The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Kawhi Leonard, Lakers, Nets, and NBA free agency

Episode Date: July 1, 2019

Colin explains why the Brooklyn Nets are more interesting than good after getting Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. He goes on to say that Kawhi Leonard has the power to shape the NBA by simply choosing which team to sign with. Also the latest on NBA free agency and how close the Los Angeles Lakers are to forming a super team. Guests include Chris Broussard, Arash Markazi, Charles Barkley, and Ric Bucher.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Yesterday, it was like God created the Earth. It was just planets moving and dust storms and craziness. One hour from now where Colin was right, where Colin was wrong, and Joy Taylor joining me. That was a lot of fun yesterday. It was, but I mean, it's what we expected. We expected chaos and the NBA delivered. Yeah, as we said, the NFL, we watch it and bet it.

The NBA, we talk about it. That was maybe the best NBA day in a year, and there was no game. it was fantastic. Well, pretend your Kawhi Leonard this morning. Pretend your Kauai Leonard this morning.

Raptors want you. Clippers want you. Lakers want you. Everybody else is moved. I mean, there's some other players out there, but you're the guy now. We said last week, patience is underrated.

Now everybody's moved around. And Kauai Leonard controls the league. Okay, and as dysfunctional as the Lakers have been, don't they have the best pitch? Don't they have the best pitch? Sun, history, titles, LeBron, Home, Help, America, number one NBA brand. I mean, what's the knock on the Lakers pitch this morning? Well, they're not going to have a lot of depth.

Not sure they'll need it. Well, their front office, I don't know, good enough to find cap space, get AD and potentially Kauai. This morning, as dysfunctional as they've been, if they sign Kauai, it feels like Nick Saban going to Bama. A sleeping giant got the right coach. That's what it feels like to me. I mean, you go to the Lakers.

Third title, third team. Finally play with two other stars. Best shoe brand for you. I don't think there's a lot of knocks against the Lakers this morning. The Clippers, if I was pitching against the Clippers, I could say, look at their history. What have they ever done? I can look at the Raptors. They're in another country.

Those are real, real, those land. Like players, a lot of players have left Toronto. Good players in their prime. Clippers, what have they done? The knock on the Lakers, well, they won't have a bench. Well, I mean, their front office is good enough to get Capspace AD and Kauai. Can't be that terrible. And ask yourself this.

If Kauai chooses the Lakers, it is now the only team of the three where he can play with multiple stars. Doesn't he want that? Didn't he take 22 games off for load management? Wasn't the reason I got to get ready for the playoffs. That seating is not that important. I got to get ready and be healthy for the playoffs. Well, you can certainly do that with LeBron and AD. You can take 15 games off.

It's not like fans are going to complain. They only get LeBron Kuzma and AD. So the Lakers, to me, this morning, should be front runners. And for anybody denying Kauai's power in this league, with one move to the Lakers, he can wipe out league parity, crush the Clippers' soul, and end the Raptor's title window. And here's another thing that patience did for him. He makes Kevin Durant in Brooklyn much less relevant.

Think about all those moves yesterday. Jimmy Butler to Miami, Kemma to the Celtics, and DeAngelo Russell to the Warriors, and Al Horford goes to the Sixers. And I liked a lot of these moves. I liked a lot of the moves. A lot of good front offices.

But ask yourself this. Kauai goes to the Lakers. We're not talking. talking about the Nets next year. Patience is underrated. Wait for the dust to settle. He can wreck or

marginalize or shrink all the other moves. Everybody in the league just got their car detailed and Kauai's the sprinkler about to go on right next to it. There's three options for him. I would contend this morning

and I'm not saying this because I'm in L.A. It's the best pitch. multiple stars, sun, home, help, shoes, brand. The knock on it is? Well, the front office of the Lakers is apparently good enough to get AD and now Kauai. Now let me shift to another team and another coast, Brooklyn. Don't confuse interesting with great. I think Brooklyn will be interesting.

I never think Kyrie, Durant, Spencer Dinwiddie, and DeAndre Jordan will be great. This is an organization that nobody's ever paid attention to. So they have a new outfit and a parrot on their shoulder and a cool hat and they'll walk into the party now because the Knicks whiffed and they're going to be fascinating. They're never going to be great. Kyrie Irving has missed 66 games in three years and has never proven to be easy to coach or a great leader without LeBron. KD has missed 48 games in three years. He won't play and most believe he's 85% off the Achilles injury.

And DeAndre Jordan don't really get it. I think they acquired him for fouls because they have a young big named Jared Allen. They got him to foul Joel Embed. I don't know. interesting? Absolutely. Better than last year? Oh, yes. I mean, Michigan football with Jim Harbaugh. It has been absolutely interesting. But it hasn't won any championships. Brooklyn is built to get attention. There are two stars, Kyrie and Kevin Durant, both regularly

spar with the media. They're going to get attention. And I think they're going to like it because nobody has ever paid attention to him. But now you're going to get a year of Kyrie Bayam's and then he's just as supposed to hand it over to Kevin Durant. Now, I think he's going to get used to getting talked about and getting to shoot when he wants and getting the points he wants. And no mature Al Horford next to him, no Brad Stevens, it's Kenny Atkinson. Okay. I mean, all right. I've seen Kyrie Irving lead teams without LeBron.

I saw him do it in Cleveland pre-Lebron. I saw him do it in Boston. I saw him do it with a better coach. I think we're confusing, interesting with great. 66 games missed in three years. Harder to coach. Kevin Durant, 48 missed games. Warriors won a lot of games without him.

I can make an argument if just Clay Thompson would have been healthy. The Warriors would have gone to game seven of the finals without him. They swept Portland without him. They beat Houston on the road without him. I like Kevin Durant. But it's not like the Warriors drive. up when he didn't play. They dried up because Clay Thompson got hurt and KD

was out and Kvon Looney got hurt and Boogie was 70% and Iggy was 60%. I don't buy this Brooklyn thing and I think when Kauai signs with the Lakers if that happens it really shrinks it even in terms of interesting.

All right, it is a crazy, crazy day. We've got obviously a premier star hanging out there in Kauai Leonard. He made aside in the next day or two where he's going. There's a lot of ramifications on one of the later moves made yesterday, the Golden State Warriors and DeAngelo Russell.

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Generally, there's a rule that works in every business in America that 8 to 10% of the people make 90% of the money. And we see it right now in American sports, where it's Alabama, Clemson in college football, the Patriots in the NFL, Yukon Women's Basketball, Apple, you know, Apple up in Silicon Valley, Facebook and Google on the Internet. Very few people, usually almost always really smart, run leagues. Just the way it works.

Same college basketball teams generally year after year, number one. And when I look at the Golden State Warriors, everybody's freaking out about Kevin Durant. But is Bob Meyer still the GM, is Steve Kirst? still the coach. Is Steph Curry, Clay Thompson, and Draymond Green, the Corps 5 still there? Yes. And by the way, Clay Thompson will be back by late February or early March. Plus, they have a new arena with new energy and they just got an all-star guard. Be very careful about selling the Golden State Warriors. This morning, I believe yesterday, there's two ways to look at getting DeAngelo Russell. This is the least realistic way, because I think they got him to move him. I think

they got him to be viable to the All-Star break and then trade him for a big. And there's a lot of teams like Philadelphia who don't have enough shooters but have a surplus of bigs. Maybe they make a deal. But let's say DiAngelo Russell stays for a year. And then they move him, right? So Clay Thompson comes back in late February, has seven to eight weeks to get ready for the playoffs.

I have Steph, DeAngelo Russell, Clay Thompson, Draymond Green, Jordan Bell, Sean Livingston, Alfonso McKinney. They drafted three guys. If one of them hits off the bench, I've got a great system, a great head coach, and a team that was 35 and 8 without Kevin Durant. I'll take my chances. Yeah, I think Utah and Denver and San Antonio are interesting.

I think Houston and the Clippers are fun. This team, if Clay Thompson doesn't get hurt, probably gets to a game seven of the NBA finals without Kevin. Durant swept Portland without Kevin Durant. The sky is not falling. Now, the downside is they're going to lose Kvon Looney, a really good young player. Not great. Not a star.

Fits sort of their idea of a big. He's a mobile kind of big guy. Yes, that hurts. But they did get an all-star and now have the most dangerous backcourt again in the NBA. Stefan DiAngelo Russell, they'll add Clay Thompson. Listen, the West is full of a bunch of good. Unless Kauai signs with the Lakers, there's no great here. I'm going to have the most experienced team, arguably the best coach team, the best shooting team,

the most experienced team, the most energized team with a new arena with something to prove minus KD, they're fine. You start looking around sports. Have you ever noticed the same teams are dominating? whether it's the United States Women's National Team, the New England Patriots, Bama and Clemson, the same people dominate sports. Why? Because smart wins. Golden State's core five guys.

They still got them all. Draymond, Clay, Steph, Bob, and Steve. I'm not counting the owner. Not as hot on him, but he's certainly capable. So the DeAngelo Russell thing, I don't think it's a long-term fit, but even if they did it for a year, you'll be able to trade DeAngelo Russell. He is a scoring guard. I know the Warriors said to themselves, okay, we lost KD.

Let's just get another asset. Does it mean we're going to keep every asset? Not every stock you buy, you hold forever. Not all of them are IBM or Microsoft. A lot of times you flip stuff. You buy a house, you flip it. You buy a stock, you flip it. You get an asset, you flip it.

DeAngelo Russell is a real asset in this league. The Lakers were interested. The Warriors signed him. The Nets liked him. The T-wolves wanted him. They just didn't want to be empty-handed. So if you're all burying the Warriors this morning, I trust smart. I still think they're in a great spot, even in the improved and loaded West.

Joy Taylor with the news. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. Oh, the NBA's free agency mania is officially here. And the deal is getting finalized. Leagues balance of power shifting and odds makers are adjusting their 2020 NBA title odds. So the current odds are kind of a little surprising.

It seems like Vegas might know something we don't know because the bucks have the second best odds. Hmm. I got to tell you, when I look at those odds, though, that tells you the Lakers. No, that doesn't tell you the Lakers land Kauai. because Toronto's still a top 6-7 team. But I would put Toronto over the bucks if Kauai stays, no? I think what they're telling you, I think these odds are they don't know where Kauai's going odds. So that's what they're telling us.

If anyone's guests, they're telling us what we all think, which is what nobody knows what Kauai is going to do. See, this is where I disagree. And Joy, I disagree vehemently in this. If the Lakers, because they've had to wait on Kauai, here's what I believe is going to happen. if they don't get Kauai, they're going to sign Danny Green and Rondo, J.R. Smith, and a lot of, it's a pawn shop. So I think that's a playoff team. I don't think the Lakers are a championship team without Kauai because they've had to be,

they've had to wait on Kauai. And so now I do think they're going to get Danny Green, and I do think they'd re-sign Rondo. And with Kuzma, AD, and LeBron, that's a playoff team. I don't feel like it should be the league favorite. Do you? No. And I'm not exactly sure.

sure what LeBron is going to look like coming back. No one knows. Not saying that LeBron isn't going to come back and be great, but it's a different LeBron. He's coming back off of his first major injury and he's a year older. It's going to be different situation. And I don't know what Anthony Davis is going to be. I don't know what Anthony Davis is going to be with Kauai there. So we still have a lot to see with the Lakers. They are obviously going to be a playoff team. We know that, but that's not their goal here. So I don't think that they're in the best spot of it on land, Kauai. Obviously, you have to do which you can, but...

