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 3, 2026 • 27min
Favorite Giannis trades + Are the Hornets for real?
Brian Geisinger, sports reporter and Buzzbeat host, breaks down the surprising Charlotte Hornets. He highlights Brandon Miller’s growth and LaMelo Ball’s calmer, bigger-role play. They discuss lineup synergy, Moussa Diabaté’s defensive boost, and what small deadline moves Charlotte might make next.
Feb 2, 2026 • 28min
Thunder strike down Nuggets + All Star Reserves
A wild recap of Oklahoma City toppling Denver, spotlighting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s big night and OKC’s hot three-point barrage. A lively debate over All Star reserve picks and notable snubs. Trade-deadline moves get dissected, including Cleveland’s addition of Schroder and Keon Ellis. The show also breaks down Paul George’s 25-game suspension and its ripple effects.
17 snips
Jan 31, 2026 • 1h 17min
How good is the 2026 NBA Draft Class? with Sam Vecenie | Slam N Jam
Sam Vecenie, NBA draft analyst known for deep scouting, breaks down the 2026 draft class and rookie surprises. He ranks a top trio, spots surprising depth beyond them, and debates fits and medical questions. They also highlight breakout rookies like Kon and Cooper and speculate on imaginative Giannis trade scenarios.
Jan 30, 2026 • 37min
Have the Wolves solved the Thunder? + Giannis trade ideas
Eric Nehm, NBA reporter and longtime Bucks beat writer, shares his perspective on Giannis Antetokounmpo and the trade request saga. He recounts years covering Milwaukee and outlines why now feels different for Giannis. Short takes cover deadline vs offseason timing, realistic trade suitors, and why picks and market constraints complicate any deal.
Jan 29, 2026 • 31min
Is this LeBron’s final season?
Dan Woike, a Cleveland-based NBA reporter, offers local reporting and analysis on LeBron James and the Cavaliers. He breaks down the emotional tribute in Cleveland and whether it affected LeBron’s night. He touches on LeBron’s mixed retirement signals, Bronny’s debut and family legacy. He also explains Lakers front office drama, roster needs and realistic trade-deadline moves.
Jan 28, 2026 • 1h 7min
What teams NEED to make a trade | Morning Shoot Around
They rank all 30 teams into tiers based on who must make trades before the deadline. They dissect Giannis rumors and what Milwaukee might do. They debate which contenders should push now and which clubs should tank or reset. Specific teams discussed include nets, knicks, lakers, warriors, nuggets, rockets, and rebuilding squads.
Jan 28, 2026 • 28min
How far can the Pistons go?
Hunter Patterson, NBA reporter covering the Detroit Pistons, breaks down Detroit’s road win in Denver and their late-game composure. He digs into the team’s three-point struggles and how they generate paint dominance. Patterson also weighs Detroit’s trade-deadline options, comparing shooters like Trey Murphy and Michael Porter Jr., and sets the Pistons’ ceiling when healthy.
Jan 27, 2026 • 29min
Did Orlando lose its Magic?
Josh Robbins, NBA reporter and Orlando Magic analyst, breaks down why Orlando has stalled. He discusses their offensive predictability, missing shooters and spacing issues. He talks injuries to key wings, defensive dropoffs tied to roster health, and what the team might do at the trade deadline to manage payroll and competitiveness.
Jan 26, 2026 • 29min
All Star Reserves Vibes Draft
They dissect a muted Warriors-Timberwolves clash and how local events affected both teams. They recap Toronto’s upset in OKC and why the Thunder’s offense stalled. They explore the Knicks’ new small-ball identity and rebounding resurgence in Philadelphia. Then they run a playful All-Star reserves vibe draft, arguing over breakout names, defensive picks, and fan-favorite selections.
12 snips
Jan 24, 2026 • 1h 11min
Lakers in Trouble? + Bulls Need to Pick a Direction | Slam N Jam
Joel Lorenzi, staff reporter for The Athletic who covers the Chicago Bulls and NBA, breaks down Chicago’s trade-deadline posture and Billy Donovan’s influence. Short takes on Mo Bamba’s development and Alex Caruso’s shooting leap. Rapid-fire Bulls trivia and a look at roster construction, free-agency fits, and why drafting might be Chicago’s clearest path forward.
