The Athletic NBA Daily
The Athletic
Start your day with The Athletic NBA Daily – a fast, entertaining recap of the most important games and stories from the world of professional basketball with new episodes dropping Monday through Friday. Hosted by Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, and Esfandiar Baraheni with regular appearances by The Athletic’s award-winning NBA reporters. Andrew Schlecht and Alex Spears cap the week with the full-length Saturday Slam n’ Jam episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 12, 2026 • 22min
Kawhi’s Game Winner + Knicks rock Sixers
James Edwards, NBA reporter and commentator, breaks down the Knicks’ blowout of the 76ers and Jose Alvarado’s big night. He discusses what the Knicks must fix on defense and Mitchell Robinson’s changing role. Conversation also touches on Kawhi’s late-game heroics and All-Star Weekend intrigue in short, punchy takes.
Feb 11, 2026 • 52min
NBA Role Player Draft | Morning Shoot Around
Four panelists run a playful role-player draft, arguing over eligibility and surprising picks. They debate lineup construction, identify perimeter shooters and defensive glue pieces, and riff on late-round chaos selections. The conversation pivots to recent NBA suspensions and lively proposals to revive the All-Star Weekend competitions.
9 snips
Feb 11, 2026 • 27min
Pacers Embarrass Knicks + Rockets Offensive Struggles
Kelly Iko, national NBA reporter known for Rockets coverage, joins to break down Houston’s offensive struggles and playoff outlook. She discusses inconsistent three-point volume and ideas to speed the offense. They debate role adjustments, small-ball options, potential signings and how a veteran organizer could change Houston’s ceiling.
9 snips
Feb 10, 2026 • 25min
Pistons battle Hornets + Returning stars
Hunter Patterson, on-site NBA reporter for The Athletic, gives an eyewitness account from Charlotte. He describes a playoff-like crowd and a heated Detroit-Charlotte clash. He highlights the physical play, the altercation between Jalen Duren and Moussa Diabaté, and how bench depth and veteran stability shaped the aftermath.
Feb 9, 2026 • 23min
Harden’s Cavs Debut + Blatant Tanking
They break down Harden’s Cavs debut and how he fits with Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen. They react to blatant tanking in Utah and debate the ethics of benching stars. They spotlight Charlotte’s nine-game surge and LaMelo and Brandon Miller’s growth. They also dissect the messy Eastern Conference and Minnesota’s baffling inconsistency.
Feb 7, 2026 • 1h 20min
NBA Trade Awards | Slam N Jam
Fred Katz, NBA reporter and cap-sheet analyst, joins to break down the trade deadline. They hand out whimsical trade awards and debate moves that create contenders, underrated pickups, risky pick-for-player swaps, veteran flips that change team vibes, and obscure transactions fans obsess over. Multiple short takes on roster strategy, cap planning, and which deals are overrated.
14 snips
Feb 6, 2026 • 22min
Trade Deadline Recap with John Hollinger
John Hollinger, longtime NBA analyst known for advanced metrics and roster evaluation. He breaks down the Zubac-to-Pacers mechanics and why Milwaukee waited on Giannis. Short takes on trades that could change the season, surprising non-moves, the most confusing deals, and who walked away as winners and losers at the deadline.
7 snips
Feb 4, 2026 • 25min
Why did the Cavs trade for James Harden?
Law Murray, NBA reporter for The Athletic covering the Clippers, and Danny Cunningham, Locked On Cavs podcaster and Cleveland reporter, break down the Harden–Garland blockbuster. They discuss why Cleveland pursued Harden, how he might fit with Allen and Mobley, defensive and lineup questions, playoff ceiling in the East, Harden’s trade pattern, and what the Clippers hope to gain with Garland.
Feb 4, 2026 • 29min
Jaren Jackson Jr. Traded EMERGENCY POD
Keith Parish, Memphis podcaster and Grizzlies analyst, breaks down Jaren Jackson Jr.'s trade to Utah and Memphis' decision to tear down. Short takes cover the trade pieces and pick protections. They unpack how Jackson fits Utah's rebuild, questions about roster construction and tanking incentives. The panel also reacts to a simultaneous three-team deal reshaping several rosters.
Feb 3, 2026 • 29min
NBA Trade Deadline Preview with Sam Amick
Sam Amick, veteran NBA reporter with deep league sources, breaks down trade chatter and roster mechanics. He reacts to sudden Harden trade buzz and explains how contract quirks shape markets. He outlines Cleveland’s constraints, Giannis’ likely summer move and teams in the mix. Sabonis, Poeltl health, Kings roster mistakes and Pelicans chatter round out the trade deadline primer.
