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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

In this edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie & Bryce Simon going through the 2023 Draft Class & prediction all potential rookie extensions for each eligible player ahead of next months deadline. (0:00) INTRO (1:00) Mock Rookie Extensions (Preview) (11:30) Brandon Miller (27:16) Scoot Henderson (37:18) Amen Thompson (reaction to his extension) (39:28) Ausar Thompson (53:25) Anthony Black (1:04:10) Bilal Coulibaly (1:15:27) Jarace Walker (1:19:46) Taylor Hendricks (1:21:24) Cason Wallace (1:36:20) Dereck Lively II (1:39:10) Gradey Dick, Jordan Hawkins, Kobe Bufkin (1:39:50) Keyonte George (1:53:43) Jaime Jaquez Jr. (2:01:10) Brandin Podziemski (2:11:39) Noah Clowney (2:14:30) Remaining Potential Extensions (2:22:23) OUTRO CHECK OUT THE ⁠⁠VIDEO VERSION⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OF THE FULL LIVE SHOW ON THE GAME THEORY ⁠⁠YOUTUBE CHANNEL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! ⁠⁠SIGN UP FOR BONUS NBA DRAFT FILM BREAKDOWNS & DISCUSSIONS ON SUBSTACK!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Pablo Torre Clippers investigation has come to a final conclusion, where the Clippers have received the worst punishment in NBA history. The Athletic's Law Murray joins the show to discuss what this all means, why the league came down so hard on the Clippers, and where the team goes from here. CHECK OUT THE ⁠⁠VIDEO VERSION⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OF THE FULL LIVE SHOW ON THE GAME THEORY ⁠⁠YOUTUBE CHANNEL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! ⁠⁠SIGN UP FOR BONUS NBA DRAFT FILM BREAKDOWNS & DISCUSSIONS ON SUBSTACK!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sam Vecenie, a Senior NBA Writer at The Athletic, talks all about basketball. From the NBA, to the NBA Draft, to college hoops and even some high school, Vecenie has you covered in this show. (00:00) INTRO (2:10) Peyton Watson signed & traded to Cavaliers in 3-team trade (Max Strus to LAC) (29:09) What's next for Denver after losing Peyton Watson? (48:04) Jonathan Kuminga signs with Timberwolves (1:07:30) Quince! (1:09:05) Shopify! (1:10:21) Josh Green traded to Jazz for Cody Williams & John Konchar (1:23:50) Klay Thompson signs with Heat (1:34:04) Bennedict Mathurin signs with Pelicans (1:43:04) OUTRO CHECK OUT THE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VIDEO VERSION⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OF THE FULL LIVE SHOW ON THE GAME THEORY ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YOUTUBE CHANNEL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SIGN UP FOR BONUS NBA DRAFT FILM BREAKDOWNS & DISCUSSIONS ON SUBSTACK!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon to continue their annual countdown of the best defenders in the NBA today! Here in part 2, they go from #12 to #1 (if you missed part 1 counting down #25 to #13, check out the previous episode that aired last Sunday).

In this edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon for their annual countdown of the best defenders in the NBA today! Here in part 1, they cover #25 to #13 (the rest of the list can be heard in part 2 next Sunday).

