The Herd with Colin Cowherd - #thisleague UNCUT: Paul George To The 76ers, Klay Thompson To The Mavericks

Episode Date: July 2, 2024

It’s Chris Haynes and Marc Stein bringing you an all-new #thisleague UNCUT as the free agency frenzy in the NBA has begun! They discuss Paul George opting to leave the Clippers for the 76ers and the new power structure of the Eastern Conference and Klay Thompson’s shocking decision to leave the Warriors after 13 seasons and 4 championships to team up with Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic on the Mavericks. Follow, rate and review #thisleague UNCUT with Chris Haynes & Marc Stein here!https://link.chtbl.com/thisleagueuncut #fsrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Another podcast from some SNL, late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter.

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I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild year. It was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people.

Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifers Show. This is a place for raw, unfilled conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard,

but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to the Clifford show on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Welcome to This League Uncut. In the world of 24-hour NBA news,

this news, you lose. Chris Haynes, it's go time. Mark Stein, it's showtime. Bullsacalaka. This league Uncut is underway. And on fire. This should be a good one. Paul George is a Philadelphia 76er.

Clay Thompson is a Dallas Maverick. Chris Paul is a San Antonio Spur. Russell Westbrook, might he become a member of the Denver Nuggets? The Boston Celtics have re-signed Derek White and Jason Tatum to a $315 million deal, the richest in NBA history and the Celtics have put the team up for sale. Just days after winning, title number 18, I have barely touched on, I've barely scratched the surface of all the things we are going to try to talk about in this edition of this league uncut. Grateful now to connect to my pal in Atlanta. he has been basically on 24-7 free agent duty for NBA TV.

But I found him in Atlanta now. Not going to tell you how he's attired. But we got him. Chris Haynes, great to see you, my friend. NBA free agency, there is. We got to clear. There's nothing like it. We got to clear this up, Stine.

You're not going to put me out here as if I'm doing this podcast in the nude. I just got done working out. I was on the Peloton. and so I didn't have time to shower because NBA TV is picking me up tonight, like in 50 minutes to go do to go do some more TV shows tonight. So that is why I am in a tank top in shorts. I just want to put that clear. I'm pretty sure I said what you're wearing.

I don't think I suggested that you came to this podcast. Well, the way you said it, what you're wearing could be assinuated as I'm not wearing much at all of anything. So I just want to get the record straight. That's all. All right. Let's get to the news, man, because it has been, look, it's been crazy.

I know the start of free agency, it's so funny because every year we get 30 deals in the first 30 minutes and everyone is screaming, tampering, tampering, tampering, tampering, tampering. And then this year, a combination of, A, I do think teams are trying to be a little bit more mindful about the rules to avoid winding up in an NBA investigation. But beyond that, remember, this was the first offseason in the league's new collective bargaining agreement that teams could negotiate with their own free agents the day after the finals. So we did see some deals before the buzzer sounded on free agency officially. So I think that's why the first hours, the first hour of free agency on Sunday night, no free agent changed teams.

But now we have seen quite a bit of action. I reeled through a lot of it off the top. But I mean, I think this will not be a forgotten summer when you talk about Paul George leaving the clippers to go to the Sixers, Clay Thompson. basically forcing a sign and trade to the Dallas Mavericks. Chris Paul now is a spur, you know, there, and there will be, you know, there is still a lot of potential trade action. So there's, it has been a pretty wild, I would say a pretty wild start to free agency.

I remember a couple weeks ago when we were doing this podcast, I, I talked about the forecast of this free agency and I said, I think it's going to be like, I think it, I think the, I think the forecast is showing sprinkles. I think that's the way I said. I think it's going to be showers of sprinkles. Nah, that's not what has happened thus far.

It's really been a significant free agency thus far. And I'm sorry, guys, if you hear my phone going off in the background. I've got to keep this thing on. I'm pretty sure we're going to probably hear that with Stein as well. I don't want to miss anything. I don't have a great bell, though,

when I get a text like you. do. I don't even know how to set that up. So how do you know you get, you got on vibrate? What's your notification? Yeah, just, yeah, just a normal buzz. But I don't know, maybe I need, maybe I need to change. I don't trust the vibration because if it's not, if it's not on my body, I don't know if I would hear it or not.

