Episodes

This week on the Baseline NBA Podcast, we dive into a wild stretch of league headlines. The NBA has officially paused the Kawhi Leonard trade talks as the investigation heats up, and we break down what that means for the Clippers and the league at large. Plus, the Raptors, Heat, and Clippers are heading north for the 2026 NBA Canada Games, and NBA 2K27 is teasing covers featuring Victor Wembanyama, Caitlin Clark, or Derrick Rose — we debate who deserves the spotlight. Then in our Soapbox Soliloq...

The Baseline NBA Podcast breaks down the Thunder–Hawks–Mavs blockbuster trade that sent Lu Dort to Atlanta, Zaccharie Risacher to Dallas, and added even more draft capital to Oklahoma City’s massive offseason haul. We dig into how OKC’s $224M payroll reset reshapes their roster, what Risacher brings to the Mavericks, and how Atlanta pivots with Dort and Ryan Nembhard. We also run through the best NBA free agents still available, including LeBron James, Draymond Green, DeMar DeRozan, Bradley Beal...

The NBA offseason has officially gone off the rails. In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we break down a wild week of movement across the league — from Kawhi Leonard’s shocking return to Toronto and LeBron leaving the Lakers after eight seasons, to Ja Morant landing in Portland and LaMelo Ball heading to Minnesota. We dive into every major trade, opt‑out, signing, extension, and RFA update shaping the new NBA landscape. We cover the Suns’ push for Miles Bridges, Miami’s deal with Tim H...

The NBA offseason is already delivering fireworks. In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we break down the blockbuster trade sending Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat and examine how the move reshapes the Eastern Conference and the NBA championship landscape. We also wrap up the First Round of 2026 NBA Draft, discussing the biggest winners and losers, our favorite selections, surprise picks, and which rookies are best positioned to make an immediate impact. From franchise-altering ...

The 2026 NBA Finals are in the books, and we're breaking down how the New York Knicks captured their first championship in decades by dispatching the San Antonio Spurs in a convincing Gentleman’s Sweep.In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we recap the Finals, discuss what went right for the Knicks and what went wrong for the Spurs, and close out the season with our final edition of The Autopsy Report. We examine the futures of both franchises, whether either team can return to the NBA F...

n this edition of The Autopsy Report, The Baseline NBA Podcast examines the shocking Conference Finals exits of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers. After dominant regular seasons and championship aspirations, both teams fell short of reaching the NBA Finals. We break down what went wrong, from coaching decisions and roster construction to playoff adjustments, star performances, and the critical moments that altered their postseason fate. Were these simply growing pains for two co...

The stage is set for the 2026 NBA Finals, and The Baseline NBA Podcast is bringing together the full 19 Media Group panel—Cal "Game Face" Lee, Warren Shaw, Desmond Powell, Gerald Brown and Rashard Grove—to break down one of the most compelling Finals matchups in recent memory. New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs isn't just a battle for a championship—it's a clash of history, legacy, and opportunity. he Knicks are seeking their first NBA title since 1973, ending a 53-year championship drought,...

In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we open another edition of The Autopsy Report as we break down the seasons and futures of the Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons, and Toronto Raptors. From championship expectations and playoff disappointments to rebuilding timelines and organizational direction, we examine what went wrong, what still works, and what each franchise must address moving forward. Are the Lakers running out of time? Did the Timberwolves miss the...

The road to the NBA Finals is officially set. In this special live edition of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we react to the Cleveland Cavaliers dominant Game 7 win over the Detroit Pistons and discuss the biggest takeaways from one of the most physical semifinal series of the postseason. Then we preview both NBA Conference Finals matchups as the Cleveland Cavaliers prepare to battle the New York Knicks in the East, while San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder clash in the West. From superstar ...

In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we break down the biggest stories shaping the league, beginning with the Dallas Mavericks making major front office moves by hiring Masai Ujiri as President and Alternate Governor and naming Mike Schmitz General Manager. What does this mean for the Mavericks’ long-term vision and roster direction? We also discuss Steve Kerr becoming the NBA’s highest-paid coach as the Golden State Warriors reportedly prepare to extend Stephen Curry and aggressively p...

In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we open up The Autopsy Report on three teams whose playoff exits raised more questions than answers — the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, and Houston Rockets. Each entered the postseason with expectations, but all three were unceremoniously bounced in the first round, forcing a hard look at roster construction, star leadership, coaching decisions, and long-term direction. What went wrong for Boston? Are Denver’s championship windows tightening? And di...