In this edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie & Bryce Simon begin with their reactions to the stunning Lakers sale before going through a few NBA news topics & taking a looking a potential FA destinations & contract extensions. (0:00) INTRO (3:11) Lakers Sale (REACTION) (33:05) Russell Westbrook Retires (49:30) Bradley Beal re-signs w/ Clippers (57:39) Remaing Free Agents (1:10:43) Vet Extension Predictions (1:37:27) OUTRO CHECK OUT THE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VIDEO VERSION⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OF THE FULL LIVE SHOW ON THE GAME THEORY ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YOUTUBE CHANNEL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SIGN UP FOR BONUS NBA DRAFT FILM BREAKDOWNS & DISCUSSIONS ON SUBSTACK!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sam Vecenie, a Senior NBA Writer at The Athletic, talks all about basketball. From the NBA, to the NBA Draft, to college hoops and even some high school, Vecenie has you covered in this show. (0:00) INTRO (4:00 )Miami Heat Offseason Grade (19:08) Charlotte Hornets Offseason Grade (35:36) Atlanta Hawks Offseason Grade (43:54) Utah Jazz Offseason Grade (51:34) Portland Trail Blazers Offseason Grade (1:06:05) Oklahoma City Thunder Offseason Grade (1:16:42) Denver Nuggets Offseason Grade (1:18:52) Minnesota Timberwolves Offseason Grade (1:30:55) Milwaukee Bucks Offseason Grade (1:42:38) Chicago Bulls Offseason Grade (1:51:43) Cleveland Cavaliers Offseason Grade (1:56:44) Indiana Pacers Offseason Grade (2:01:11) Detroit Pistons Offseason Grade (2:21:35 OUTRO) CHECK OUT THE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VIDEO VERSION⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OF THE FULL LIVE SHOW ON THE GAME THEORY ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YOUTUBE CHANNEL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SIGN UP FOR BONUS NBA DRAFT FILM BREAKDOWNS & DISCUSSIONS ON SUBSTACK!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sam Vecenie, a Senior NBA Writer at The Athletic, talks all about basketball. From the NBA, to the NBA Draft, to college hoops and even some high school, Vecenie has you covered in this show. (0:00) INTRO (1:27) Dillon Brooks extends with Suns (10:31) Peyton Watson sign & trade scenarios (35:45) Los Angeles Lakers Offseason Grade (46:45) Los Angeles Clippers Offseason Grade (56:46) San Antonio Spurs Offseason Grade (1:04:28) Dallas Mavericks Offseason Grade (1:11:01) New Orleans Pelicans Offseason Grade (1:17:45) Houston Rockets Offseason Grade (1:24:13) Memphis Grizzlies Offseason Grade (1:32:18) Orlando Magic Offseason Grade (1:36:28) Washington Wizards Offseason Grade (1:49:02) OUTRO CHECK OUT THE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VIDEO VERSION⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OF THE FULL LIVE SHOW ON THE GAME THEORY ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YOUTUBE CHANNEL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SIGN UP FOR BONUS NBA DRAFT FILM BREAKDOWNS & DISCUSSIONS ON SUBSTACK!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sam Vecenie, a Senior NBA Writer at The Athletic, talks all about basketball. From the NBA, to the NBA Draft, to college hoops and even some high school, Vecenie has you covered in this show. (0:00) Intro (1:55) Naji Marshall Extension with Dallas (19:55) Offseason Grades! (22:05) Philadelphia 76ers (31:30) Toronto Raptors (40:05) New York Knicks (47:55) Boston Celtics (58:28) Brooklyn Nets (1:10:55) Phoenix Suns (1:18:00) Sacramento Kings (1:21:58) Golden State Warriors (1:29:00) Quick College Basketball Mess Thoughts CHECK OUT THE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VIDEO VERSION⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OF THE FULL LIVE SHOW ON THE GAME THEORY ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YOUTUBE CHANNEL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SIGN UP FOR BONUS NBA DRAFT FILM BREAKDOWNS & DISCUSSIONS ON SUBSTACK!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon to have a lengthy discussion about the Golden State Warriors and what's next for the premier franchise of the last 10 years after losing out on LeBron James. (0:00) INTRO (0:30) Is the Golden State Warriors window officially closed? What's next after losing out on Lebron? (1:12:14) Kentavious Caldwell-Pope signs with 76ers (1:20:00) The Clippers offseason is on hold until Kawhi's fate is decided (1:33:32) OUTRO CHECK OUT THE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VIDEO VERSION⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OF THE FULL LIVE SHOW ON THE GAME THEORY ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YOUTUBE CHANNEL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SIGN UP FOR BONUS NBA DRAFT FILM BREAKDOWNS & DISCUSSIONS ON SUBSTACK!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon to discuss several NBA restricted free agents, like Peyton Watson, Jalen Duren, Ben Mathurin & more. (0:00) INTRO (4:20) Will the Nuggets match the Spencer Jones offer sheet from OKC? (22:14) Will they re-sign Peyton Watson? (47:37) Jordan Walsh extends with Celtics (51:20) Jalen Duran (1:14:49) Ben Mathurin (1:28:51 ) Mario Hezonja signs with Cavaliers (1:33:23) OUTRO CHECK OUT THE ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VIDEO VERSION⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OF THE FULL LIVE SHOW ON THE GAME THEORY ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YOUTUBE CHANNEL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SIGN UP FOR BONUS NBA DRAFT FILM BREAKDOWNS & DISCUSSIONS ON SUBSTACK!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