I think Vegas is in the rare, tough spot. They're just trying to cover their butt, and they're putting the Lakers, they're putting the Lakers as a favorite just to cover their butt in case they get Kauai. But if they don't get Kauai, they're going to end up with Danny Green,

who I like, by the way, but they'll overpay for him. Rondo, J.R. Smith, maybe a Kyle Corver. That doesn't feel like a championship team to me. No. So Kevin Durant Durant turned down the most he could get, which was 221 million from the Warriors, even with an Achilles injury that could threaten his future earning potential. But apparently it wasn't about the money or the best opportunity to win a

championship. According to the Athletic, his decision to take his talents to Brooklyn was basically based on playing with his close friends, Kyrie and DeAndre Jordan. Athletic said that the decision by Durant revealed what he valued most friendship that DeAndre Jordan, another one of Durant's close friends, is also joining them in Brooklyn, reportedly underscores exactly what was most important in Durant's heart. driving force was the opportunity to play with his good friends. He's still a guy who wants to hoop at high levels with his homies. They both took less, Kyrie and Kevin Durant,

who allow DeAndre Jordan to get the $10 million. So instead of signing for the $221 million with the Warriors, Katie is going to the Nets for $164 million. I don't love it. And I'm just going to... I've got my belief in this. I think they're going to be interesting, but I... You know, I have time.

I like to hang out with my friends, too. It's called The Weekends. Well, this is what I feel about this. I think that Kevin Durant has accomplished what he needs to accomplish to have a basketball legacy. He has two championships. He has two finals MVP. He has a regular season MVP. He got both of those championships while beating what everyone felt was the best player in the NBA head-to-head twice.

And you can argue about him having a better team or not having a better team. but I think KD also proved by weirdly by being injured how much the warriors actually needed him. Yeah. Because they lost to what many felt was an inferior team in the Raptors without him. So if you're looking at it from KD's perspective, how much money do you actually need if happiness is what's most important to you? You have what you need to have a basketball legacy. He is a Hall of Famer. Many will never consider him to be the best in the league, at least while LeBron is still playing.

at a high level. So what's he really losing? He's going to get it in endorsements. Yes, he's leaving money on the table, but money is clearly not everything to the top players in the NBA anymore. Yeah. I wouldn't have done it, but, you know, Katie's a different guy. I always felt, I feel like Kevin Durant reminds me a lot of Aaron Rogers. Their legacy is set. Right. Aaron's not going to win another five Super Bowls. Aaron's an all-time top 15 quarterback, along with Favv. And I think Kevin Durant's an all-time top 10-15 player. They've got their money.

They seem to have an active life beyond. Neither's married, neither with a bunch of kids. They're wildly successful, smart single guys. And I think, to your point, happiness is a big deal. Look, I don't want to live on a farm, like literally ever. But a lot of people live on farms and love them. A lot of people live in other big cities in America and don't want to live in Los Angeles. I love Los Angeles.

I live in Miami for 10 years. Some people can't be in Miami for five minutes because they can't handle the humidity. Everything's not for everyone. So you only time you want to deal with goats is in the LeBron MGA conversation. Pretty much. Goats are adorable, though. But, yeah, not on a farm. So finally, sticking with players who know what matters most of them,

Anthony Davis also turned down the opportunity to earn the most money possible from a Supermax with the Pelicans $221 million five-year deal. Instead, he chose to team up with LeBron. and he recently gave Arash Marcosi of the LA Times his reasoning. He said, my goal is to win a championship. That's what it's about winning titles. That's the only thing on my mind. Money comes and goes.

Your legacy is forever. I think how you establish yourself in the NBA and what you do on and off the court as something that people will remember forever. And at the end of the day, no one cares about how much money you make. So basically, Anthony Davis is doing it for the opposite reasons. And not saying that Katie and Kyrie are going to be a terrible team and they're not going to win a championship in Brooklyn because they very well might. This is what AD wants.

AD doesn't have a championship. He doesn't have an MVP. He doesn't have a finals MVP. So this is the perfect situation for him. And if he needed to leave money on the table in order to make that happen, that's what he's going to do. They're at the polar opposite spectrums of their career. Right. But both making a decision to leave money on the table.

So much fun. This is why both of you. It's a soap opera. The people that hate on the NBA, not all leagues are the same. The NBA is a soap opera. Don't we have room in sport for a soap opera? Yes, we have plenty of room. More soap operas, please.

Everyone else get on this bandwagon to the soap operas. God, I wish NFL free agency was this fun. Joy with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The third line news. Brooklyn's going to get all the love this morning. I got to tell you, three teams in this league,

I think their front offices deserve A-pluses. The Utah Jazz, the New Orleans Pelicans, and the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks just signed Seth Curry, who the Lakers were looking at, four years, $32 million. Seth can shoot. Now, because Steph is so great, nobody pays attention to Seth Curry. Seth Curry's a real player. I got to tell you, tip of the cap to the Utah Jazz, they had a great, great last 10 days.

They needed a point guard and a shooter. They got both. The Pelicans, I've never seen a team that frenetic over the course of a month. I mean, if I would live anywhere near Louisiana, you've got to go watch that team. That team's all brand new. And Dallas, you know, I've been saying this for years. can't figure out why Dallas is in a landing spot for these NBA guys. No state tax.

If you're single, beautiful young ladies everywhere, your arena's right next to a four seasons where you can live in a residence. You have two major airports. You're in the center of the country. The winter weather's cold, but not brutal. I've never figured out why more guys don't go to Dallas. Dallas has got a real team now. Finally, good Lord, is the West loaded or what?

Seth Curry, Porzingis, Luca Donzich, who am I forgetting here? Those three are a lot of points. Let's bring on Chris Broussard. By the way, Woz reported that. Sorry if I did not give him credit there. How about Dallas? I'll tell you what.

So I'll just lay it out there. Everybody has a position on stuff. I think the nets are going to be interesting. Three years, Kyrie's missed 66 games. Kevin Durant's missed 48. He's coming off in Achilles, DeAndre Jordan. I think they got him to foul Joel M. B'd. I think like Michigan football with Harbaugh, it's going to be fascinating.

He'll get talked about it. It'll be top of the industry. I don't think it looks like a championship roster. They could win the championship. They're not guaranteed. You don't look at them like you looked at the Warriors when KD went there. Or if Kauai goes to the Lakers, you don't look at them like that. But could they potentially win the title?

No question. I mean, you've got a great point guard in Kyrie. You got arguably the greatest player in the world coming back a year from now. That's what's so disheartening is that we're not going to see Durant for another year. So that does, like next year there'll be a mid-level playoff team in the east. Maybe they can win around in the playoffs. But put Durant in there. They've got the role players.

They've got a great back court with Kyrie, Dinwiddie, Spencer Dinwiddie, Karis Levert, Jared Allen is a rim protector, athletic, and then DeAndre Jordan, like Joe Harris can shoot. They got some stuff. They're going to be nice. I don't know why you're down. I'm saying they're a playoff team. Playoff team.

They're a contender when they get KD. When they get KD, they're not a contender? I'm going to wait to see Kyrie for a year running the show and then have to hand over the show to Kevin Durant. I'm glad you mentioned that because everybody's wondering why not the Knicks. I really do believe all the talk all season long that KD was heading to the Nix. I think it was legit. I think that really was going to happen.

I think the injury changed everything. Like I was talking to someone today and I asked them, what if KD didn't get injured? What do they think would have plugged in person? They said they think KD would have been able to convince Kyrie and they would have went to the Nix. Because the Knicks were on K. Or KD and Kauai Leonard. That was their point. Those are the two guys who will max.

By themselves, they would max those two. And then they would max a Kimba, a Kyrie, a Jimmy Butler, whoever, with one of those two. Once KD got hurt and now you're looking at the prospect of, okay, we got a whole year with just Kyrie as a leader in our locker room, the Knicks were hesitant about that. I don't know if that got out to Kyrie or not. but then he's zeroed in suddenly on Brooklyn. And I know it's a childhood. That was his favorite team.

His father had season tickets. So maybe he just always liked Brooklyn. But he zeroed on it on Brooklyn. And in the talks between Kyrie and KD, KD trying to get Kyrie to still go to the Knicks. Kyrie trying to get KD to go to the Nets. KD lost leverage even in that discussion once you get hurt. And you're out for the whole year.

So I think that all played a big role in it. I don't buy the spin that the Knicks weren't offering to Max. In my conversations with them, after Durant got injured, yesterday, I'm told they never gave any indication to KD's camp that they weren't going to give them the Max. And he's not even taking the Max from Brooklyn. So I don't think that's a spin. Okay. Lakers don't get Kauai. LeBron, Kuzma, A.D, and an NBA pawn shop.

I mean, that's what it means. It's a lot of used goods. Right. And the first two are so good that you're still legit. All right. Let's not, they're still legit with just LeBron and AD. But even if they get Kauai, you get him, you're the heads on favorite, no doubt about it. But Seth Curry was a guy they were looking at.

Now, they couldn't have paid him what Dallas could have. So maybe they would have lost him anyway. But the longer, if Kauai is definitely zeroed in, if he knows he's going there, then he needs to just announce it so they can get some of these guys that are still out there because to your point, a lot of guys that they are, would have been interested in, have already signed. So they can't get them. But I still think if they don't get Kawhi, Goren Drogich is a plan.

Plan B. Danny Green. That would be some type of trade. Danny Green. Okay, but let's just say, because by the way. Rajan Rondo. I mean, here's what I think it's going to look like. If they get Kauai Leonard, if the Lakers do.

And I don't have any insight here. You said yesterday they are the leader in the clubhouse. I'm being told they're his first choice. He spoke with magic. His camp spoke with magic yesterday, laid out what they want from the Lakers. Nothing crazy, but just some additions to the staff.

Is Kauai going to be treated like LeBron and the organization? You know, all that. As long as Jeannie doesn't do anything to screw it up in the meeting, I'm told that's his first choice. By the way, LeBron is. I think LeBron going into a 17th year is more than willing to have the baton ready to pass. And Anthony Davis has never been a guy that grabs the baton. So I actually do think Jeannie Bus could walk in and say, no, no, no, no, this is a three-headed super team.

And Kyle Kuzma is not there yet. But it is interesting. Let's say by the end of the show today that Danny Green signs elsewhere. Let's just throw this out there because Seth Curry just signed. And these guys are falling out. Those leaves are falling off the tree fast. you would now have a team of that would probably have one of the weaker fifth starters in the league and the worst bench easily you can say what you want but it wouldn't be a bad bench it would

probably be the league's worst bench it would be here's what i think it would be rondo and three four rondo might start oh i think he would start yeah rondo would start i mean like i what i'm most concerned, even if they get Kauai shooting. That's what they need. You're going to be good defensively because A.D. and Kauai, you need shooting. If they were to start, just say, throw it out there. Rondo, Kauai. Because I'm being told some of the talks have been Kauai at the two, Kuzma at the

three, LeBron at the four, AD at the five. And if you throw Rondo in there, I like Kuzma off the bench with this group because he'd get more touches, more plays run from me. But just say that five. That's not a ton of shooting. They all can shoot. Kauai can shoot. Kuzma can shoot.