So I, you'll hear it, you're here a Dane. So that's that. But no, sign, this has been, it's been an eventful free agency. So let's let's get to it. Let's break them down. Well, look, Paul George, obviously, leaving the Clippers to go to the Sixers. I mean, that is the headline. He is a true difference maker.

And look, I haven't even mentioned DeRosen, who is still out there and could possibly change teams. But Paul George, we knew the Sixers were going to want to make a play for him. And we've talked about it a ton how the Clippers just would not move past an offer of three years. They actually came out and explained, even before Free Agency. started after the draft, Lawrence Frank held a press conference and basically kind of spelled out that there were going to be limits in the talks with Paul George. But very early in free agency, the Clippers released a statement basically citing the CBA

multiple times and saying, we know Paul is going somewhere else. We have to do things differently here. And it basically came down to the Philadelphia 76ers incredibly motivated. You know, Darry Mory said after the. draft. We're going to be one of the best teams in the East next season. And that's not just a statement you can throw out there with the moves that the Knicks have made, with the team that Boston has assembled to just win the championship. But everything that the Sixers have done here, they've signed Paul George. They've brought guys like Andre Drummond and Eric Gordon in on

minimums. They've re-signed. They've got agreement. Of course, all these are agreements. Nobody is sign. No one can officially sign until July 6, but they've got agreements with Eric Gordon, Andre Drummond, Kelly Ubre's coming back, and they've got George now. They've got Tyrese Maxi. They used all the cap space, so they gave Tyrese Maxi, his expected Max deal. And now at the top of the east, you just got Boston with their very deep team, the Knicks, who before the draft made the trade from McHale Bridges and now the Sixers who have Tyrese Maxie and Paul George to flank a very happy Joelle M. Bede. Very happy.

Understatement. I didn't think it would get to this point, Stein. I honestly did it. And I knew, because the first time I reported on the possibility of Philadelphia being interested in pursuing Paul George, it was at the trade deadline. in February. That's when I was hearing rumblins about Philly with their max slot, if the clippers didn't make things right with Paul George,

that they would go after them and that Philly would be a prime suspect. That was in February. That was a long time ago. So that just tells you how long the clippers have had to talk, to speak with Paul George and his agent Aaron Mintz, all this time back and forth and still nothing, still unwilling to give Paul George the fourth year. And Paul George in his camp still unwilling to not ask for the fourth year.

And so I didn't think it would get to this point. I really didn't. And going into that Intuit Dome for next season, I kind of thought the Clippers might be in the desperation mode and felt like they had to acquiesce to Paul George. But, sorry, I have a theory. Check this out. I don't know if this is accurate or not.

I don't have any concrete evidence to suggest that this really happened. But remember when Kauai Leonard signed his extension? Back in January, three years, 153 mil. It was less than max, took a pay cut. He didn't get the fourth year. What if Kauai asked for the fourth year back then, but they, the clippers, refused to do so. Did the clippers do right?

I guess I'm asking for your opinion. So knowing that if that happened, could they go to Paul George and give him four years? Will everything be okay? Or did they have to hold their ground and say, you know what, we didn't give this to Kauai back in January? We cannot give you the fourth year, Paul. I'm sorry.

I think that was the strategy they adopted. in hopes that Paul George would ultimately acquiesque and say, okay, I can't, I know realistically I'm not going to get more than Kauai. So I'll take basically the same deal he did. And, you know, again, the clippers, the one thing you can say, they've been very vocal and very open and very on the record about the fact that they didn't think this crazy high payroll that they've been carrying is sustainable anymore. because as Lawrence Frank himself put it,

if money was no object, he would have carte blanche because that's the way Steve Balmer has let him run the team. But carte blanche doesn't matter anymore in the NBA because with the new second apron, it is so restrictive and there are so many ways that team building is curtailed once you go into that second apron. It doesn't really matter what the owner is willing to spend if you can't aggregate salaries and trades