This week, we put the spotlight on two Eastern Conference teams that fell short of expectations — the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls. The Bucks’ season unraveled in the most unexpected ways. A struggling defense, inconsistent guard play, and lack of depth led to a disappointing finish outside the playoff picture. While there were flashes from emerging contributors, the overall roster construction raised serious questions about the team’s direction moving forward. Meanwhile, the Bulls leaned...

In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we dive into another edition of The Autopsy Report, breaking down the current state of the Golden State Warriors and Charlotte Hornets. For Golden State, we examine what’s gone wrong — Is this the final run with Kerr, Draymond and Steph under "The Town" from roster construction and inconsistent production to the challenges of sustaining a championship core in today’s NBA On the other side, the Charlotte Hornets have shown flashes of promise but cont...

In this episode, we sit down with documentary filmmaker Sascha Gardner, one of the creative minds behind Netflix’s acclaimed Untold series. Known for uncovering the deeper stories behind some of sports’ most misunderstood moments, Gardner joins us to discuss his latest project, Untold: Jail Blazers. We dive into the story of the early 2000s Portland Trail Blazers—an immensely talented team whose legacy became overshadowed by controversy and the infamous “Jail Blazers” label. Gardner breaks down...

The NBA Playoffs are here and The Baseline crew pulled up with a full 2026 Play-In + First Round preview — East and West.Cal Lee, Warren Shaw, and Jabari Davis break down every major matchup with a blend of X’s and O’s, culture talk, and that honest playoff energy:In this episode: East Play-In & SeedingHornets vs Heat: Is Charlotte officially the team nobody wants to see? Why Miami’s “we’ll figure it out in April” energy might finally catch up to them Sixers vs Magic: Maxey, PG and depth vs O...

This week, The Autopsy Report continues as we break down the Brooklyn Nets, Utah Jazz, and Dallas Mavericks—three teams at very different stages, but all facing critical organizational questions.We examine roster construction, front office vision, and whether each franchise has a clear identity or is still searching for direction. From Brooklyn’s reset, to Utah’s asset-driven approach, to Dallas navigating a win-now window, we’re digging into what’s working, what’s not, and what comes next.Is t...

The season’s over… now it’s time to examine what went wrong. In this debut installment of The Autopsy Report, we put the Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers, and Sacramento Kings on the table and break down the real causes behind their early playoff...

In this special edition of FaceTime w/ The Baseline, we sit down with filmmakers Corey Colvin and Carlton Sabbs, the visionary directors behind the Prime Video documentary Meal Ticket. Hailing from Chicago, the duo brings a powerful blend of storytelling, culture, and lived experience to the screen. We dive into their creative journey, their transition into feature documentary filmmaking, and how their backgrounds in music, sports, and visual storytelling shaped the making of Meal Ticket. The f...

The NBA season has been a roller coaster — and it’s time for a reality check. In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we revisit our preseason predictions and break down what we got right… and what we completely missed. From rising stars to unexpected team success, we take an honest look at how the season has unfolded. We discuss why our tempered expectations for Amen Thompson proved accurate, how the San Antonio Spurs — led by Victor Wembanyama — are ahead of schedule, and why Kon Knueppe...

Not every non-playoff team is truly rebuilding — some are simply waiting for the right moment to break through. In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we introduce “Proof of Life,” a deep-dive exercise where we identify one team from the Eastern Conference and one from the Western Conference that could rise from outside the playoff picture and reach the postseason next year. We examine teams like the Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, Memphis Grizzlies, Dall...

In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we re-evaluate and re-draft the 2018 NBA Draft class featuring Luka Dončić, Trae Young, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Brunson, and DeAndre Ayton. With multiple All-NBA players, franchise cornerstones, and late-pick steals emerging from this class, we break down the biggest hits, the most surprising misses, and how the draft order should look today. Was DeAndre Ayton the right No. 1 overall pick? Should Luka have gone first? How high would SGA and Bru...

The NBA playoff push is here, and the spotlight is on the players who can change everything. In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we break down the stretch-run impact of Jalen Green (Phoenix Suns), Tyler Herro (Miami Heat), Jabari Smith Jr....

The NBA is at a turning point — and Commissioner Adam Silver knows it. In this episode of The Baseline NBA Podcast, we break down Adam Silver’s latest press conference and what it means for the future of the NBA, including the league’s growing...

Buzz City is alive. The Charlotte Hornets have ripped off their first nine-game winning streak since 1999 and now sit just one win away from tying the franchise record set in 1997-98. In just three weeks, they’ve gone from the bottom of the Eastern Conference to the 10th seed at 25-28 — completely flipping their season. So what changed? We break down the Hornets’ stunning surge, powered by a true “committee” approach: Brandon Miller emerging as the offensive engine, leading the team in scoring ...