LeBron gets streaky and can shoot. But that's not 2019 level three-point shooting for a team. So they have to go out and get shooters. That's what I thought Seth was such a great fit. But he couldn't turn down that money because the Lakers couldn't have given it. Explain DeAngelo Russell to the Warriors feels like a trade piece to me, eventually. I don't think he's... Eventually meaning like this summer, later this early in the season.

Trade deadline. So to me, KD. leaves. They've got money and they think, well, let's go get an All-Star. Right. They may not be our favorite All-Star. I don't think he fits, but let's be honest. Everything fits with Steph Curry. Well, see, I think you make a good point.

If it doesn't work, if he's not fitting in before the trade deadline, certainly you can move in. Oh, yes. He may fit in, though. He'll be there. You know, obviously Clay will miss the first half. half of the season. So I think Stefan DeAngelo, I agree with you. I think in that offense, DeAngelo will be fine. And I think once Clay gets back, you put Clay at the three.

And you still start DeAngel. So I think that was a good move. If you're going to lose KD, it's a good move whether you end up keeping him or whether later in the year you end up trading. We know this team drafts well. They just had three draft picks. Let's say one of them, the kid from Villanova, becomes like the seventh, eighth guy. Right. So you're going to tell me if Clay Thompson comes back late February, eight weeks to prepare for the playoffs. I go into the playoffs in the West with Steph Curry, Clay Thompson,

DeAngelo Russell, Draymond Green, Sean Livingston, Best System, great coach, Quinn Cook, that's Alfonso McKinney, Jordan Bell. They were 35 and 8 without KD. You can't tell me that team can't get to the Western Conference finals. Really? I can tell you that team can't get to the Western guys. They sweat Portland. I mean, as big a fan as I am with Stefan Clay,

the little roster you just spit it out. It's a little. Spat out, didn't impress me that much. DeAngelo Russell, Clay, Drayman, Steph. Where's the size? You need some size. Jordan Bell and the kid they drafted from. Looney, they got to find a way if they can keep loony.

I don't think they can. The numbers don't make any sense. It's going to be tough. Look, I am not. not one that thinks the Warriors dynasty is necessary. As a dynasty, it's over. But do I think they can win a championship still down the road? Yes, not this year coming up.

But I do think once like two years from now, when Clay is fully healthy, I think they will be right back in the hunt and will be able to win the championship. However, if Kauai goes to the Lakers, there's no way I see that team you just mentioned beating the Lakers. No way. Now, can they play with Portland? I think Portland is in for a step back. Like, I think when you look at the Western Conference, who of those eight playoff teams this year is falling out?

Portland's not as good. I can see Portland. I think Portland and San Antonio are the two teams I point to most as far as falling out of the play. Maybe the clippers. But the Lakers are jumping in. Utah got better. Like, a good team is going to fall.

Pelicans are. I don't know if they can make the playoffs next year, but they're looking good. I would have loved this thing, Al Horford there. I like Horford with Philly. I think Philly got better. I will say, you know,

I don't want to do all West Coast. Philly's interesting because Philadelphia loves Biggs. So J.J. Reddick gone, shooter. Butler gone, shooter. Remember, they had Dario Sarich, but they gave him up to get Butler.

They had Marco Bellinelli. They gave him up. Eliasot. Yep. Irson, Ilyosone. Okay. they've given up in the last two years, six shooters. Now, they're the biggest team in the league,

and they may be the best team around the rim. This is a shooter's league. But I wouldn't call Butler a shooter, and Josh Richardson is a shooter. He can shoot, and he's athletic and can deep. So they got shooting here. Tobias Harris can shoot. Regardless, you need Ben to come back,

at least attempting jump shots. So you like Philadelphia today? Yes. Now, I'm not saying I'm picking them to win the east, but I think they improved. I think they improved. Okay, you do. I would have been hesitant. I think Jimmy Butler is a very good player.

You know what a scare. And he was great for Philly, but I would have been hesitant to turn my locker room over to him. Two scouts yesterday. When Miami signed Jimmy Butler, I got a, we avoided chaos. A lot of people. Serious. All right. Okay, we just got another story breaking.

So don't go anywhere with Chris Broussard. Coming up, calling right, calling wrong top of the hour. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in.

I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. to the source, the athlete themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down,

give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slic Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark.

Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it. And we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth. Are you a good person because you're afraid?

Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast. Learn the hard way. Open your free iHeartRadio app.

Search Learn the hard way and listen now. What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano, and our podcast, Point Game is about defying the odds. Like LeBron heading into the playoffs without Luca and Austin Reed. And finding ways to win no matter what. He's the smartest player to ever play the game. His IQ is at a level that we've never seen before. And he knows.

Without Luca and Austin Reeves, I got to manipulate the game. We get a player's perspective on the challenges of the play. I think Joker's going to be exhausted this series because when they don't have Rudy in the lineup, he has to really guard guys like Nas Reid. He has to guard Julius Randall. And then he has to give us everything he gives us on the night-to-night basis on offense. And when IT's friends stop by, like Quentin Richardson, we dive into some playoff history too. Steve Nass would get that thing. That man, hell get the flying.

He running up the court, licking his fingers why he got the ball like, you go through a training camp with that, Isaiah. You figure it out real quick. Get your ass up and down the court, and you're going to get the ball. So listen to Point Game on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. American soccer is about to explode. The World Cup is coming. Ramers sending on to Ernie Stewart the Chip. I'm Todd Ramos.

I'm Tom Boat. On our podcast, Inside American Soccer, you'll get the real storylines. I'm not worried about Policic. I'm not worried about Balligan. I'm not worried about McKinney. My only concern is what happens in the back. The biggest decisions. If you're going to look at stats and numbers,

he has no shot at making this World Cup team. And the truth about the U.S. national team. It wouldn't be a huge surprise if our team ends up in the quarterfinals or potentially a great run into the semifinals. The World Cup is almost here. Experience it all with us. Listen, Inside American Soccer with Tom Bogart and Tabramos

on the IHeart Radio app, podcast wherever you get your podcast. Fourth of July, Casper's getting sleepy for summer. Celebrate 10% off any purchase with a mattress today until the 5th of July. Casper.com now, casper.com. slash terms if you want to check out the terms there.

Chris Broussard is joining me. Okay, here's another one. The Portland Trailblazers just got Hassan Whiteside from the Miami Heat for Mo Harkless and Myers Leonard. Whiteside's better than those two players. So Portland's now got terrific back court, Damian Lillard, C.J. McCullen. You have Rodney Hood in the middle. You have Nurkich coming back off injury, White Side.

Nasir Little is the kid, the talented, super athletic kid you drafted. Kent Bazmore, they picked up a grown up from Atlanta. They've gotten better. Okay, I think they just got. Now, Hassan Whiteside is a real player in this league. Now, he's quirky. It's the last year of a massive deal. so if Portland gets tired of him, they can move off him in a year.

But you've got a massive rim protector, All-Star on the back court. The fight just to make the playoffs in the West is going to be incredible. Everybody loves the Pelicans. I'm like, I'm sorry. If Porzingis comes back for Dallas and is the player he was, I'm sorry. They're making the playoffs. Well, I wouldn't guarantee that. They'll be better.

Luca Donchers, I think, is an MVP down the line. Yes, he's an all-star. Porzingis is the same guy as an all-star. But they may be too young. I'm just saying I can't guarantee. I like Dallas. I'm with you. I think if Porzingia stays healthy and he's the same player he was,

they eventually will be a championship contender. But will I say next year they'll definitely make the playoffs in the West? Let me tell you so. No, I like New Orleans, but I wouldn't pick them to make the playoffs in the West right now. We haven't said this yet. If Kauai chooses the Clippers, the West has no favorite. No, it does. It has no favorite.

It's 10. The league really has no favor, which is great. Well, I don't know if it is. I've always said, international soccer and the NBA are star-driven. So dynasties work, villains work. I don't like. Well, I hear what you're saying. I think it'd be nice to have maybe one year.

We just got off two straight years and would have been this third year if Duran doesn't get hurt of just no one else really having a shot. Okay. if Kauai goes to the Lakers, although you would start to get concerned because you see players just signing elsewhere, they need to get some type of fortification if he goes there. But it would seem like nobody's going to be able to beat those Lakers. With those three players that good? Okay, but you're going to talk about easily the worst bench in the league, easily.

It's not a bad bench. It's an, you have nobody on the bench. I'd have to see, because bench players play better when you're around stars. Okay, so Jimmy Butler is now in Miami. What am I make of, it's a bunch of... I don't like it. I think Miami's still a lower rung playoff team. What about Houston?

Houston. Didn't get Butler? I think that's good for them, unless they were going to trade him for Chris Paul. I think that's better for them. They may have been saved from themselves by not getting Jimmy Butler. I just think he would not have fit with James Hardin and Chris Paul. In that offense, he wouldn't have fit. He's not a spot-up shooter.

So it would have been chaotic. I think they can still contend in the West with what they have and they add a little tweak here or there. It is amazing today that you believe Kauai Leonard is leaning Lakers. I said this to start my show today. They've got a pretty damn good pitch. Sun, home, help, brand shoes. It's a good pitch. The knock on the Lakers is the front office is a little weak.

But then they can look and say, well, we landed AD, we landed LeBron, we created cap space. If this happens, you're going to have two main people to think. Magic Johnson and LeBron James. And kind of through LeBron clutch sports. Seriously, this is not, this is happening despite Rob Polinka. This is not going to be Rob Polinka drawing Kawhi. This will be Magic Johnson, LeBron James. Now we know Magic is in the Kauai pitch.

He called him, right? Magic. Dave talked. He called, Kauai's people call Magic multiple times yesterday while Magic was in church. Magic gets out of church, sees the miscarls, they talk. Kauai lays out what he wants from the, you know, treat him like, you know, will he be treated and afforded the same privileges LeBron gets in the franchise. Can he bring in some, you know, additions to the staff, you know, to help him out, you know, his personal trainers, things of that nature.

And as long as the Lakers, you know, are willing to do that when he meets with Jeannie, that they've got a great chance of sealing the deal. Now, Kauai has a concern about the clippers of, is there enough, you know, who's the second guys? There's a second guy. There isn't one. Okay. But to your point, the longer this draws out, you start looking at, well, who are the Lakers going to get? You know, Seth Curry was on their radar.

Danny Green is still out there, but will they be able to get him? If he can get more money elsewhere, he may have to do that. Andre Gwadala, talk is if he gets bought out by Memphis, which no reason for him to stay there, he'll go to the Lakers. But they've got to start looking at what they're going to put around, either. the big three or if they don't get Kauai around LeBron and AD. Is Kauai meeting with the Clippers today 30 seconds? He's supposed to. Okay, so Kauai is supposed to meet with the Clippers today.

Supposed to. He's in L.A. Right. He's playing the same building. Not asking much. You think from one down the hall, meet with the Lakers, then go down the hall? Let's wrap this up in about 40 minutes, Kauai. It'd be good.

Colin right, calling wrong, start of hour two. Chris Broussard, good seeing you, bud. Also, Rick Buecker, Charles Barkley loaded today in a Monday in L.A. It's the herd. One more herd? The herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week within the IHeart radio app. Search Hurd to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise.

Breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports Slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so rapidly. up in the chase, that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing, and we're still chasing it, and we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person

while you hear on earth, or are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, is we have real conversations about All healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. What's up, fam, it's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano, and our podcast, Point Game is about defying the odds.