and your draft picks are frozen and you can't use the buyout market and all the restrictions that I'm not even mentioning. Hold on, Stein. Hold on Stein. So I hear you with all that. What I'm asking is if they would acquiesce and gave Paul George that fourth year out of desperation,

would that have, do you think that would have caused problems with Kauai if that was something he asked for in January? You're only asking me to get into the head of the most hard-to-read superstar of probably both your career and mine. So, I mean, I wouldn't think it would go over great. But I would also say, like I said, the Clippers have been so adamant. I just don't think they would have ever considered it. And I think they proved it by the fact that they let Paul George go for nothing, no compensation. think about we cannot forget how much they traded to get this guy.

And again, whenever you say that, you have to remind people that the clippers were not just getting Paul George. By getting Paul George, they were guaranteed to also get Kauai Leonard. So they were really trading for both of them, not just Paul George, but the basic math, the way it's going to be recorded in the history books is five firsts. two pick swaps and Shea Gilgis Alexander all for Paul George to clinch the signing of Kauai Leonard. And to now see Paul George go all the way to the East Coast, which is something a lot of us didn't think he would want to do to see him leave in this manner, to look at three of the four California teams right now,

the state of the clippers, the state of the Warriors losing Clay Thompson, the state of the Lakers losing a free agent face off with the Mavericks to get Clay Thompson. Is Sacramento the only happy California team right now? You can make that argument. You could make that argument. And when was last time the Sacramento Kings were the happiest team in California? I don't know that that's, well, yeah, I don't know. I think last season when they finally made the playoffs and ended a 16-season season playoff drought,

that was a pretty happy time. Yeah, but you still can't consider them the happiest team in California. The Lakers went to the Western Conference finals. And let's see if the Kings. Let's see if they can, you know, they've been looking around on the trade front. So let's see if they, you know, they've been linked with Zach Levine, Kuzma again. Do the Kings make another move? But, yeah, I mean, it's still, it's still quite shocking.

to just look at what's happening to three-fourths of the California teams and then just like the top of the east next season. Stey, on the Paul George front again, man, we were having some communication right before free agency started. And there were a few players that, a few Clippers players, who were notified by Paul George that he was indeed leaving. And at that time, that's when the narrative was that Paul would meet with the Clippers. He would meet with Orlando and meet with Philly when free agency began.

I was kind of suspect on Orlando because I knew how much Orlando wanted KCP. Like, I knew they were going to be hunting KCP. And I was told Orlando were looking for shorter deals. They were not necessarily trying to do four-year deals. And so that's what led me to believe that Philadelphia would be the landing spot. Because if Paul George opted in, I'm telling you right now, if he opted in to his contract, he would have requested the trade. That would have been the parameters, opting in to be traded.

So, you know, Philly, and I reported a couple hours before free agency started that, you know, there was growing optimistic. that the Sixers would land Paul George and free agency. And, you know, it ended up being right. And when you look at what Philly has done, how long they planned this attack or this pursuit, they did it, they accomplished it. They have a great team now. But, again, two of their three main players have health injuries.

I mean, excuse me, have health scares. And they have a problem with being healthy. So if they can stay healthy, that squad is a legitimate championship contending team in the Eastern Conference. Yeah, look, they have not won anything yet. And as we famously know about the Sixers and we always bring up, this team has not been past the second round of the playoffs since 2001, since the Allen Iverson team that went to the NBA finals. But I mean, Daryl Morey last summer, they convinced Tyrese Maxie.

You've got to give us a year. We're going to delay your extension. You will be, you know you're going to get maxed. I told you when I type Maxi into my BlackBerry, this season, Autocrect was changing it to Max. My AutoCorrect knew that Maxi was going to get that five-year, $204 million, $205 million extension, 200 plus million, whatever it is exactly.

but they had to convince Maxie to wait. Maxie had a cap hold of just 13 million. And with all that salary cap space, the Sixers were able to get Paul George, bring back Uvre. They've still got guys, they've still got spots to fill on the roster, but they've got Drummond and Gordon on a minimum.

