The Athletic NBA Daily

The Minnesota Timberwolves swung for the fences with a LaMelo Ball for Naz Reid swap with the Charlotte Hornets. Jon Krawczynski, the Athletic's Timberwolves beat writer, joins Dave DuFour to break down LaMelo's fit with Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert, what the Hornets future is like with Naz Reid, and Micah Nori as head coach of the Portland Trailblazers.Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/eme2tPcUM2Host: Dave DuFourWith: Jon KrawczynskiExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Producer: Alex Oliver

LaMelo Ball is one of the most exciting players in the NBA and now he is teammates with Anthony Edwards in Minnesota. Andrew Schlecht and Es Baraheni break down the LaMelo for Naz Reid trade and how it will affect the present and future for the Wolves and Hornets. Host: Andrew SchlechtWith: Es BaraheniProducer: Andrew Schlecht

The trade rumors are swirling around LaMelo Ball, Kawhi Leonard, and Jaylen Brown. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni tie a bow on the 2026 NBA Draft, discuss Austin Reaves new contract, and take a look at trade fits for Ball, Leonard, and Brown.Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/eme2tPcUM2Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es BaraheniExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Producer: Alex Oliver

The first round of the NBA Draft is OVER and Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers are here to break it all down for you with the best NBA Draft expert in Sam Vecenie they give out draft awards for the following categories: 1) Snug as a Bug Awarda. This award goes to your favorite player/team fit in the entire draft.2) League Pass Leap Awarda. This award goes to the team who most improved their watchability next season.3) Not Like This Awarda. This award goes to the prospect that you don't necessarily dislike, but you don't love the situation they ended up in.4) Deep Impact Awarda. This award goes to the player selected in deep in the first round that you think will make the biggest impact in Year 1.5) Miffed and Peeved Awarda. This award goes to the fanbase that we think is most frustrated after draft night.6) Pick 31 Awarda. This award goes to the player that you would select with the first pick of Day 2.7) Slam and Jam Best Draft Awarda. This award goes to the team that we think had the best overall draft.Host: Andrew Schlecht and Alex SpeersWith: Sam VecenieProducer: Andrew SchlechtVideo: Alex Oliver

Giannis was traded to the Heat and we are here to break it all down. Dave DuFour, Es Baraheni, Zena Keita and Andrew Schlecht discuss who won the trade, if the Heat are contenders, and if the Bucks can start their rebuild from this trade and more. In part 2 we discuss the Randall trade to the Nets and what the Wolves are doing to improve their standing in the West. Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni, Zena Keita, and Andrew SchlechtProducer: Andrew Schlecht

The NBA Draft is just days away and Es Baraheni is here with guest and NBA Draft expert Ben Pfeifer to discuss the draft through a first round mock draft. Es and Ben discuss which players will go in the lottery, and how good the 2026 draft class is. Why Cam Boozer, AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson could change franchises. Which guard in the 5-10 range will make the biggest difference? Which late lottery pick is the biggest sleeper?Host: Es BaraheniWith: Ben PfeiferProducer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Edit: Alex Oliver

The 2026 NBA Draft has been called one of the deepest in recent years and Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers are back for another episode of the Saturday Slam N Jam. This time Sam Vecenie from the Athletic joins to help walk the guys through his most recent mock draft and dissect it with questions they have about multiple draft prospects. Is Caleb Wilson’s downside being ignored? Why is Yaxel falling on draft boards? Morez on the rise? And which late round prospects could make an impact? Then the guys finish with another round of Andrew vs. the Beat.Host: Andrew Schlecht and Alex SpeersWith: Sam VecenieProducer: Andrew SchlechtVideo Producer: Monica Compton

Trade chatter is heating up and Es Baraheni and Andrew Schlecht discuss multiple trade scenarios including trades with Giannis, the Oklahoma City Thunder trading up in the draft, the Warriors upgrading their roster, and much more.Join our Discord!: https://discord.gg/eme2tPcUM2Host: Es BaraheniWith: Andrew SchlechtProducer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Producer: Alex Oliver

Will Giannis finally be traded before next week's NBA Draft? Dave DuFour, Zena Keita and Sam Amick discuss Mike Brown's evolution as a coach, how the Knicks won, and what happens next for De'Aaron Fox and the Spurs. Then, the gang takes a look at the trade market, Jaylen Brown's value, and the drama in Utah with Walker Kessler.Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/eme2tPcUM2Host: Dave DuFourWith: Zena Keita and Sam AmickExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Producer: Alex Oliver