Game Theory

Sam is joined by The Athletic's Es Baraheni to go through win total over/unders for every team in the Eastern Conference.

(00:00) INTRO

(04:18) Knicks

(18:05) Celtics

(30:10) 76ers

(42:20) Pistons

(51:05) Cavaliers

(57:15) Raptors

(1:05:45) Heat

(1:11:00) Pacers

(1:18:25) Hawks

(1:24:50) Magic

(1:31:35) Hornets

(1:35:00) Wizards

(1:43:20) Bulls

(1:47:50) Bucks

(1:53:03) Nets

(1:59:35) RECAP

Sam is joined by Grant Liffmann of NBC Sports to discuss the ongoing contract battle between the Pistons and Jalen Duren. Then, they look ahead to some of the biggest players who could hit free agency after this season, as well as some potential trade candidates. Plus, they do a rapid-fire round covering the biggest question mark for every contender.

(00:00) Intro

(01:00) Jalen Duren saga from a front office perspective


(13:45) Brandon Ingram’s Achilles injury


(17:15) Jamal Shead’s $24M extension


(18:30) New team-building trends


(21:40) How will new draft lottery rules affect the trade deadline?


(28:15) Possible big-name future free agents


(31:40) Rudy Gobert


(34:00) Michael Porter Jr.


(42:10) Tyler Herro


(46:45) Are the Warriors big-game hunting at the deadline?


(52:40) LA Clippers


(1:02:00) Speed Round: Biggest question marks for title contenders

Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon to draft the NBA names that could totally swing their team's 2026-27 season, including Paolo Banchero, LaMelo Ball, Walker Kessler, and many others. We'll also talk some injuries to Charlotte Hornets' stars, a Buddy Hield for Rob Dillingham trade, and Stephen Curry's contract extension.

(00:00) INTRO
(03:35) Steph Curry’s extension
(09:45) Buddy Hield / Rob Dillingham trade
(17:45) Hornets injuries piling up
(20:45) TOP 10 NBA X-FACTORS
(23:50) LaMelo Ball
(34:38) Paolo Banchero
(40:10) Bam Adebayo
(56:00) Fed Van Vleet
(1:03:10) Tyrese Haliburton
(1:10:10) Kyrie Irving
(1:20:00) Jaren Jackson Jr.
(1:26:30) Mitchell Robinson
(1:35:05) Walker Kessler
(1:40:30) Christian Braun

Sam is joined by The Athletic's Dave DuFour to discuss the tense contract standoff between Jalen Duren and the Pistons, and Karl-Anthony Towns' stalled extension talks with the Knicks, before creating the NBA Watchability Index where Sam and Dave highlight their 10 most watchable NBA teams for this upcoming season.

(00:00) Intro

(02:20) Jalen Duren saga continues

(14:35) Karl-Anthony Towns stalled
extension talks

(24:30) NBA Watchability Index

(27:10) Philadelphia 76ers

(38:45) Minnesota Timberwovles

(49:15) San Antonio Spurs

(59:34) New York Knicks

(1:06:08) Toronto Raptors

(1:11:49) Utah Jazz

(1:19:40) Indiana Pacers

(1:25:25) Los Angeles Lakers

(1:33:32) Washington Wizards

(1:45:15) Oklahoma City Thunder

Sam opens by talking about his move to team up with Russillo and Barstool and what people can expect from the new version of the show! Then, Bryce Simon joins to react to a bunch of guys getting new contracts, including Keyonte George and Ausar Thompson, before going through the top 10 rookies they’re most excited to watch this season.

(0:15) Sam on teaming up with Russillo and Barstool

CONTRACT EXTENSIONS

(8:00) Keyonte George
(18:48) Ausar Thompson
(27:42) Jalen Duren
(35:10) Pelle Larsson

EXCITING ROOKIES

(41:20) Caleb Wilson
(50:48) Cam Boozer
(57:30) Darryn Peterson
(1:03:25) AJ Dybantsa
(1:10:10) Keaton Wagler
(1:15:03) Brayden Burries
(1:20:37) Darius Acuff
(1:25:02) Yaxel Lendeborg
(1:27:52) Mikel Brown Jr.
(1:32:38) Cameron Carr