I mean, they are putting together a team. And look, since you were so kind enough to put me on the spot and ask me to read Kauai's mind, which you ask that question knowing that I can't answer it, knowing that I have no shot to answer it. So I'm going to ask you now, who is the favorite to win the East? Is it the Celtics who've just resigned?

I should rephrase that, who have just come to verbal agreements on new deals with Jason Tatum and Derek White and props to you for breaking Jason Tatum's $315 million contract extension again. It will be the richest deal in league history at least until next summer when Luca Donchich is up for his 350 million-ish deal. But who's the favorite in the East?

Is it the defending champions? Is it the new Sixers with Embed and Maxi and PG-13? Or what about the Knicks who've made this trade for McHale Bridges? Yes, they lost Isaiah Hartinstein to Oklahoma City. And that's a story in itself because the thunder are not known for splashing the cash on external free agents. That's the most that the thunder have ever spent on a free agent who wasn't their own to do a three-year deal worth nearly 90 million with Hartnstein.

But there it is. You tell me who's favored to come out of the East next season. Well, Stein, you can't disrespect the champs. You cannot do that. And I've spoken to a few Celtics players since they won the championship. And they felt like they would have been more dominant had they had, Chris Stops healthy for the playoffs. Because we know they pretty much ran through the NBA during the regular season.

Then they had the health scare with Chris Staps during the postseason. Chris Staps was never able to gain form. Didn't have real time to gain form. You see he had offseason surgery soon after. So they still believe that their best basketball is yet to come. And you know how teams are after they win a championship. They get that confidence. They get that swag about them.

So I'm still going with Boston. I like what Philly has done. Again, if they're healthy, they should be cool. But, Stine, I love, I know they lost Isaiah, but I love what the Knicks are doing. Love what the Knicks are doing. They got that Villanova squad back together. Those guys are, they have confidence.

New York is a scary squad. Also, the Markey Bucks, you cannot dismiss them. Dane will be a bunch. I was going to ask you about the Bucks. You don't think they're, I mean, they've got to be worried seeing all this crazy action now because you know the west was so much better than the east yeah they were and then um you know they're losing their starting shooting guard malik beasley i doubt that they i doubt that the bucks re-signed patrick beverly well they

i think that's a foregone conclusion now that they just agreed to turns with the line right so and that's a good that's a great addition the line leaves miami one of the best backup point guards we have in this league, but they still need some, they still need more work. They still need some more addition. They're just, due to cap restraints, there's not much they can do unless they're looking at some major, major trades, I should say. But, yeah, Milwaukee's in there, but I still put Boston as the favorites. Well, yeah, I don't think the bucks are done.

The question will just be how much with the bucks, with the state of the bucks trade assets, That's how dramatically can they change their team to, you know, we keep hearing these rumbles that Doc Rivers would like to see some changes to the supporting cast for Janice Ante Dicumpo and Damian Lillard. How drastic will those changes be? How drastic do those changes have to be to get the bucks in the zip code of the Celtics and the Knicks and the Sixers? I think you're right.

I think you still have to, you have to favor Boston. They deserve that much after winning it all. And basically they've still got all. all their main guys coming back. Yeah, I mean, it's going to be, it's going to be really fascinating now just to see who wins the East, who comes out of the East,

what the second round playoff matchups will be in the East because there's so much firepower now at the top. But then the West, you know, it's interesting because, well, we got to talk about Clay Thompson to the Mavericks. leaving Golden State. I mean, this story has been pretty much all I've been wrapped up in since last Friday. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast

Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media.

Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need. to be. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your

podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam Jay. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a here. unpack what went down and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 was big to me, not just because of crack.

I'm down to talk about crack all day, but just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. Then you're finishing that sentence. Yes. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history.

Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. And look, I've been expecting it since last Friday. But even as I say that, as we're talking here on Monday night, and now that it's done, the Warriors, just before you and I started recording, the Warriors came out with a long tribute statement to Clay Thompson. in which they noted that, of course, his number 11 will someday be hoisted to the rafters of Chase Center. Even though this thing is now done and official, and Clay is a Maverick, I'm still struggling to believe it, man. Yeah. You know me.

