The Deep 3 Podcast - Reacting To Your Craziest NBA Offseason Hot Takes | TD3 Clips

Episode Date: July 15, 2026

NBA offseason hot takes! #nba   Check out the TD3 merch: https://the-deep-3-shop.fourthwall.com/   Listen on Spotify!: https://open.spotify.com/show/3elbbqVumwqz8wlIdknsLW   Listen on Apple Podcasts!: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-deep-3-podcast/id1657940794   Follow us on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@thedeepthree   Follow us on Instagram!: https://www.instagram.com/thedeep3podcast/   Isaac's twitter: https://twitter.com/byisaacg   Mo's twitter: https://twitter.com/Mojo99_   Donnavan's twitter: https://twitter.com/Dsmoot3D Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

NBA Free Agency is mostly finished. A few moves let to happen. The LeBron James Domino hasn't fallen yet, but most things have already occurred. So we asked you guys to give us your best hot takes related to free agency and how it affects the rest of the league this year. We're going to see if it's a W or an L take.

Okay. So first off, what we got? Beesoles get ready to read. Okay. All right. If Kauai was about eight years younger, he and Scotty Barnes would be the modern-day version of Pippet and Jordan. Sure.

eight years younger that's a long time it's a decade ago that was a long time ago okay you got it's a W take you got it this is the same thing like once you start going

too far back in history you could say whatever you want well I don't know about whatever you want because he said literally be the modern version so you're saying 2018 in Kauai and Scott he wins six rings hey who might say no

come on now I mean we knew that Kauai was a good player eight years eight years ago he wasn't playing for a eight years years ago, was he? No, seven years ago, I won a championship. Eight years ago, he missed a year. But nevertheless, let's just assume he means seven years ago.

Okay, okay, okay. So you have, you have Pete Kauai, Scotty Barnes? Yeah. Is that the best duo in the league? It's, uh, no. It's one of them, but because like seven years ago or right now? 2019 Kauai and Scottie Barnes. Is that the best duo in the league?

2026, Scottie Barnes, 2019, Kauai. Wembe and somebody. Somebody, pick your poison? Yeah, either in Castle Harbor, whatever. I think I'll take 22, 22, 22, 22, Steph and Draymond over them. I mean right now, in today's league, would they be the best?

You should say Che and Chet? Or Shane Jadob? I would take Shane J-Dub. That's a combo. That's a good debate to me, I think. I would take Shane J-J-Doh. Over 2019-Kauai and Scotty Barnes? Yeah, Shea's just as good as 2019-Kauai. J-Dub's pretty similar-ish to Scotty.

Scotty's better, I think, but like it's a debate. It's close. Yeah, it's not like a wash at all. Yeah, I could go either way. I would understand the argument for the Raptors for sure. But I mean, I get the point that they're saying. So, you know, W take. And in spirit, W take.

All right. Next. The Lakers are insanely underrated. They're making it to the conference finals this year. Conference finals. So obviously, that's not a given. What has to happen for the Lakers who made the conference finals? What do you need to see for, if I tell you that does happen,

what would have happened between now and then? J. Dub and A.J. Mitchell missed the same line. Okay. Thunder get new by injuries. Yes. Like, probably. Because if you made the conference finals, you're probably just a healthy team.

Yeah. But what else? What on the Laker side on top of injury look? On the Laker side, yo, someone makes a miraculous defensively in their back court. You sign John to Caminga

and you make him into Aaron Gordon. You finally convince him to do the little things because he has a physical capability if he does a little things, he can do that type of thing. We got to stop holding out this hope for Cominga, man. You're probably right,

but that's the type of shit that needs to happen. I know you said it so many times today. I'm just like, I just that one time today. I don't know. I can't. I can't.

I haven't uttered Aaron Gordon's name a single time until now. No, no, the Kaminga League. Oh, yeah, yeah. I can't co-sign. Well, I said the Kamingo presence earlier. I don't say anything about a leap until now. I can't get behind that. I don't have a hope for it either.

But that's not a thing you need to see. And you need to see Walker Kessler, like, be the fifth best center in the league and make that magical leap next to Luka. That's a leap, man. Fifth best center? Yeah, get into like check compos. He could do that. Kamingas, Aaron.

