The Athletic NBA Daily

NBA Trade Season Begins

Dec 15, 2025
Sam Amick, a veteran NBA reporter from The Athletic, joins to discuss the pulse of the league amid trade season. He dives into OKC's emerging dominance and how their draft prowess alters rivals' strategies. The conversation turns to the Clippers' internal turmoil and concerns about their leadership. Amick evaluates potential trades involving stars like Giannis, Anthony Davis, and Jonathan Kuminga, mapping out their market prospects and the implications for various contenders. Insightful takes on what teams must do to stay competitive round out the discussion.
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INSIGHT

Patience Over Panic In Building Plans

  • Teams may choose patience over risky trades when a dominant team reshapes the title picture.
  • Sam Amick notes franchises might let expensive contracts run down instead of compromising future assets.
ANECDOTE

Preseason Hype Then Clippers Collapse

  • Sam Amick recounts seeing the Clippers beat the Kings in preseason and believing the roster had championship potential.
  • He then describes how injuries, Chris Paul's situation, and leadership voids derailed that promise.
INSIGHT

Clippers' Timing Creates Bad Optics

  • The Clippers' optics suffer from front-office moves amid an ongoing league investigation.
  • Sam Amick says extending relationships now looks strange given the timing of the probe.
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