I am an absolute sap. I am a basketball romantic. My last three years at ESPN, and the first year of our friendship was the last of those three years when you and I got to work together. my last three years at ESPN, I was embedded with these guys. It was the first three years of five straight trips to the finals. And I just, I thought they would finish their careers together.

I cannot believe that Stefan Curry and Clay Thompson and Draymond Green, they're not a trio anymore. That's going to take some serious getting used to. Yeah, it is. I can't believe. I'm happy for you. You get Clay. You know, that's your guy.

You get Clay over in your backyard. And so I'm excited for Clay. I know, you know, I was told that he was seeking a fresh start. He wanted to get away. I know the Lakers, and during Free Agency, they felt like last minute. They felt like they had a shot. I know Lakers, they were offering a four-year deal around the $20 million annually range. They thought they had something.

and Clay Thompson stuck to his guns because initially, I know you were hearing the same thing that Mavericks were the team and the lead for his services. So he stayed true to that, three-year deal, signed and trade. It was a little strange, Stine, a little strange, because, you know, once the agreement was announced, you know, the Warriors were like, hold on here, hold on. We didn't agree to anything here. There's not a deal close because obviously it would take a sign and trade

for Clay to get that number. But a couple hours later, the whole sign-in trade was complete. The Warriors got two second-round picks. Green goes to Charlotte. And so the deal was ratified. So, yeah, still, it's going to be surreal for sure until you actually see them wearing a Dallas Maverick uniform. But, yeah, definitely some surprises early in this free agency period.

Well, look, you said it. This was Clay's choice. And the Warriors did offer him a two-year extension in the 50 million range before last season. He turned it down. He felt like that was a sign of disrespect because it was basically half the size of the deal that Draymond Green got just a couple months earlier to re-sign. And he decided to bet on himself last season was a rough one in the bay, not just for Clay, for the Warriors as a franchise, as a team.

I mean, it was just lots of chaos and ups and downs. And, of course, they lose the playing game to Sacramento, don't even reach the playoffs. And the Warriors made the decision that they were going to prioritize the trade chase for Paul George. Before and after the draft, a few days before the draft, few days after the draft, that was Golden State's focus leading into free agency, not hashing out. a deal with Clay Thompson. And that was pretty much it. But, you know, I was stubborn. I didn't want to believe it. The signals really were there all season. And I just, I didn't want to buy into the

notion that we would not get the storybook ending with the Warriors. But you said it. I think Clay does want a fresh start. And I think the real reason that Dallas appeals to him is because he's going to stay in the West. He's going to take the Warriors on head on. He wants to show them that he can still be a difference maker and a key cog on a playoff team. And I know in Dallas, Luca Donchich and Kyrie Irving are thrilled to know that Clay Thompson is on the way to Dallas. And a lot was made about LeBron James recruiting Clay Thompson. Well, Kyrie Irving played on two national teams with Clay Thompson. I covered them both. 2014 World Cup team in Spain, 2016, Olympic team in Brazil. So the Mavericks also had a marquee recruiter to help in their efforts. And they convinced Clay

that this is the place he should be. And again, I still can't believe it even as I say all this stuff. And part of that also is, I mean, you know, I've lived in Dallas for basically the last 25 plus years. I've covered this team. The Mavericks free agent history is tortured. They never get their guy in free agency. So even though this is Clay at 34 and not clay at his Splash Brothers peak, for the Mavericks to win a free agent face off against LeBron and the Lakers, as you can imagine, there are a lot of happy people in Dallas right now.

Stein, when we get time, our next episode or maybe the episode after that, we need an oral breakdown from you on what it was like covering that DeAndre Jordan free agency, where he was basically held captive. I don't think I've ever talked to you about that. So I would love to hear your perspective on all right. I mean, look, that was, I mean, it's funny. You know, there was, it's interesting. There was, you know, there was talk.

