive into the 2025-26 Charlotte Hornets. TIMESTAMPS⬇️0:00 - INTRO2:45 - Impact of Charles Lee4:15 - The offseason9:05 - Big man rotation 11:57 - Future of LaMelo Ball18:13 - Continued development of Brandon Miller20:40 - Early impressions of Kon Knueppel23:01 - Early impressions of Liam McNeeley24:09 - Juggling a crowded a perimeter rotation 26:03 - Future of Tidjane Salaun30:27 - Early impressions of Ryan Kalkbrenner 32:05 - Can Charlotte rebound and defend?34:23 - Biggest needs, strengths, under-the-radar storylines 35:37 - Sion James / roster spots38:17 - Hornets’ approach to trade market40:57 - Top-10 rotation 45:05 - Go-to crunch time lineup46:46 - Weirdo lineups we want to see48:15 - Coverage of the Hornets50:34 - PREDICTIONSSUPPORT 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 Matt Modderno (@MattModderno) of the Bleav In Wizards podcast for a deep dive into the 2025-26 Washington Wizards. SUBSCRIBE TO BLEAV IN WIZARDS HERE. TIMESTAMPS⬇️0:00 - INTRO1:32 - State of the rebuild3:43 - Fast-track coming?7:24 - What do we make of Brian Keefe?9:43 - Continued development of Alex Sarr?16:52  - Ceiling of Bilal Coulibaly21:08 - Early impressions of Tre Johnson24:13 - Cam Whitmore’s fit29:19 - Next steps for Kyshawn George32:37 - Bub Carrington outlook37:57 - How much will Khris Middleton and CJ McCollum play?43:32 - AJ Johnson44:55 - Will Riley46:30 - Dillon Jones47:25 - Tristan Vukcevic49:08 - Malaki Branham51:28 - Biggest needs, strengths, under-the-radar storylines56:24 - Top-10 rotation59:20 - Go-to closing lineup1:00:09 - Weirdo lineups we want to see 1:01:45 - Jamir Watkins outlook1:04:33 - PREDICTIONS!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 is joined by Morten Stig Jensen (@msjnba) of The NBA Podcast to discuss teams that could pleasantly or unpleasantly surprise us next season. Here are the rules: We each get to pick two pleasant surprises, and we have to pick one unpleasant surprise. TIMESTAMPS⬇️0:00 - INTRO3:46 - Chicago Bulls8:02 - Toronto Raptors14:37 - San Antonio Spurs24:48 - Charlotte Hornets31:53 - Golden State Warriors43:52 - New York KnicksSUPPORT 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 joined by Keith Parish (@fastbreakbreak) of the Grits and Grinds podcast as well as the Fastbreak Breakfast podcast for a deep dive into the 2025-26 Memphis Grizzlies. TIMESTAMPS⬇️0:00 - INTRO1:01 - The Offseason5:05 - Desmond Bane trade8:19 - Jaren Jackson Jr.12:45 - Impact of Tuomas Iisalo19:05 - Future of Ja Morant 23:32 - Continued development of Zach Edey26:25 - Continued development of Jaylen Wells30:20 - Expectations for Cedric Coward33:22 - The ceiling of GG Jackson36:32 - Secondary guard rotation39:01 - Biggest needs, strengths, under-the-radar storyline45:39 - Top-10 rotation, best closing lineups48:36 - Weirdo lineups we want to see49:39 - PREDICTIONSSUPPORT 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]