Like LeBron heading into the playoffs without Luca and Austin Reed. And finding ways to win no matter what. He's the smartest player to ever play the game. His IQ is at a level that we've never seen before. And he knows without Luca and Austin. And Reeves, I got to manipulate the game. We get a player's perspective on the challenges of the playoffs. I think Joker's going to be exhausted this series

because when they don't have Rudy in the lineup, he has to really guard guys like Nas Reid. He has to guard Julius Randall. And then he has to give us everything he gives us on the night-to-night basis on offense. And when IT's friends stop by, like Quentin Richardson, we dive into some playoff history too. Steve Nash would get that thing.

That man, hell get the flying. He running up the court, licking his fingers, why he got the ball like, after you go through a training camp with that Isaiah, you figure it out real quick. Get your ass up and down the court, and you're going to get the ball. So listen to Point Game on the IHeart Radio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. American Soccer is about to explode. The World Cup is coming. Ramers sending on to Ernie Stewart for Chip. I'm Tad Ramos. I'm Tom Boe. On our podcast, Inside American Soccer, you'll get the real storylines.

I'm not worried. about Policicic. I'm not worried about Balligan. I'm not worried about McKinney. My only concern is what happens in the back. The biggest decisions. If you're going to look at stats and numbers, he has no shot at making this

World Cup team. And the truth about the U.S. national team. It wouldn't be a huge surprise if our team ends up in the quarterfinals or potentially a great run into the semifinals. The World Cup is almost here. Experience it all with us. Listen, inside American soccer with Tom Bow,

Ogerton, Tabramos, on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcast. Ah, here we go. We're live in LA Hour 2. This is The Heard, wherever you may be, and however you may be listening. We're on IHeart Ready. We're on radio. Fox Sports Radio, IHeart Radio, FS1. It is great to have here. Charles Barkley next hour. Arash Marcosi, Rick Buecker, this hour. This is very fluid. Portland Trailblazers just landed Hassan Whiteside. Protection for Nurkich off the injury to go with an all All-star Superstar Guard, Damian Lillard, Rodney Hood. Nassir Little, the kid they drafted Super Athletic from Carolina. Neil O'Shea, good GM, Terry Stott's good coach.

Portland's better, Pelicans better, Utah better. Houston, I'm not sure, better. But it's wild. I've been saying this now for a long time. It's like the SEC and football, they just care more. Whatever it is, and I can't figure out, the Western Conference, I think, to just have better general managers and owners than the Eastern Conference because, Lord, we're going to have a team like maybe a Dallas Mavericks not make the playoffs.

That's like when the sixth team in the SEC goes and plays the number two team in another conference and routes them. We could have the Dallas Mavericks not make the playoffs. And they got, they got, Luca Dodgich is one of the top five young players in the game. Porzinger is one of the top 10 young players. They just got Seth Curry. Man, alive are they loaded? So here we go on Monday.

Colin is right, Colin is wrong. Where Colin was right? Been saying this forever. All you guys out there that won't recruit like John Wall and Derek Rose, the NBA is about brain power and Steph Curry's as smart as they get. Did you hear this? Steph Curry was on a plane in Shanghai doing business in China, got in a plane to fly to New York,

just to thank Kevin Durant for coming to the Warriors. That's the only reason he did it. Didn't turn the jet around when he found out Kevin, Durant wasn't signing with the Warriors, and nobody thought he really was. He flew from Shanghai direct to New York to say thank you for coming to the Warriors. Half this league, they're just too cool to recruit. This is why the Warriors are going to be fine. Steph Curry was smart enough to embrace Kevin Durant and smart enough to thank him.

And you know what that does? That story gets out, like guys like me talking about it. And it makes other stars feel very comfortable if they're not. they have a decision to make, dude, that's a good dude. That is a good dude. I love Steph Curry. I love what he symbolizes class all the way around. Where Colin was wrong. I've never seen an NBA franchise in one month completely changed their identity. Tip of the cap to the pelicans. I always felt they were owned by an NFL owner. It's a football city. Nobody wants to play there. Their fan bases ambivalent about them.

Zion, J.J. Reddick, Derek Favors, Lonzo, Brandon Ingram, 300 draft picks, Josh Hart. I mean, you wake up this morning and you're like, they may not make the playoffs in the West. They would in the East. What a fascinating organization. How was David Griffin unemployed for two years? I mean, you talk about frenetic. I mean, again, in the West, I don't think they're going to make the playoffs. I think they're going to be really, really interesting for a year. But you've got to give this team credit.

I've never seen. This is like a politician who gets elected to office and passes nine bills in two weeks. Sometimes you just got to give people credit for activity. And in a football city, they are drawing a ton of attention. This has to be massively driving season tickets. Where Colin was right. All you Philadelphia 76 are fans, we're going to keep all our guys. And I'm like, it's called a salary cap.

You can't keep all your guys. Jimmy Butler, your most talented player, arguably. Gone. JJ Reddick. Best shooter gone. By the way, Marco Villanelli is gone. Dario Sarich is gone. You gave Sarich up to get Jimmy Butler, plus Robert Covington, a long guy who can shoot.

You don't have any shooters, not many left, but you got great size. And again, you gave $180 million to Tobias Harris. Eesh, that's a lot of money for Tobias Harris. I think you're a good team. you may be a Western Eastern Conference Finals team. I'm not sure if you can shoot your way there. But this idea in Philadelphia that you were just going to keep everything

and everything was going to work out, it's not the way NBA free agency works. Jimmy Butler doesn't want to be the third most talked about guy. J.J. Redick's career, he's got a couple years left. He's going to make every penny he can make. I got to give J.J. Reddick and his agent credit. You know, he's made more money every year of his career. That guy has managed.

His business incredibly well. Where Colin was wrong. The Celtics saved their franchise. You know, I said last week, Al Horford left, Kyrie Irving left. I'm like, listen, man, there's an anti-boss. Anthony Davis was not interested. But Kimmel Walker's a nice save. I don't think they're a championship team because they lost Terry Rozier.

But I do think it's a nice save. And I do think they're kind of small. They don't have as much depth. But they've got good wings, Gordon Hayward, Jason Tatum. Very good guards. Marcus Mark, Kemble Walker. They'll make the playoffs. I don't think they're a championship team. But I would say this.

It was a nice save because they lost a lot of talent, walked right out the door. I was wrong. Where Colin was right? I was right about the Knicks. I never, I've sat here for 20 years in this chair, not always at this place, but in this chair, and heard how the Knicks are going to sign everybody.

And they never do. because of James Dolan. I think agents struggle sending their prize possessions, their prize clients to James Dolan. I think he's got a bad rep among players. People said, oh, Katie's buddies are in the front office. No, Katie's buddies are on the floor. Kyrie Irving and DeAndre Jordan.

Katie's executive buddies are not as cool as Katie's player buddies, and he chose players over executives. They'll have a good summer league team, but I thought Kevin Durant would have really hurt his career going to the Knicks. I'm actually, I would have stayed in Golden State, but the Nets, listen, Spencer Dinwiddie, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Jared Allen, DeAndre Jordan. That's a playoff team in a year. I don't know if it is this year, frankly.

Probably is. But the Knicks, once again, you keep selling me this NBA media, and I keep not buying any of it on the Knicks. where Colin was wrong. I think the Houston Rockets window, which I thought was going to laugh. I think Chris Paul and James Hardin for five years were going to be fantastic. It feels like it's closing fast.

Portland's better. Utah's better. Pelicans better. Clippers could add Kauai and be better. I just, Mike Dan Tony, I like. Don't trust them in the playoffs. Darry, I like, but there's too much drama, too much noise and too many leaks.

I didn't buy into the Jimmy Butler stuff. There's still no finals appearances. Tillman Fertita is a great owner, but he's impatient. I watched him in Vegas for years. He likes to move. He likes to get things done. He sold the UFC the minute he thought it peaked.

Everybody in the West feels a little better. Houston doesn't. And that Chris Paul tension with Hardin, with his knee, with Fratita and Mike Dan Tony, I don't feel like they're in the upper half of the West this morning. I really don't. Where Colin was right. World Cup going on. Red Sox Yankees in London.

And what stole all? all the attention. The NBA free agency. Been on this my entire career. Mobility is a great thing for sports. I mean, baseball signs their stars, the 10-year contracts that locks them up too long. The NBA, you got guys going here for two years and here for three years.

It was unbelievable how, if you go look at the metrics this weekend for the NBA, they owned the global sports sphere. The dirty little secret of the NBA, which they would tell you behind private doors, is we know people watch the NFL and not us, but they talk about us. And that's a real business. That's the Kardashian business.

Nobody watches the Kardashian show. I see the ratings. Everybody talks about the Kardashians. With social media, that's quantifiable. That's a real business. And, yeah, outside of the finals and conference finals, the ratings aren't that great. Sometimes March Madness beats it with a far inferior product.

But if you don't think social media being talked about young millennials matters, then you're in the weeds. NBA continues to be the second most popular sport if you consider being discussed, and I do. Where Colin was wrong. I've been hammer on the Lakers front office for a year. I probably should give them a little credit, not only for landing AD, but they cleared cap space.

And according to Chris Broussard, they lead on Kowai Lentard. So now that we'll have the worst bench in NBA league history, but I can't just sit up here with an anvil and hammer people, and when they keep delivering, maybe it's Rich Paul, maybe it's LeBron, maybe it's magic. I don't know who to give the credit to, but if they lead on Kauai Leonard and they land Kauai Leonard, they're going to be the overwhelming NBA favorite. Now, part of it is it's just the power of brand. But if you'd ask everybody in the NBA, who's the star you want that was on the market?

Once Kevin Durant got hurt, it's Kauai Leonard, and it looks like they lead for him. So credit where credit is due. Where Colin was right? Oh, Bryce Harper, Mani. Machado didn't make the all-star game in baseball. By the way, the Dodgers and Astros have passed on all these contracts, have a combined 10 all-stars and may have more. Bryce Harper's never struck out more. The Phillies are scrapping. They're around 500, so they're massively underachieving for their payroll. I don't think Bryce Harper, he's hitting about 250s, having a great

year. I think when you sign, not all players, but when you sign power hitters to massive 10-year contracts. Psychologically, it is daunting for a Mani Machado or a Bryce Harper who feels like I got to crank out 40 jacks or I'm massively underachieving. I don't think a long contract for a good pitcher hurts them or a good closer or a guy like Trout who's about legs and fielding as much as hitting. But the Machado Bryce Harper deals, not All-Stars. To this point, both underachieving. All right. Rick Buecker, Arash Marcosi, will stop. on by and some interesting thoughts from Marcus Thompson on Kevin Durant and why he spurned the Warriors and why he chose the second biggest brand in New York, not the NBA, in New York.

That's coming up. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHeard Radio app. Last night, a blown call changed the game. This morning, the Am. internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athletes themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions,

the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. SportsSlice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to SportsSlice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host and your favorite therapist, Kier Games.

And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking. Trip Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it.

And we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross. Because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth. Are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely.

And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm CJ Toledano, and our podcast Point Game is about defying the odds.

Like LeBron heading into the playoffs without Luca and Austin. and finding ways to win no matter what. He's the smartest player to ever play the game. His IQ is at a level that we've never seen before. And he knows without Luca and Austin Reeves, I got to manipulate the game. We get a player's perspective on the challenges of the playoffs.