God, I hope I'm not revealing too many secrets here. This is actually, now you trick me into, this is a Chris Haynes scenario. Okay, go ahead, go ahead. So, you know, JJ Reddick had his production company, you know, before he became the Laker coach, you know, for most of this season, JJ Reddick was merely a podcaster and broadcaster

and a member of the media. He wasn't the coach of the L.A. Lakers. There were some pretty strong rummings that J.J.'s production company had interest in exploring some sort of documentary on that whole DeAndre Jordan free agent summer, which if you go back and find the tweets, you can find that I was covering that thing from start to finish. Oh, man. When the Dallas Mavericks had a verbal commitment, they thought they had one, the DeAndre

Jordan free agent sweepstakes only for DeAndre to change his mind and return to the Clippers and that was one of the greatest and most unforgettable nights in NBA Twitter history. I don't, and I don't, I don't

mean to laugh. That's my guy, but I remember my guy's tweet, Chris Broussard's tweet on Mark Cuban. It was something like, Mark Cuban is like driving around town. Look at it.

He's driving abasily around town looking for Di Andre George. I wasn't a national guy. I was a national reporter at that time, so I wasn't in on that hunt. So I was just watching from afar. But, nah, that whole fiasco, man, it was definitely entertaining. I will refrain from commenting on that tweet. But let's just say, yeah, that was an absolute circus. But you know what?

The truth is I'm so damn old. I really got to go back and look it all up myself to remember everything. Because I, like, I just, some things I don't remember as well as I used to. And that, like, I certainly remember putting out that first tweet that, you know, the clippers are making moves to try to get D'Andre back. And that just led to a day of, wow. Wow. That was awesome.

Yeah, but that would be, that would be a great documentary. Definitely. Yeah, maybe that's an off-season version of, look, producer Ryan's writing that one now. He's like, in August, we need to do an off-season version of this league. Uncut. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games.

Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined.

And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger.

So if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross

double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down,

and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now.

Thank you for finishing that sentence. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. But look, we haven't gotten nearly as deep into some of this stuff as I was hoping. But, I mean, I've explained what the Mavericks, what the Mavericks are hoping.

I mean, the Mavericks needed to, they desperately needed to add outside shooting. They obviously believe they've done that by completing this sign and trade for Clay Thompson. They signed Najee Marshall to replace Derek Jones Jr., who's now part of the Clippers, post-George squad. The Clippers moves to follow the departure of Paul George. Those have been interesting. Nikola Batum, back to the Clippers. Chris Dunn, as for.

reported by Chris Haynes earlier Monday. He's going to the Clippers. Derek Jones, Jr., going to the Clippers. So they're definitely taken an interesting approach to trying to fill the Paul George void. But naturally, lots of attention in the league will now pivot to. How does Golden State respond to losing Clay? What does Steph Curry think about that? I think we all are very interested to hear what Steph will say.

about the situation and frankly even what Clay says in his first statements about switching teams. And then the Lakers, the Lakers tried to get in the mix for Clay Thompson. They couldn't woo him. They couldn't convince him to spurn Dallas

and stay in L.A., which, look, a lot, you know, the Mavericks were very, the Mavericks were very wary and very nervous about the Lakers entering that race with not just LeBron as lead recruiter, but of course, Clay's father Michael Thompson, the legendary Michael Thompson, still calls Laker games on radio. Of course, he played for the Lakers was part of title winning teams with the Lakers,

and Clay grew up a Laker fan. Clay grew up a Laker fan. Clay, you know, when I see Clay is the OC goat, that is what I call him. He is the best player, Orange County, where I went to hide. school as well, by far the best player ever produced among Orange County high schools. And so I'm sure the chance to go to the Lakers had to, it had to entice him on a lot of levels. But now, of course, the question is, how will the Lakers respond?

Damar DeRosen, I know you've done some reporting on that. How realistic is it that the Lakers could do a deal with Demar DeRosen? because we know the Bulls, the Bulls are very open to trading Zach Levine, but it's been chilly to say the least when we talk about negotiations between DeMar Rosen and the Bulls on a new deal. The Bulls clearly appear like they're going young. Chili, I would consider it frozen. Yeah, I think I would be in polite.