Last year, he was, for the few games that he played, he did have, like, a lot. a eyebrow raising moments. If I tell you he's a seventh best center, I won't be shocked even a little bit. It's not hard to be a seven-best center. He might not be that. But he can be the seventh-best center.

If he can be the seventh-best center. I guess there's a world in which this could happen, but I'm not betting on it. So I think from everything that we're describing, what really is the key is, can JJ Reddick just make everybody lock in defensively and elevate everybody and put everybody in positions to where as like the some of their parts is greater than the individuals as as defenders and now you can

and now you have Walker and if he's not Rudy Gobert that's okay you're just not the worst perimeter defending group in the league and so a lot of it does uh does land at the feet of JJ JJ and Walker and you know what I do trust JJ to do that to some degree I don't know if his best case scenario for everybody but I do have faith in him to get the most out of a lot of these players yeah I mean if there's one thing that Jay just proven consistently throughout his short NBA career as a coach. He's gotten the most out of his players defensively and gimmicked up the best defense is possible. He will pull out the gimmick.

Yeah, exactly, with like the low amount of defensive talent that he's had. So I believe in that for sure. And I do believe they're going to be the best offense in the league, or at least in the running. Like I think the lineups that have Mamu, Luca and Reeves are going to be, and Kessler out there too at the five with the Lop threat, those are going to be like impossible to guard. So if you can tell me, I trust J. J. Redick on the defensive end. I trust Luca. the wide array of ball handling and shooting,

they could be a dark horse, make the conference finals. I think I'll say W take for the part that they're insanely underrated. I don't know if they make the conference finals, but I do think they're being underrated because of like name value not being as high as people want. Yeah. Okay. All right. Next take.

Isaac should go ball for the summer. W take. Think I try it? You got to try it. Just for the summer? Yeah. Bro, it's hot these days, man. You're going to Vegas this weekend.

You still going to keep the beard? Yeah, you have to. Oh, I'm not full ball. That'd be crazy. Yeah. Full ball. It's kind of. It's nuts.

But yeah. You've ruined the whole look. I'd be so mad, bro. I couldn't be here with you just like this straight looking like a kneecap. Hell no. What if I do the like fucking trendy just mustache? Don't do that. Again, no, I'd be scared.

Don't do that. I can't do it. What about your mustache? Skinny mustache and a little bit of chin hair. What is this? 2002? You can't do that. You could do some.

Pit bull. You know what I'm saying? Yeah. You could do something to me. Dalae head ass. Okay. Big chop? Big chop, yeah.

Buzz it. And grow back by the summer. This guy's name is Logan 6'7. Great W-Take. Yeah, I agree with this. All right, next. I think the Celtics are still going to be a top three seed even without Jalen Brown. Who said this?

I agree. This is a great take. Regular season-wise, I don't think they'll lose a step. Playoffs, we'll probably miss Jatham Brown. We'll see how the rest of the guys fill in his absence. But I think regular season-wise, there's still going to be a great mid-50 win team. Yeah, I agree.

And if they are, I fully expect Tatum to be an MVP on the MVP ballot, or he would be like at least number two on that list. I don't think he's going to win it because I think Lee's just aware of Wembe and he's going to just naturally grab it. But Tatum, this is like the best narrative year for you. You're setting him up. You know he's not good enough to win an MVP ever. I'm not sitting up.

What do you mean? I'm so excited to see high usage Tatum, man. I'm not going to live. Yeah. If there was ever a year, this is the year. There's never a year. He's not good enough. He's professionally just below MVP level.

He always has like a really hot start to the season. And then once we get to like January, he starts cooling down. He's always going to be at best, the third or fourth guy that gets his name in the hat. But we're going to get the votes to Shay and Wembe and Luca or whatever. Now, what if this is the source of, of beef between him and Jan and Brown? Where Janet's like, man, I've had to sacrifice all this. And JT's like, I've sacrificed. I could have been out here dominating the ball, getting even more numbers, being in

the MVP conversation, but you were here. And now we got bozos in a longhorn hat saying I can never be an MVP. Mm-hmm. Because of Jalen Brown. Mm-hmm. So I think, yeah, just did a will-win MVP this year. Fuck it, yeah, yeah. And if he does it, it's a massive disappointment and they should trade him. I agree.