I think Joker's going to be exhausted this series because when they don't have Rudy in the lineup, he has to really guard guys like Nas Reid. He has to guard Julius Randall. And then he has to give us everything he gives us on the night-to-night basis on offense. And when IT's friends stopped by, like Quentin Richardson, we dive into some playoff history too.

Steve Nash would get that thing. That man, hell get the flying. He running up the court, licking his fingers why he got the ball. Like, after you go through a training camp with that, Isaiah, you figure it out real quick. Oh, yeah. Get your ass up and down the court, and you're going to get the ball. So listen to Point Game on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts,

or wherever you get your podcasts. American soccer is about to explode. The World Cup is coming. sending on to Ernie Stewart for chip. I'm Tad Ramos. I'm Tom Boe. On our podcast, Inside American Soccer, you'll get the real storylines. I'm not worried about Policic.

I'm not worried about Balagan. I'm not worried about McKinney. My only concern is what happens in the back. The biggest decisions. If you're going to look at stats and numbers, he has no shot at making this World Cup team. And the truth about the U.S. national team. It wouldn't be a huge surprise.

if our team ends up in the quarterfinals or potentially a great run into the semifinals. The World Cup is almost here. Experience it all with us. Listen, inside American soccer with Tom Bogart and Tabramos on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcast. Tomorrow on Fox, the U.S. faces red hot England

in an epic semifinal clash at the FIFA Women's World Cup. Coverage begins tomorrow at 2 p.m. Eastern on Fox or watch it live on the Fox Sports app. Ratings have been unbelievable for that, by the way. Unbelievable ratings for that. Arash Marcosi, Sports columnist LA Times, formerly at Sports Illustrated. All right, so you're tied to the Laker Clipper stuff. So Lakers today, what are your sources telling you about how they feel? They're not nervous right now.

They're not as nervous as you would think that they would be that all these names that they could potentially sign if they don't get Kauai are coming off the board. They are 100% doll in on Kauai. That doesn't mean that they know that they're going to get him. But they didn't create this cap space. for a Hail Mary. They were cautiously optimistic, that they don't view themselves as sort of this dark horse pick. They think that they have a real chance.

Now, if they, even if, let's say they get Kauai Leonard, give me some names. I mean, the one, like Rondo would come back, right? Yeah, Rondo comes back and I would imagine J.R. Smith. Yeah, and by the way, these are all guys that you've heard of and guys who may be with a team right now. Kyle Corver could be a name. Power Gassal, by the way, could finish his career. back there.

Iggy? 100%. A guy who was, you know, would love to come back and play for a championship. So again, there's this perception that if it's veteran minimum guys, it'll be guys off the street, guys who played in the G League. No, these are guys who are looking at the end of their career. They're 35, 36, 37 who want one more chance. Okay, so we know they can afford Rondo.

We know J.R. Smith and Corver and Iggy. Could they get a Danny Green perhaps who, by the way, can play defensive? defense is long and a little hot and cold last year in the playoffs, but he was good when it mattered against the warriors. Yes, they got that room exception for almost $5 million that you can get that one really good piece. And by the way, that's sort of like a piece that you would want. If you're talking to Kauai saying, hey, by the way, this is not just a super team. We're going to bring in a guy that you like to play with, a guy that you know. And what's really not talked about enough and why the Lakers really like their chances, they got a feeling last year that when

Kauai was talking about wanting to leave San Antonio. He wanted to come to the Lakers and he wanted to come back home and he wanted to play in Los Angeles. And so I don't think enough is being made about that's where he wants to come back. So I think Toronto is a real viable possibility because of the season that he had. But in his heart of hearts, when he looks at signing a long-term deal, he wants to come back home. Now let's talk about the Clippers, who, by the way, were a 50-win playoff team who beat the Warriors twice. if they do land Kauai, they are certainly capable of they'll be near the Western Conference favorites and should be, right? 100%.

Now, if they don't sign Kauai, where do they go? Because it's still a competent roster. This would be not a great summer for them, clearly. But their worst case scenario when you look at what they've done is you roll back last year's team that won about 50 games, push the Warriors to six games. People kind of like that team. Again, we thought that that would be a totally new team because they potentially had two. max slots that we're going to bring in Kauai and maybe one more piece.

That's not going to happen. The best case scenario is you put Kauai on that same exact team. Worst case scenario is you roll back that same team with a max slot in the next year, which is not great, but it's not the worst case scenario. Couldn't I just say, listen, I got Patrick Beverly. I could pay Boogie Cousins for one huge year. Yeah. Boogie come in.

You're our big. We add Boogie Cousins to a great locker room off a 50 win team. Yeah. They're not in a bad situation. When you look at these three teams, the Lakers, despite having two of the top five players, they will be in the worst position in terms of how do we fill out this team without Kauai? Because with Kauai, you don't have a problem filling out the team with guys who are on veteran minimum deals. If they don't get Kauai, they got $32 million and really no one to spend that on.

So again, it's going to be very similar to last season, where it was you get LeBron James and everyone's excited, but then you follow that up with Rondo and Michael Beasley and Javille McGee and. just a bunch of players on like one-year deals. Yeah, I mean, I don't even know what the Lakers would do if they didn't get Kauai at this point. I guess you'd sign Danny Green. I mean, again, how would you divvy up the money? You don't want long-term deals.

You don't need Boogie, but I think you may go after Boogie. I think at that point you may go after guys that you wouldn't normally go after to kind to put together a one year. Yeah, Anthony Davis, like Boogie Cousins. So you'd have Boogie at the 5, Anthony 4, LeBron 3, Kuzma, 3, off the Ben. Exactly. And Kuzma, as you touched on, is not really talked about. I think he's a guy who could get 20 points per game, a fantastic number three possibility if they don't get Kauai. But again, they're so in on Kauai. They created that max slot for Kauai. There was this feeling

that they created a max lot for a max player. No, they created that max slot for one player, and that's Kauai. You interviewed Anthony Davis for the L.A. Times. It was published this morning. Take your time on this. What did you learn about Anthony? How much that he wanted to team up with LeBron. I kind of forgot how young he was. He said he grew up with LeBron. So the way that maybe some kids look at Jordan, he looked at LeBron. And that was a guy that he looked up to and he respected so much. And so the fact that not only he's going to play with LeBron, but that LeBron gifted him, his number 23, meant so much to him. And I talked to him about that $4 million trade kicker. He said, it's about my legacy. I want to win championships.

I want to win titles. And so that goes back to my point. He didn't just do that to sign a couple of shooters. I mean, I think he really did that because he's going to recruit and want to bring in a Kauai. So him and LeBron are going to try to recruit Kauai here. You sat down with him. The knock I always heard on AD was he wasn't a real alpha. He's very chill.

I don't, by the way, think that's a terrible deal with LeBron. I actually think quiet. Kawai and Chill A.D., I actually think those were great fits with LeBron. So do you feel, not that he's passive, but he's very laid back. Yeah, he actually said that. He said, I love Los Angeles because it's more slow motion. I said, slow motion, where he lives, it's very slow motion. So I think he's more of a, I'm going to take it easy.

He's excited about doing some of these Hollywood projects, but that's not really him. He's more Kawhi than LeBron. He's very take it easy, slow motion. What did you make? Let me ask you now off the Lakers and Clippers, and I know those teams, you primarily, you know, you're close to the proximity, you're five minutes away at the LA Times. The Warriors signed DiAngelo Russell, and my takeaway was it's not a long-term deal. It's like, let us get an All-Star and move him at the trading deadline. That's what it felt like to me. 100%. This is a short-term fit because he doesn't fit if Steph and Clay come back and they're healthy, like he doesn't fit. But they got a piece that teams around the league would want.

So at least they got something in return that whether it's at the time. the trade deadline or next summer, they can flip for something. Because remember, Joy, the trade deadline is, is it early February? Because they say Clay Thompson's going to come back in late February, early March. So if you get a lot out of DeAngelo, Russell, and by the way, Steph Curry. Okay, so February 7th, let's say the 27th, Clay comes back. So your takeaway is here. February 7th, you get a week off NBA, right?

So you have to go about six games, 12 days, 15 days. without Clay Thompson or DeAngelo Russell if you trade him. But my takeaway on this is Steph Curry works with everybody. And what you're going to see is DeAngelo Russell, we don't know where these rumors came from. He's the best guy. And they're going to sell him and bake him up and then send those baked goods off for a big.

This was not a long-term fit. My guess is he's going to be there for the duration of the season just because you don't know how long it's going to take Clay to come back. But if he has the season that they're hoping he does and he hopes that he does, you're going to get a lot for him. Yeah. You know, an interesting piece. Lakers don't need him because they need shooters.

Kvon Looney could be available to somebody. And the Warriors love him but now can't afford him. That's an interesting piece. Exactly. The moment, whether it's today, Tuesday, Wednesday, July 4th, as we kind of have to find out, that's when they kind of flip. But Colin, I got to be honest. I mean, they are quietly confident.

They are not stressed about these other names coming off the board. Now, that does not mean that Kauai might not call them and say, sorry, I'm going to go back to Toronto. I'm going to go to the Clippers. But they're not nervous right now, which I was surprised about it. I was like, hey, by the way, a lot of these names that were your plan B, plan C, plan D, those plans are gone. Like, they actually did have a plan B, C, D. Seth Curry's in Dallas now. It's all Kauai.

Wow, good seeing you, bud. Thanks. L.A. Times, Arash Marcosi, Joy Taylor with the news. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd. News. Trade deadline is actually February 6th in 2020. All right. Okay.

We like to do facts around here. So Clay Thompson, they say, is late February. Right. But if you could swap DeAngelo at the break, you go, Steph, Draymond, your bench guys, and then you end up with a legitimate All-Star level big. Somebody's going to want a scoring guard at the trading deadline. Like somebody's going to buy into that. I mean, or they hang on to him. Who knows? It's a long season. So Kemba Walker reportedly agreed to a four-year deal with the Celtics worth,

141 million and he says he decided to sign with Boston because he wants to complete and fulfill some dreams in his career. It was a really tough decision, but you know, you know, something I had to do in order to, you know, try and fulfill some dreams of mine and compete. So, you know, it's one of the, it's one of the toughest things, you know, I definitely had to do in my career. When you think of the Celtics, you think of championships. Sure. Think of winning. And that's what I'm about. I'm about competing for championships and winning. You know, that's something I haven't been able to do throughout the, you know,

the early years of my career. You know, I haven't been a consistent winning this league. And, you know, I just felt like Boston was the best fit for me to, you know, try and accomplish those kind of goals. By the way, they don't have any size. They did kick-save and abuse. They did save their franchise a little. They don't have any size at all because,

Horford's gone Who's the other guy? Aaron Baines is gone. I don't know who their bigs are. I don't know where their size is. As far as star quality goes and replacing Kyrie, they definitely landed in the best case scenario possible. And I think Kimbo kind of fits with Boston.

Marcus Morris has gone too. They have no, I mean, they're going to be the smallest. Now, again, you can win There's some other guys out there, though. Not guys don't want to pay. They can make some moves. You got to pay people. Like this is what it is. There's a lot of people making money that may be being quote unquote overpaid.

But that's the way it goes. There's only so many great players in the league. Sometimes you have to pay a premium for someone that you wouldn't necessarily in any other circumstance pay that much for. But I like this move for Boston. I like it for Kemba too because I always felt like he was kind of, he never really got the shine and attention that he deserved. And he'll get that in Boston. And he keeps... He disappeared in Charlotte.