Yeah, I would consider it frozen. Antarctica. You know, so I remember a couple years ago, DeMar, he was, he was, he was, led to believe that he was going to be a Laker before he signed his deal with the Chicago Bulls. Something happened last minute. Damar is always kind of, whenever he's talked about it, he never gives too many details, but he gives you enough to let you know that something went down that he didn't appreciate.

There's still, as a right now, as we record this, there's still nothing going on. Demar is kind of in limbo right now because Chicago, they're trying to move off of Zach Levine's deal. And I said some things on there. I don't know if it was on TV or on my Bleacher Report live stream. I said the Bulls are trying to move Levine and Lonzo Ball. I stand corrected. You know, right now the priority is trying to move Levine, not Lonzo Ball.

But that's where the Bulls have stayed. that's been their stance for a month, over a month already, is that they want to move Levine, and then if Demar is still available, they will shift focus to him to see if there's something that can be done. But the DeMar de Rosen tenure in Chicago is over. So we all know the cap space is very limited out there now. And so it makes it tough.

So a team is going to have to get really creative if they want to try to offer DeRosen. I mean, excuse, offer DeRosen. something more than the mid-level exception. So, you know, with a sign-in-tray, you can get a three-year deal. I know DeRosen will probably be amenable to taking on a one-year deal. So the money, I just don't see him taking the full mid-level exception, which is at 13-mill.

I don't see him doing that right now. So teams are going to have to get creative. All right, look, I know you've got a flight to catch to get back to the West Coast. Like I said, this is the first time that things have slowed down enough. I mean, it has been since going back to last week before the draft, since the draft, this has really been the first lull where you and I could get together and try to spend an hour to do a pod because we've both been going nonstop chasing all kinds of stuff. And look, there is still plenty more to go. Again, DeMar Rosen, where does he go?

Warriors, what move do they make? Lakers, what move is next for them? Trades, we've still got to keep our eye on trade possibilities because, again, the jazz, we know the price tag is going to be high, but their phone keeps ringing. Teams like the Warriors and the Spurs, they're checking in on Lowry Markinen to test Utah's, resolve. Brandon Ingram, I still believe he is going to be moved. I can't tell you exactly when

or exactly where, but I still believe that the Pelicans move Brandon Ingram. Again, DeMar de Rosen is most likely going to need a sign and trade to get to his next destination because, as Chris just said, cap space is scarce, but don't forget that he was in the same position a few summers ago and that sign and trade to Chicago, suddenly he was a bull when it looked like the market was closing up on him. So let's see. Let's see. There's a lot more to come. We got to keep an eye out for the Los Angeles clippers. They are not done. And I'm talking about a trade, maybe trades. We know Russell Westbrook, they're trying to move. us. They are working with him and his representation to try to find the best home that's going

to fit both sides. So keep an eye out for the clippers and what they do. And, you know, we didn't talk about Chris Paul Stein. Chris Paul moving over to San Antonio. You, you called this, Stein, you were on top of that from day one. You were on top of a lot of these. I need to give a shout out here to a Twitter. Before we go, last thing, there's a Twitter account called F5 season. I didn't even remember this, but F5 season is keeping track of all kinds of reports,

and they found that I reported San Antonio's interest in Chris Paul on April 20th. Wow. So thank you F5 season for that coverage, because, you know, like I said, man, my memory, my memory is fading faster than I can keep up with it. All right, that's going to do it for this.

this edition of this league uncut, Mark Stein with Chris Haynes. We will get together again this week when we get our next free agent lull. We got to work in July 4th as well. But we will get together for one more pod to talk about everything that has happened, everything else that we can forecast about what might happen next. Still lots of the NBA offseason. to come and of course Olympic qualifiers, Summer League, the Olympics themselves. There will be no let up. This is going to be a nonstop July. Remember, as always,

follow the show, rate the show, review the show. We would love a five-star review. Stay tuned. Chris and I will be back with you again. Very, very soon. And that'll do it for us. See you next time. This league uncut is an I-Heart radio production. Boomsocala. Chris Haynes and Mark Stein. Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends.

Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On the Look Back at it podcast.

From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild year.

It was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media.

Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Cliford Show. This is a place for raw, unfilled conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok's podcast network on TikTok.

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