Worst contract to Lee. Mm-hmm. Bum. And I personally will put money on it, so I will be personally affected if he does not accomplish this goal. And you'll personally hate him more. And that'll echo throughout the show for the next several years. 100%. Is it the same odds as the Nets

making the conference championship? No. Come on now. Damn it. Is that what you think of? Tateau? He just exposed himself on a lot of odds work. That was crazy.

All right. Next one. All right. The Timberwolves have the worst bench in the NBA as of right now. Worst than the bottom feeders. Worse in the bottom feeders? Worst in the bucks bench.

That's not a hot take. The Bucks bench has Nadeemet. Who the Timberwolves have? I don't know Terran Shannon Jr. Two of them And like we did we did all of that All the all the talking about

Nameda he might be solid Yeah it probably will be in some Some regard solid Yeah Next gen Kyle Kuzma Playing with Kyle Kuzma I have no idea What the Timberwolves are going to do

For their bench Best up yes actually I mean they do have bones highlands still Which is solid Okay I can't notice I just stopped after that I don't know anyone else coming off the bench right now. They were

depending on serious time from Mike Connolly and now he's gone. Why the fuck is he a Celtic now too? That's just so ugly. Because they paid him. He should have been back in Memphis. It's just a culture. You know, go out the right way. W.A. They do have a horrible bench amongst playoff teams. It's a serious problem and if they do fail to get back to the conference finals

and make a serious run with Lamello. Lamello will get the hate. It'll probably be because the bench. All right. Unfortunately, that's because Don't see if Mchenzo got hurt too. So it's not really their fault. Despite the Sacramento King's ineptitude in the surprisingly good season from the suns the suns still have the far bleaker feature yeah when you trade a 23 unprotected first for miles bridges yeah your your future isn't too great

maybe i do want darius acuff yeah there's still a lot of other teams like the sons a lot of other teams have the sun's picks and now that they're looking their chops and now that you can be mid and potentially get a top top pick and the sons don't get to capitalize on that at all meanwhile their big three is Booker, Booker. Green. Yeah, Jalen Green and Dylan Brooks. That's a mid three. But earlier, I talked about you should buy Houston Rocket Stock because they have a pick from the Suns.

The Phoenix Suns are an opportunity for ROI for other fan bases. They're a value ad. They're a good buy, low opportunity for other fan bases trying to invest. That's crazy. Yeah, the Kings also have all their picks too. They just, and they like wave Demarter Rosen as well. They did. That's nice.

That's productive. That's for taking efforts. Yeah. I don't know. Look at it both ways. Yeah. This is obviously like this is like getting stabbed versus getting shot. I don't know which version I'd want.

But I don't think either these teams have a bright future. So I'll give you a W take for the gumption. Yeah. I like this take. This is a great hot take. All right. Next. The East is morphing into a conference.

with no top tier contenders but with full but with full of second tier contenders full of really good teams with an obvious weakness the east will be the bloodbath conference of the next season good take w take this conference is now deep as hell and a similar way to the west has been where three through nine really are just all like very even and anybody can win everybody can lose to each other as well obviously w take yeah i think there's legitimately like three through nine i'll even say like three through ten you could look at this team but yeah y'all you should have made the playoffs. Stop throwing the hawks in there. Stop squeezing them in a turn. We don't care. We don't care. We don't care. We don't care.

We don't care. And even the Wizards, too. Like, all these teams are decent. Yeah, through 10, the east is better. Yeah. Then the West? Yeah. I think that 10, 9, and 8 is like, that quality is better.

Better. Better. So. The bottom three are better for sure. The bottom three could be better because with thought of experiment's sake, let's say 3 through 10 in the west is Lakers, Nuggets, Timberwolves, Rockets, pulled the standings.

That's our top four is pretty tough. And then who would be after that? Suns, if we're going off last year. NBA teams, one second. Jazz. They're going to be pretty respectable now. NBA teams. I'm going to take forever pull the standings.