Right. And it keeps to he's interesting. So Kauai Leonard reportedly had a positive phone call with Magic Johnson yesterday. They talk about the Lakers. So Magic is still actually involved in the recruiting process. Roderick Turner of the LA Times laid out some details of that conversation saying there was one interesting question he had for magic. Quote, did you guys try to trade for me when I was in San Antonio? And the answer was yes.

The uncle's questions were what was really going on in the organization between Jeannie, Rob Blinka, everyone. Is it as dysfunctional as we're reading and hearing? And the response was, we had some issues, but we're past that. It goes on to say that, you know, you're a family. and sometimes you fight with your family, like brothers and sisters, but then you end up making up. So I just think it's interesting that magic is still involved to this level with everything that's going on with the Lakers

after the way everything played out, and that they feel like they need to talk to magic above everyone else. Now, that's not saying they didn't talk to other people in the organization, but they're doing their due diligence about what's really going on with the Lakers, as he should. If you're in your 20s, you don't realize how powerful Magic Johnson was in the world. he was like Oprah with a basketball. I mean, Middle America liked him.

Stars liked him. I can remember going to fights in Vegas with all these stars, right? Like Sugar Ray Leonard Hood. Magic would walk in the room, and there was nothing close to Magic Johnson. They don't call him Magic for nothing. No, I mean, even in Los Angeles, where they know him, when he walks into the Staples Center, I've been there. The crowd stands.

Like, magic has so, nothing against Jerry West. But if you sit down with Magic or get in the phone with Magic, when you're my age, when you get in the 40s and 50s and you remember him, it wasn't just a Michael League. Magic brought the league off the, some said the brink of bankruptcy. Magic saved this league, not Michael Jordan. Him and Bird. I don't, I don't, I really don't want this to happen.

I don't. Part of me doesn't want it to happen. Part of me always roots for chaos, and they would be just, oh, just such an amazing villain for the NBA on so many levels. I don't really see Kauai in the villain role, though, so I don't know how that really plays out, and we know how LeBron feels about being a villain. So it's kind of like the worst trio to fill that role,

but it would be good for all of us because we could talk about it. Finally, Andre Aguadallo was collateral damage after Durant opted to sign with the net. So after Golden State and Brooklyn agreed to a sign and trade for DeAngelo Russell, Iggy's contract needed to be moved salary cap-wise. So the Grizzlies took on Iggy's $17 million contract in exchange for draft compensation, So the next step for him is likely a buyout, and the Rockets are reportedly interested.

But also, remember, Iggy is a former Rob Polinka client. He actually stayed with the agency even after Polinka left. And so he might end up with the Lakers, which would be an amazing move. I think you're going to end up having a lot of guys like Iggy. Got about a year left? I mean, but Iggy is a special kind of player. Like, I think Iggy with the Lakers would be a huge win. Smart, functional.

also, you know, he's one of those guys that... He's an X-factor player. Yeah, I mean, he situationally can be so valuable on both ends. He's a great... It's your classic like Patriot. He's situate, and that's what the playoffs are. It's all situational half-court basketball. It's a great situational player.

It would be very interesting to see him playing alongside LeBron, but I do think that's a player that the Lakers could really use. Yeah, Joy with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Hurd-Lie News. By the way, I hear this all the time. Is, oh, Colin, if Kauai signs with the Lakers, the NBA, it's going to ruin the NBA.

Stop it. Stop it. Fourth decade covering the NBA. Here's the truth about the NBA. It had 18 golden years, the Magic Bird Jordan years. Before that, it had some Dr. J stuff, some wilt stuff. And after that, it had Kobe Shack, Miami Heat, and LeBron Dynasty. But it's really had, if you look at a graph at the finals rankings,

it's really had that 18-year magic bird Michael Jordan run. And the league ends about 75% as popular, 80% as popular as that. But ask yourself, Major League Baseball, what words do you associate with it? Long, old, traditional. What words do you associate with the NBA? Millennial, dramatic, young social. Which brand do you want to buy? Which stock to use a buy? College basketball now is a three-week bracket.

College football's got two or three teams that can win a title. Baseball attendance is down for four years. They don't market their stars, and the NHL has a low, low ceiling. Take out the NFL, which obviously is the king and always will be in my lifetime. The NBA is a great ascending brand. Globally, it was up 11% last year. It is the most talked about league. and it also is from an ownership and from a commissionership,

they evolved, new ball, new jerseys. They embrace gambling. They're the first league to embrace gambling. We're all in. By the way, the minute Adam Silver fears this load management thing, which I think is real, shorten the season. They're very well run. They're very smart.

It's a Kardashian show. Nobody really watches it, but everybody talks about it, and it drives massive revenue. To me, it's always compared to international. soccer is that villains work. Villains thrive. Dynasties are part of it. Three teams have won 13 World Cups.

I think it's like France, Brazil, and Italy. It's okay. We all know it's the same four teams every year globally in international soccer and they're all driven by stars. That works for that business. Right now in the NBA, I counted this morning, 16 fan bases can't wait for the season to start.

Lakers, Raptors, Nets, Blazers, Mavericks, Celtics, OKC, Sixers, Pacers, Pacers, Pelicans, Clippers, Warriors, Jazz, Rockets, Bucks. And Miami's interested in Jimmy Butler. Half the fan bases, wish the NBA season started tomorrow. Half? How many teams are viable in baseball? How many teams with a shot to win the national championship in college football? This is a viable ascending league.

If you're over 50, it's just generational. You don't get it. You don't have the accounts. You're not on Snapchat. But good Lord, this league is in a very, very good spot. My network here, Fox doesn't even have it. We talk about it 28% of the time. Yesterday, they own the world.

That's where the Women's World Cup going on. And the Yankees and Red Sox playing in London. It is the most discussed league in the world, not name the NFL, and it's fine, even if Kauai goes to the Lakers. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise,

breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports Slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

And for more, follow Timbo Slic Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Welcome to my new podcast. Learn the Hardway with me. and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests.

I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing and we're still chasing it and we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses.

Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on Earth, or are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Games, as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, learn the hard way. Open your free iHeartRadio app.

Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Eric and Soccer is about to explode. The World Cup is coming. Ramos sending on to Ernie Stewart the chip. I'm Tad Ramos. I'm Tom Boe. On our podcast, Inside American Soccer, you'll get the real storylines. I'm not worried about Policic.

I'm not worried about Balligan. I'm not worried about McKinney. My only concern is what happens in the back. The biggest decisions. If you're going to look at stats and numbers, he has no shot at making this World Cup team. And the truth about the U.S. national team. It wouldn't be a huge surprise if our team ends up in the quarterfinals or potentially a great run into the semifinals.

The World Cup is almost here. Experience it all with us. Listen to Inside American Soccer with Tom Bogart and Tab Ramos on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcast. What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano, and our podcast, Point Game is about defying the odds. Like LeBron heading into the playoffs without Luca and Austin Reed. And finding ways to win no matter what. He's the smartest player to ever play the game.

His IQ is at a level that we've never seen before. And he knows without Luca and Austin Reeves, I got to manipulate the game. We get a player's perspective on the challenges of the playoffs. I think Joker's going to be exhausted this series because when they don't have Rudy in the lineup, he has to really guard guys like Nas Reid. He has to guard Julius Randall.

And then he has to give us everything he gives us on the night-to-night basis on offense. And when IT's friends stop by like Quentin Richardson, we dive into some playoff history too. Steve Nash will get that thing. That man, hell get the flying. He running up the court, licking his fingers why he got the ball, like,

after you go through a training camp with that, I said, you figure it out real quick. Get your ass up and down the court, and you're going to get the ball. So listen to Point Game on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. All right, Rick Bueger stops by. Crazy, crazy time.

Okay, so let's just get right to the heart the story, Kauai Leonard Lakers. Yes. Chris Broussard, our friend, it said yesterday it's like the Lakers are very confident. Arash Marcosi came on and said, Lakers feel really good about this.

Can you confirm, deny? What do you hear, Kauai Lakers? I've heard a lot as far as the Lakers are concerned if it ends up being in L.A. I just got off the phone and this is the way the last 24, 36 hours have been. Someone saying that they thought that Toronto had a very good shot to sign him to a one-on-one

and for him to stay. with Toronto, take that one year, then it puts him in the category of a supermax for bigger money and ultimately he has the opportunity to run it back in the Eastern Conference. If he stays in Toronto, they are the prohibitive favorites to win another championship. Let me ask you this, though. So the Lakers would then do what with all that cap space? Utilize it to pick up whatever veterans are out there to fill out. changes the dynamic for them in a big way. They go from being the favorites without question,

the team that has the target on them, to being in the mix in the Western Conference. Just a team. Yes. I mean, look, team that's a contender, but it is wide open in the West. I don't put them, Vegas will give them the odds. I don't, but too many other questions. This is, if they don't get Kauai Leonard at 17-year LeBron. Yes. And they, And they're a good team, but they'll have the worst bench in the league. It rolls back to all the questions that we have. Kauai goes there. It takes a load off of everybody else.

You're not questioning where LeBron is in the arc of his career. You're not questioning whether AD can stay healthy. You're not questioning a lot of things. But if you put Kauai in that equation, you take him out and now it's, okay, is that enough? Can LeBron stay healthy? Can AD stay healthy? Who else are they going to have that's going to add to the mix? It puts a lot of weight on a lot of other things.

Yeah, so they've pushed their poker chips to the middle of the table. Let's shift to Kevin Durant. You had said this, you live in San Francisco, that he always felt a little bit like a second-tier guy to staff. Reports have come out in the last hour that very much you were right on that Katie kind of felt like, hey, it's not my city, it's not my organization, it's not my team. He did. I mean, he's a two-time finals MVP. He's arguably the best player in the league. And yet, with the team and in the city that he's playing in, he's a second-tier guy. That's what he was living with. And ultimately, it was, I'd like to see if I, the rings are, I go back to something that Aaron Rogers said. Like, once he won the ring, it was, is that all there is? Is this it? This is the thing that everybody said I had to have.

He had a couple of them. He's like, okay, so what's the next thing that I need to get? Three would be nice, stuck around for that. But ultimately, I'm trying to achieve and accomplish more than that. What's the next challenge for me? Where can I go where I'm the guy? Now, here's the great question. Where he went? I'm not sure that he accomplishes it there. He didn't get his dream scenario. His dream scenario was to play for the Knicks either with Kyrie or Kauai. He had to settle. for the next best thing that he, the next best thing, which was to leave the Warriors, to play in the New York area, and play with Kyrie. But he didn't get the dream scenario for Kevin Durant. In the end, the injury, how much did it change everything?

Everything. It changed everything. Because I believe that if without the injury, Kevin Durant is in New York Nick right now. And if Kevin Durant is healthy, the Knicks don't have any Kyrie Irving wasn't their first choice but they don't have a problem signing Kyrie Irving along with Kevin Durant

if Kevin Durant is available in playing this next season having Kyrie as the leader of their young team for a year and thinking okay what are we going to look like is this going to be another toxic spill like Boston didn't really want to do that they would have done KD and Kauai and Kauai was willing to meet with them but it wasn't until the third.

So then they were looking at the prospect of, okay, so we're not getting any assurance that Kauai is coming with us. He's just having a meeting. If we don't have Kauai, we're not getting KD. That's too great of a risk to run. Let's go in another direction. Let's do what we can.