Clippers are out of it. What about the Warriors get LeBron? They're back in that? I don't know if that's going to happen. Who would I miss? Mavericks. Are they going to be respectable? You're going to be decent

Yeah You're going to be decent Currie's back now So I got to seven Naming good teams Eight 9 and 10 might be like Trailblazers Warriors

Mavericks Does the 8 through 10 in the east move you more I think so So If we're just So one and two Last year

We're Detroit and Boston Let's just put the Knicks In that first two Yep And then Boston You want to keep Boston To Boston 2

So we got Pistons, Cavs Raptors 76ers As the next four Miami Indiana Indiana

oh okay the mid tears special yeah for these for sure I think I think the same way and then

in the same way that we're saying oh Utah is going to be respectable I feel the same way about Washington jumping up this year I think they're

going to be good Charlotte I think they might take a slight step back but they're also still like a good team Orlando they're frustrating but they're

going to win 45 games they're going to be there I do think that outside of the top two contenders, the East is better. Fair enough. All right. Too bad those top two contenders are crazy.

The Pistons finish outside the top four in the East next year. Ooh, that's a hot take. Right now, I agree with this. And right now, I'm thinking that the Pistons might be a playing team. Whoa. Oh, no. Come on. I'm right now.

60 games to playing team. Right now. You got to stand on this one. Because, first, again, because of how deep the East is, and because of where the NICs are, because of the fact that the Pace is, because of the next are, because of the Haysers are coming back. I do think it is a very real possibility that the Pistons are outside the top six next year.

60 to top to not top six is a crazy. Hey man, life comes out you fast. And Tobias Harris moves you that much? Listen. He's got better. The only way that he didn't get that much better. He's got better.

He didn't get leaps and bounds better. The only way that's possible to me is that someone like Cade misses like, I don't know, 20 games or 15 games or something like that. Bro, he'd be missed 40. I'm not, listen, if we, so we did our prediction. right now. I might not lock that in, but I... You're just talking. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Time. Time. I'm saying like, I'm not, we're in freaking July. I'm not

100%. I'm a lot of just talk right now. Yeah. I'm not. I'm not 100% on that they are going to finish outside the top six. But I do think that right now, I think I am, I'm leaning more so that they will do that instead of not. You're still workshopping the thought? I need to, I need to see if I'm If I'm going to go all the way on it. But like... I see what you mean. A lot of teams are going to get better. Not a lot of teams are going to get more than 60 wins, though.

And let's say they fall off a little bit. They're not getting 60 wins. Yeah, for sure. I don't think they're... I know why you say that, because I agree. They're obviously something lackluster. What really has changed tangibly to why they can't just do the exact same thing? Like, their defense is not going to move at all.

And offensively, they did nothing but had talent shooting. And if we're saying the East is a little bit better so they lose some of these games against teams that are better now, it's like 56 wins. Like 56 wins doesn't really. gets you i don't i don't know if they get to 55 for what reason other than vibes 55 now the vibes are bad but beef stew not walk through that door man true i think that's a reason i could i could be sold on that i think i i think how important is beef stew like i like him but not very much he's the culture no i think i think he is i think he is some somewhat important okay a win 55 wins

yeah a eight but like and maybe i'm just higher on on on on philly and them jumping up but when we get to i think my top four right now would be new york boston Philly, Indiana. They really should have traded for Jaylon Brown and I think about it. Who? Like the pistons. Trade Jayland-Durin? Sure.

Whatever it takes to get Jaylon Brown. That's what it takes. That's a great, great fit on the psychade. That's my top four right now. Okay. Next up. Apparently with how Brad Stevens is moving.

Oh, what it took is Ron Holland. Next. After the free agency signings and off-season moves, the Brooklyn Nets have made, they will be one of the top. Take Detroit out the topics. Put Brooklyn in there. And we're making 40K.

No, not even. Now that works, but it's okay. He doesn't all again. It's okay. Oh, yeah. Is that what you said? They win the finals, right? They have to win the Eastern Conference.

Yeah, that's what I'm saying. Okay. Yeah, clearly those Yeager Joman Fit pics and TikToks moved this guy. Clearly he saw the tough fits. He saw the buttoned up shirts.