We're not going to sign anybody to any max deals because the reality is outside of Kauai and KD, there are no guys that are worth max deals. They could have gone out. I guarantee you, if they had thrown Max money at Kemba Walker, Tobias Harris, or Jimmy Butler, they would have got one or two of those guys. And as of right now, people would be saying, you know what, the Nicks didn't get who they wanted. But you know what, it's not bad.

Plan B, it's okay. And I go back to when the TV money came in and everybody was signing the auto porters and the Tyler Johnsons and everybody, look at who they got and whatever. Everybody regrets those deals. And I dare say that we're going to have a number of deals that are made. this time around that people are going to regret. The Knicks still have work to do. But as opposed to, they didn't get any of the big fish. They're not trapped.

And they didn't, basically they said, look, we're not getting any of the big fish. We're not going to sign a little fish and put a magnifying glass on him and pretend that they're a big fish. Julius Randall contract is three years, not prohibitive. And he's young. And he's a decent player. No, he is an underrated player. What I see in signing guys like Tos Gibson and Julius Randall.

Good guys. And I feel as if this is part of the development of Mitchell Robinson. Mitchell Robinson is there, Pascol Seacom. So it's let's get guys who are great pros who work hard every day, who are going to maximize what Mitchell Robinson can be by playing against them on a daily basis in practice. That's what this is about. Okay, DeAngelo Russell to the Warriors,

feels like at the trading deadline, they're going to flip an all-star guard, who, by the way, they're going to tell everybody how great he's been, what a good guy. And then as Clay's about three weeks out, they flip him for a legitimate big. It feels like a trade piece. Okay. I want to see that trade go down. I want to see who's going to take DeAngelo Russell for that money. This, ooh, that's the smell of desperation. Really? Oh, my goodness. He does not fit their DNA whatsoever. He's a younger Nick Yonel. young. He doesn't play D. He's a me guy. He doesn't play with a high basketball IQ. I am glad that DiAngelo has proved that he's not the bust that his experience in the Lakers suggested that he was.

But you're giving up a future potentially unprotected pick to move Andre Aguadala in order to make the numbers work to sign DiAngelo. I'm not feeling this whatsoever. You don't think they can move them at the deadline? wants a shooting guard. Okay, but for what and for that contract? And as you said, what's that going to be like? I mean, what's he going to look like with the Warriors? They'll make him look better than anybody else could. Steph is the most mature star in the league. And as a result, people are going to go, well, if we don't have a Steph Curry, what's he going to look like with us? Look, if Draymond Green doesn't end up killing him, Steve Kerr might. One of those guys is going to go, De Anzalo, come on.

You just don't have any hope in it. I don't. It's just, it's not a good fit. From what I know about the Warriors DNA and what it's been for the last few years, De Anzalo Russell does not fit. I said the same thing when Nick Young came in. I said, okay, you can always,

you can handle one knucklehead. But they couldn't even handle that one. By the way, I'll join a very rare group. KD. Kyrie Irving, DeAndre Jordan. I don't think that's a championship team. I think it's interesting. I agree with you. And while everybody is high on the nets right now,

I need to see what Kyrie is as a leader. I need to see what KD is a year from now. And DeAndre Jordan, you spent a lot of, that was basically a parting gift. That was paying DeAndre to come along in order for you to get the other two guys. I'm, look, I understand. You were last in attendance.

Yes, no, I get that. Get that. Totally. So from a business standpoint, you had to do it. And if I was in their position, I'd probably have to do the same thing if I was running the nets. But am I certain that it is going to work? I am not certain at all. 66 games. Kyrie Irving's missed that many in three years. Durant's missed 48 in three years. By the way, deep down privately, what do the warriors think Durant's going to be off the injury?

He's been hurt a lot in his career. Yeah. I mean, ultimately, they may feel as if we got the best of what was left of Kevin Durant. And ultimately, we'll see what he is on the other side. I can tell you that Kevin Durant has the same concerns. Everybody's saying he'll be the same, he'll still be an effective, great player on the other side of the things. And Kevin Durant, one of the reasons why he wanted the Super Max

and the sign and trade was, and to play with somebody else, was, well, what if I'm not? It's a legitimate question to ask. Rick Buecker, good seeing you, bud. Same. Go further than ever with a discovery. If a private miles card, limitations apply.

Discover match for new card members only. Go to Discover.com slash travel. They'll double your miles. Automatically match him at the end of your first year. Charles Barkley, hour three, coming up next in the herd. Want more herd? The herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week, within the IHeart radio app.

Search herd to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like. Okay, we have a breaking deal. Ennis Canter, who's a very reliable. you can get 17 points a night out of Anna's Canter, Portland did, has joined the Celtics. So Joy and I had talked about where's their size? They just delivered. It's a great move for them. It's a great

move for Boston. So Boston lost Kyrie, highly skilled point guard, little disruptive in the locker room, they say. Al Horford, super mature. I've always loved Al. And they get Ennis Canter and they get Campbell Walker. Now, collectively,

now I've got Campbell Walker starts. I got Jalen Brown, Marcus smart off the bench. I got Jason Tatum, Gordon Hayward, N.S. Canter. It's a playoff team. I don't know if they're, I mean, it's a good team. It's a good team. I'm surprised you don't love this team more than you love them last year.

I do. You've been in the championship last year. I just got burned on them last year. No, I like them. I just think the league's now, it's got so many good players. It's just so many good teams now. Great bounce back for Boston. Oh, good bounce back for Boston. So, Ennis Canter,

replaces Al Horford. Yeah. And by the way, what do you do with Dallas? I love what Dallas has done, but can they get into the playoffs? I'll tell you, we got about 16, 17 teams today. I love what Utah did. I think the pelicans are fascinating. I don't think they're good enough to make the playoffs, but I think it's fascinating.

What do I know? I guess it's going to watch this stuff work out. I don't know. If you're in your 20s, you know Charles Barkley is the wildly entertaining television guy for TNT. If you're as old as me, you know him as one of the greatest basketball players of all time who could score down low. He could shoot a three. He could score in transition. Who just happened to transition into a great TV analyst.

And Charles Barkley is joining us. So Celtic Scott Ennis Canter, good Lord. You know, let me just ask you front and center about Kauai Leonard. If you were Kauai Leonard, Charles, what team would you sign with? I stay with the Toronto Raptors. Right. Because they haven't missed the playoffs. Right.

You know, you can see that one thing that people are incorporating it. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I agree. Yeah. She's an opinion. They'll be a good, solid team.

Yeah. No. You know, would you think less of Kauai going to the Lakers, though? How do you reconcile it? You respect him, but what would you think of him? I want it, number one, twice. Yeah. Before Kevin went to Rantos this year.

That would be my preference. Well, you know, you make a good point because the Celtics did their job. They drafted Paul Pearson, Rondo, and Perk. And the Bulls drafted Pippin and MJ, and the Heat drafted DeWaid and Udonis Haslam. And Golden State drafted Steph and Clay. So to your point, they had homegrown guys. The Lakers only kept Kuzma. I want to ask you this, though.

I saw a story today by Marcus Thompson, who I absolutely love at the Athletic. He said, Kevin Durant wanted to play with friends. Did that matter to you? Did you give a rip about if they were buddies on your team? Because Kevin Durant, it clearly matters. Obviously, I don't want to be the old guy, get off my lawn, because I don't think that. Yeah, Portland's got Hassan White's side for a year, yes. I actually like that trend.

Listen, because I tell you his name right now. No, Harkless? More Harkless, yeah. I say, Moor Harkless is a good player. Now you put Jim, and that's what it's been real. Yeah, you know, it is interesting. I love the NBA. I've loved it forever because I think it's a personality-driven league.

And I think there are a handful of guys, Magic, Bird, yourself, Jordan, who really elevated it for about a 20-year period where it was big personalities and a lot of fun. Now, I still love the league. But it's different. I mean, I don't want to, you know, I'm in my 50s, Charles, so I don't want to sound like a cranky old guy either. I do wonder, Kevin Durant's a fascinating guy to me. And I was just saying this to Joy. So he comes into the league. He's the number two pick behind Greg Oden.

And then he goes to Oklahoma City. organization likes Westbrook more than him, and then he's always number two to LeBron, and then he goes to Golden State, and he's number two to Steph, and now he's on a Brooklyn team that will be number two to the Lakers for the super team. Do you kind of put your arms around KD and get that he's lived this life where he's always kind of been the number two guy, and maybe it's just like he wants to be the guy. You know what I think is one of those guys one thing you can't rule, but you have to be sore. I want to be successful. I want to be People, ugly people hate them.

You can't worry about what these other fools think about you. They sit around their pajamas and they just live. That's what I think about most people on social media. You have to ask yourself, why are you coming on everything? Why do you have to be me? You'll actually be out. You go, let me get on the computer. No, he does.

He does. You know, there's always a great player in the NBA who drives me crazy. And I've been watching this league forever. Steph Marbury used to drive me nuts. He finished with eight assists, but he really didn't have eight assists. He just got his own shot. The current player who drives me nuts is Kyrie Irving. So he's going to have to run this Brooklyn show for a year, and then Kevin Durant comes in.

How do I put my arms around Kyrie? He bailed on LeBron. He bailed on Brad Stevens. When you were in the NBA, Charles, there were a lot of talented guys, but they didn't play winning basketball. What do you make of Kyrie, the player and the guy, the flat? earth and that I can't I can't I just I just don't get him what do you make of him? This is it sound you know because I'm telling you something when you play when you have to night yeah you know do you finally I don't want to take your day up you probably got a golf

game here I want to get I already hit balls this morning I'm good I'm just I'm oh so we both like New York good bars good fun good media they can't sign anybody You think it's James Dolan, Charles? It's not... Everybody loves New York. They can't sign any of these guys ever. What is it? Well, it's not going to be getting better.

Like, wait, if your team should be like, that's why nobody wants to go there. Same thing with the Lakers. Think about the Lakers. The Lakers wasn't working because, you know, they don't know what the... Who's the best young... You know, he's in Dallas. Well, who's the next best... They're on the next guy.

They just signed him yesterday. Yeah, you're right. I think he is. So if you got good job... Yes. Great job. And they did nice pick. up.

Real nice pickup. Did that trade, Greg, did it go through? It did not go through, but they picked up Seth Curry today. So it's Darko, Porzingis, Seth Curry, and they just added somebody else in the last two hours. They're actually a very good basketball team. I just don't know if they can make the playoffs. Oh, I got to ask you this too. I forgot this.

I got this down. Everybody compares you and Zion. Now, he's not the ball handler you were, and he's not the shooter you were. I've said I don't think it's fair to compare him to you. I do think he's got a little Blake Griffin in him. I think he's a little better ball handler than Carl Malone. When you hear Zion's the next Barclay, what do you think of him as a player? Full talent player.

Yeah. Because he's going to be like, because you know, he's going to be playing the NBA. So he got to get a B.A. Everybody's guys. So he's going to have to get better as a basketball. Boy, that's sure nice of you to take 16, 17 minutes today. You're busy day. You hit golf balls this morning.

By the way, I've watched your golf swing. It's a little better today than years ago. You got rid of that hitch in it. Teacher named Stan. Oh, what to Tahoe, man? I'm getting better. I'm playing bad than I ever play. And let's be careful with the tables, Charles.

There's a reason they build those casinos. You don't win. You got to stay away. Have a cocktail. Say hi to people. How about just 15 minutes max at the table? That's enough. Come on, Colin.

You don't be just talking to stage. Now you're talking crazy. Can you imagine? All right, my man. You have a good day. Okay, man. Hey, thank you guys. Y'all keep up the great work.

Y'all take care of yourself. Charles Barkley. He is so funny. He is just so funny. Joy with the news. No. No. Turn on the news.

This is the Herdline News. There's a lot happening yesterday and today, but we're all still waiting on Kauai and what he's going to do. And reportedly, he had a positive phone call with Magic Johnson yesterday. I know. I know. Roger Turner of the L.A. Times laid out some of the details of the conversations. reporting there was one interesting question that he had for magic. Did you guys try to trade for me when I was in San Antonio?

The answer was yes. The uncle's questions were what's really going on with the organization between you, Jeannie, Rob Polinka, everyone, is it as dysfunctional as we're reading and hearing. And the response was, we had some issues, but we're past that. Well, I do think that the NBA could really use a villain right now, because KD is going to be out for a year. nobody's really worried about the Warriors this year, although I think that's kind of discrediting what they've put together

and what they've done. Let me ask you a question. Kauai goes to the Clippers. What's the finals next year? I have no idea. None. I have no idea. I don't care what Vegas says.

The Lakers should not be favorites. No way. LeBron A.D. Cusman, no bench? Come on. I don't know. Seriously. If he goes to the Clippers, that is, I have absolutely no. I mean, I guess I would take, so because Toronto wouldn't be the same.

So I'd say, I would say the bucks. I would say Milwaukee. No, West, I don't know. And just wait for a trade deadline move or something. I mean, there's a lot that can happen. I mean, we saw what happened this year with KD and all the injuries. Like, it's, who knows? But I will say, though, that if he does come to the Lakers, which I hope he does,

and I hope he stays in Toronto, it would create just an all-time NBA. Just think of the story. the way that LeBron and L.A. would have, like, the storyline of that would have developed from this atrocious year with all this drama, with all the front office dysfunction. And then you get Anthony Davis and Kauai Leonard and you're by far favored to win a championship. And it's the Lakers who already are a polarizing brand, huge brands that people just hate just because they are the Lakers and LeBron. Oh, it would be tremendous. I'm almost kind of talking to myself into it. I might think I like this actually

I've done that in more than one occasion in my life I've talked myself into a lot of it now I think this might not be the worst idea so Katie turned down the most he could get 220 million from the Warriors even with an Achilles injury that could threaten his future earning potential but it was largely due to an opportunity to play with

his friends according to the athletic the decision by Durant revealed what he values most friendship that DeAndre Jordan another one of Durant's close friends is also joining them Kyrie in Brooklyn reportedly underscores exactly play what was most important in Durant's heart. The real driving force was the opportunity to play with his good friends.

He's still a guy who wants to hoop at high levels with his homies. Now, D'Andre Jordan got $10 million for a four-year, $40 million deal, so $10 million a year. And Katie and Kyrie took less money to make that work. He is going to the net for $164 million, passing up $220 million. Sheesh, Louise. But, you know, everything Charles said might be true that Katie cares about what people people think about him. And I think that's kind of just the verdict at this point.

But I also think Katie doesn't really have anything left to prove. I mean, unless your goal is to be the goat and pass Jordan. And quite frankly, most people don't consider Katie to be better than LeBron career-wise, even though I really think it's a very valid discussion because he did beat him in two championships, head-to-head. And you really can't make the conversation about the better team because the Raptors were not considered the better team over the Warriors. and without KD, they did not win.

I just think KD just wants to do what he wants to do at this point. And maybe it has something to do with being with the Warriors, but the way that that ended and showing how much they needed him, I don't really even think that's the narrative anymore. I mean, like Chuck said, I mean, a couple random people on their couch and their pajamas, but who cares about them? I just think that he wanted to do what he wanted to do.

And some people like the East Coast. A lot of people like the East Coast. Everything isn't for everybody. So I don't know. We'll see what happens. It's not going to make a conversation. about Katie this year anyway. So sticking with players, know what matters most of them. Anthony Davis also turned down the Supermax from the Pelicans. He teamed up with LeBron in LA and recently

gave Arash Marcosi, who was on with us earlier. Of the LA Times, his reasoning. He said, my goal is to win a championship. That's what it's about winning titles. It's the only thing in my mind. Money comes and goes. Your legacy is forever. I think how you establish yourself in the NBA and what you do on and off the court is something people will remember forever. At the end of the day, no one cares about how much money you make. I think it's a very healthy way to look at life. I agree. I think that we, I mean, we talk about the money that these guys make because it matters mostly in regards to the salary cap and how teams are going to put them together. I don't think you and I really care how much a team is going to overspend on someone or how much someone is going to make. Now, when we're talking in regularities about someone leaving $60 million on the table, obviously it's very dramatic.

But we're also not considering the money that they're making off the court or the fact that maybe they already have $500 million in the table. bank. What is $60 million for your happiness when you're making that much money? I mean, these are absurd numbers we're throwing around, but this reality. A lot of people, I'm one of them live in L.A. because I know I pay more taxes here. I know in Nevada I wouldn't pay any taxes, but I like the beach. I like 72 degrees. I like my friend. L.A. offers you two pro teams in NFL, college, NBA, baseball, hockey, mountains. Listen, L.A. is a very attractive place for people, especially people who are comfortable with a transient life and moving around.

And like I said with KD, everything isn't for everybody. We may look at a situation and say this makes perfect sense. They may know something we don't know or vice versa. So I think he made the right decision, obviously, if he wants to win championships. We're always going to see what they put around him. But it's interesting. They both have kind of the same perspective for opposite reasons. Joy with the news.

Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Heard Lye News. Who are the 10 best teams in the NBA this morning? I'll give you my list. It's still fluid because of Kauai, but I'll, Celtics just made a move, N.S. Canter, Lord. I've never seen in my lifetime 16 teams, 12 got better.

I mean, we got 16 teams this morning that wake up and like where they're at. That's next, the herd. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHeard Radio app. Tomorrow on Fox, the U.S. faces red-hot England in an epic semifinal clash at the FIFA Women's World Cup. Coverage begins tomorrow at 2 p.m. Eastern on Fox or watch it live on the Fox Sports app. That's going to be absolutely gigantic. Four teams left. I'll be watching. Watch the Gold Cup yesterday. USA struggled. But they did pull off a win. By the way, Truecar.com. Confident car buying experience. You go, see what other people paid for the car you want.

Truecar.com. More confidence when you go to buy a car. So I wanted to do a top 10 NBA teams, hopefully, this morning. But now, Kauai Leonard hasn't signed. I just found out N.S. Canter signed with the Celtics. Dallas has made moves. They signed Seth Curry today. Are they even top 10 teams?

So I thought I would do my top 10 teams, even though Kauai hasn't signed anywhere yet. Number 10. I would go Houston Rockets. I don't love their chemistry. I think there's real tension in the organization. I don't think the owner loves the coach. I think Daryl Morey, the GM, feels some pressure. Chris Paul's knee is a real thing now in April, May, and June.

Ney-N-N-A opted out. They're meeting with Javail McGee. I think their championship window, as everybody in the West, is better as closed. It's really closed if Kauai chooses the Lakers or the Clippers. So I'd say the Rockets are at 10. Number nine. The Blazers, I love their culture. Terry Stott's the head coach.

Damian Lillard is there to end his career. They just signed Squirley but talented Hassan White Side. They also have Nerkich coming back off an injury. They re-signed Rodney Hood. I don't think they're a Western Conference Finals team, but I think again, the

GM, the coach, the star, it's like I see in the NFL, if you got the right owner, GM quarterback coach, I'm good. They got the right GM, they got the right GM, they got the right coach, they got the right star, and they've got legitimate bigs. Number eight. Utah Jazz. I may have them too low. It's kind of a cliche. I think everybody likes what they did in the offseason. They needed shooters and a point guard and they got

everything. They added Bojan Bogdanovich. It's exactly what they needed. He can shoot from Indiana. They got Dan. Derek Favors left, but they got Ed Davis and he's a good rebounder. That's exactly what they needed. They needed a better point guard. They got Mike Conley. So they lose Derek Favors and Rickerubio, and I think they added better pieces. They just needed shooters and they got Conley and Bogdanovich, so they got it, and they get a rebounder, and I love Quinn Snyder, their coach, so Utah's a real team. Number seven. I may have them too low. I just don't know they're big. They'll be the best defensive team in the league, the Philadelphia 76ers, and it's inches not feet separating these teams. M. B. Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris, and Al Horford.

You know, they're big. They are large. They'll combat Milwaukee size. I don't like they lost Jimmy Butler's ability to shoot. JJ Reddick's ability to shoot. They also gave up a lot of shooters to get Jimmy Butler. So I don't love that. But again, you just can't deny their talent. They just got a bunch of dudes. They may lead the NBA in rebounding.

Cross your fingers on M.B.'s health. Hopefully Ben Simmons can shoot a little. But this is a real team. Number six. Let's not forget about the Denver Nuggets. They won 54 games last year. They re-signed Jamal Murray. And they have a kid named Michael Porter, Jr.,

who would have been one of the best college basketball players a year ago but had an injury. Here's clear to play. Paul Millsup, exercise that option. So again, very good team. I didn't buy them this year because I thought they were too young. This year, it's baby steps in the NBA. So they get to the playoffs. They get bouts in the second round.

Now can they win a second round playoff series? Great coach. The Joker's a great star. Jamal Murray is an excellent number two, and they've got a decent bench. Number five. Clippers if they sign Kauai. I don't know if they're a championship team, but they won 48 games last year without Kauai. They re-signed Patrick Beverly.

They've got a tremendous culture. And I think Kauai Leonard, now, I don't think the load management thing works in the West. Kauai can't take 22 games off or they won't make the playoffs because the West is just too good. Number four. I like the Warriors better than everybody else. Clay Thompson's coming back in late February. I think Steph, Draymond, Clay Thompson in February, DeAngelo Russell, if they can keep Kavon Lutie,

Sean Livingston, great culture, new arena, good energy. I think it works. I don't think they're as good as last year, but I don't think they have to be. I like the Warriors culture and their brain power. Number three. Milwaukee, this is where no surprises. They traded Malcolm Brogden. That doesn't help, but they have the best defensive.

player, the best young center arguably in the league. They're all in on Brooke Lopez and Chris Middleton. They have a good culture. They have the right coach. The East is easier. Number two. Raptors, if they sign Kauai. I don't think they'd win, but they have to be in the conversation.

Listen, they won 58 games last year. They're comfortable with load management. Excellent coach, excellent culture. Number one. Lakers, if they signed Kauai. I mean, I'm sorry, LeBron A.D. Kauai. Kyle Kuzma, probably Rajan Rondo.

That's easily the best team in the league. Now, it would be a mostly old pawn shop off the bench, but I'm not sure you need a great bench with that starting team. By the way, I have Boston at number 11. I have Dallas at number 12. There's a lot of good teams. Man, there are a lot of good NBA teams. Can't wait for it.

Want to thank everybody. Speak for yourself as Around the Corner. Charles Barkley, Rick Buecker, Aras Marcosi, Chris Broussard. Good podcast today. If it didn't hear the whole thing, it's the herd. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. And nobody's telling you exactly what happened.

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