He saw the matcha and he was like, that's a future superstar. And who am I to deny somebody to have optimism based off a vibes? Who is me?

And based off of aura. Who am I? I haven't seen a lot of second year players have that kind of aura leap. Maybe that should mean something. Julius Randall come in giving you some paint touches.

Yeager Jemman, O'Aleep. Mikhail Brown Jr. exists. we can get something going here that's a cool little nine seed who's to say that can't be a six seed six year

yo there has to be who's to say an insane injury run in the Eastern Conference are you to say hey man why not them I would why not them

why not them I would stand on all 10 fucking give me three new toes 13 that they're not doing it six seed what this is good hot take though I like it

all I'm hearing is Mo he's them stay away from them somebody I feel like you'd be less stable with 13 toes yeah I would need 14 that's mad on even what do you mean of course I'll be unstable I mean because some people have like 9 toes then I'm like fine but like even

they're probably unstable no and like they're fine they're fine they're not dead but like they're probably less stable than you are yeah of course do you think that's seven on set up Real question. What is wrong with you?

Real question right now. Do you think that you would be more stable with 10 toes as opposed to 13 just because it's like even an eye and a eye? You know. Oh shit! Oh, shit. Exactly. Probably.

Actually. I'll be more stable with 10. Really? You're completely stable with 10 toes. There's no issue here. of stability so like yeah do I think but if if I'm giving you an extra toe on each side and not and that was just a little bit more balanced you don't think that the extra toe on each side plus plus then they extra one I don't I don't think that

that was stable can you get though I think about the rest of my body you're gonna overcompensating but like for that I don't think so because you already have one more and so and so just going tip over with an extra so it has to be used though it can't be just chilling I don't know that it works so again so you think that you would be more stable with just 10 toes as opposed to 13? Yes. I don't think it's just like additive that you add until you get X percent more stable.

I don't know where this state. It's like it's not a video game where I'm powering up. I don't know where the stable value out comes from. That's so linear. Why? Could you have more feet to like put on the ground and like keep your like if you're standing on your foot? That could make sense.

Huh? Is my foot growing? Yeah. Proportionally. Yeah. Well, that's a different statement because now the foot grows wider than we can talk. We got to have some 13 12 viewers out here, man.

They'll let us know. Yeah, I'm sure we have 13, viewers. Let us know. Let us know. Let us know. How stable are you? Yeah.

All right. Next. Yannis is in the same situation than before he got to. That's tough. This is mean. That's mean. I can't just hope it's not the case. Because that is.

It's mean to ban. It's mean to ban. Calling him mouse turner. My bad. Call him Kyle Kuzma. Fuck. Okay. Yeah. So I don't think it's the worst because also even if the players were the same,

he was being coached by Doc Rivers last year and now supposed to just coaching it. So it is a better situation hands down. And so like you got the Ryan Rylins leap last year. There's going to be two of those this year. They're going to find them

in the second round probably. Yeah. They're going to like sacrifice several animals to make them come into existence. Yeah. You got the goat magic on your side now. They're doing all the all the video in Miami. They know all that. Yes, for sure. Bleeding goats. So no, when you're bleeding goats in Pat

Riley's office, you can't be in the same situations before. Elthake. I'm looking out for everybody with Tom, but I think I have homeless men just doing back to back to back, triples, triples, triples, triples, triples, doubles. Can you do something for me? Everybody.

Who's up next? Rue Hachamora will be an all-star next year. You are, Atchamah. That is an original sentence. No one's ever said this. What does he have to do to be an all-star next year? Not since he was like year one in Washington and Wizard fans were like, oh yeah, he's going to

even then. Even then, I don't think people were saying Ruri Hachimor is going to be an all-star next year. I've never heard anyone say that in their entire life, even as a draft prospect. New sentences are being formed. They've never been formed before. Rui does have a good triple threat, though.

I would say that. Yeah, it's like a fake triple threat. He's just going to shoot. Exactly. It's like when Shangoon does a pump fakes people fall for, he just lifts his arm up. Why are you jumping at that? Yeah, facts.

That's Rui's triple threat. You've seen that, um, Leukadontas meme where Josh Giddy just, um, fakes hell out. Luke was like, It's going to be like that. So, L take, but W original sentence.

It's not a lot of those these days. It's hard to say things that nobody's ever said before. You accomplish that. True. Innovated. Good for you, W. All right, next. Celtics and Sixers will remain in about the same spots next year.

Both will have similar regular season performance as this year, and both will be first or second round exits. That'd be quite the funny outcome. If we all this talk about the Jalen Brown trade and have nothing changes, nobody's moved either way by Jalen Brown or Paul George. That would be catastrophic for the six years. I thought I was a fan. I'd be so disappointed if you just, again,

was like a 44 or 45 win team. And I wanted to happen. So W take. W.T. Walker Kessler will have a breakout season and shine alongside Luca, cementing himself as a top five center in today's NBA. This is too much propaganda.

W. This is too much propaganda. That's a good take. No. I'll guess he's like the eighth or ninth best center, conservatively. Five is possible. I'm going to guess he's like,

oh, this guy's a little bit better. better than Jared Allen. I mean, that could be like the combo. Who are the five best centers in the league right now? Wemby. Wemby, Yokic, cat, number three.

Bam's there, too. Are we counting Anthony Davis as a center? We can. You wouldn't want to be. He's not in my top five right now. Grudgeoning, he's probably number four. Bam,

Chet. That's like the top tier. Go bear. Go bear, seven. That's the top tier. Whatever order. Not on order. Those are the seven elite centers

in the league right now. Can he be eight? Man, it's a bonus. he can damn sure be better than Sabon Shangoon? Can he be as good as Shangoon? That's the question. Probably. Yeah, it'll look different for sure.

Yeah, but he could probably get there. That level of talent, yeah. Yeah, that's not top five. That's not the original question here. I guess you lose L take, but we're moving it down and saying can he be in Sabonis talks is like the eighth best center, W-take. I can see it happening. All right, next. Rui did a whole Shohei Otani and it's awesome.

What's that mean? What does that mean? did a reverse. He did a reverse Bissol. What do you think that means, Bissol's? That's something to do with Asians,

but I don't, that was so fucking racist of you. What this means is changing Los Angeles teams. And you assume this about Asians. I mean, it's kind of the same thing.

What? Is it, it's an Asian? Dig, though. Yeah. Dick. Yeah.

I'm not going to say here and say that rude. Not going to say that rude. mean it's undeniable it's actually the same thing it's an Asian changing changing LA team where was showing before he was in Anaheim he was in the little brother L-A team to move to the big brother yeah but Ruri did the reverse he went from the from the big brother to the little brother okay this is not even how to take this is just facts I tried throwing you into the bus he grabbed you he saved you hell yeah I tried putting in a limelight see how you to react he didn't want to see that you got a real ally is my all team

man. Yep. All right, next. And it's awesome as funny. Yeah. John Morant will be top 20 player. You lost me. John Moran will be a top 20 player again.

He's lost up to the... Oh my God. He's... Stop. Yeah. Stop. Yeah. Stop.

I won't look. I won't look. He's lost to athleticism. Hell, yeah. It was very shifty. And an amazing light. Maymaker. That's what it says. If he can get to like 50, 35, 85,

splits, I can easily see him leading Portland to a top six. 50? 50% from the field with his shot diet? Damn. He can be in generous with the 35, too. Did he shoot 50 in 2022? I don't think he ever did. That's crazy. If John Wren can be the best he's ever been,

despite having no athleticism, no burst, and none of the abilities before, he can be all right. Turn from the lowest point of his career. His career high is 49.3%. Okay. All right. around there. And guess what?

In that year, he wasn't at the 35 that he just projected. He's at 34. Okay. 85% from the line. He wasn't at 85 either. He's at 76. Yeah, I know.

I'm like, yo, he's not an 85% of it at all. So, yeah, a career year from John Morant is on the way. He could be the best version of himself after falling off. The trail budget can be a six-eat. Let's get John Morant. Let's get John Morant stock in the building.

Apparently it's going to happen. Yeah. He's now just, Shea. We're going to. broke man I'm losing everything yeah that's the last one that's the last one that's the last one