The Lowe Post

Zach reacts to Adrian Wojnarowski leaving ESPN, divides the Eastern conference into tiers, and then brings in Steve Jones Jr. of The Dunker Spot to explain why these 8 teams will be worth watching: the Wizards, Hornets, Bulls, Raptors, Jazz, Blazers, Nets, and Pistons.  :15- Zach's thoughts on Woj's retirement from media 9:30- Tiering out the east 14:00- What to make of Milwaukee 20:00- Things to look forward to in Toronto 27:15- Young pieces for the Wizards 38:45- What does a healthy Hornets team look like? 48:35- Cade Cunnigham's growth around the Pistons offseason acquisitions. 55:50- Is there any joy in watching the Nets? 1:02:10- Can Josh Giddey's fit into Chicago change the Bulls future? 1:09:15- Jazz music playing? 1:21:20- The Blazers underrated depth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach Lowe and Mo Dakhil discuss the biggest question marks surrounding the Orlando Magic, Indiana Pacers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Miami Heat and if any of those teams can upset the top four of the Eastern Conference in a playoff series. Also, they debate if Jayson Tatum gets his proper respect as an NBA Superstar. All that and more! 3:30 Which of the young playoff teams in the East has the brightest future? 17:15 Where does the playmaking come from for the Orlando Magic? 26:35 Can Indiana's defense improve this season? 39:00 Can Cleveland get their pieces to fit together? 46:50 Will Jimmy Butler have a bounce back season? 57:00 Will Jayson Tatum ever win an MVP? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach Lowe and Bobby Marks discuss Jamal Murray signing his contract extension with the Denver Nuggets and what that means for the Nuggets title window, the trade rumors surrounding Julius Randle and Brandon Ingram, and which 4th year rookie scale contract extensions they expect to come through. All that and more! :55- Jamal Murray's contract extension 11:15- Can Christian Braun takeover the KCP role for Denver? 19:35- How do the Nuggets shift their offensive focus with new role players? 21:25- Julius Randle's looming extension 28:20- Trade ideas for Julius Randle 36:30- Will Brandon Ingram and the Pelicans work out an extension? 44:55- Indiana Pacers moves around the margins and what it means for Myles Turner 49:30- Rookie Scale contracts entering their 4th year in search of an extension 49:35 Cam Thomas 52:45- Alperun Sengun and Jalen Green 57:05- Is Jonathan Kuminga a max for the Warriors? 1:03:15- What is Jalen Suggs number? 1:05:30- Josh Giddey's role in Chicago 1:09:20- Joel Embiid's contract situation

Zach Lowe is joined by Kevin Pelton to discuss the Olympics and all of the late offseason news from around the league, then they discuss the teams they have the most questions for after this summer, and which players they think are the most intriguing heading into the 2024-2025 NBA season. All that and more! 3:45- Recapping Team USA's nerve racking quest for Gold 11:15- Are the Suns in a better position to compete heading into next year? 20:00- How concerning is the Jamal Murray situation in Denver? 22:45- Can the Bucks return to championship contention? 26:00- Can the new look 76ers piece together a contending roster? 32:35- Is Wemby ready to take the Spurs into the next stratosphere? 45:00- Are the Memphis Grizzlies ready to reclaim the West throne? 48:00- Most intriguing 49:30- Can Jaren Jackson Jr. return to DPOY level? 52:00- What will the Jazz do with Walker Kessler? 55:05- Has Tyler Herro reached his ceiling? 1:01:30- Trey Murphy III's continued ascension. 1:05:00- Can Shaedon Sharpe carve a role in P

Zach Lowe is joined by Tim MacMahon to discuss the lingering trade rumors surrounding Lauri Markkanen and Brandon Ingram heading into the 2024-25 NBA Season and what they make out of the Phoenix Suns. Then, Adam Mares joins the show to figure out if the Denver Nuggets can find a way back to being a championship level team and finally Jon Krawczynski joins to discuss the moves the Minnesota Timberwolves have made this offseason, and if they are ready to take over the west this season. (1:50) Lauri Markkanen trade rumors (7:00) What is the plan for the Utah Jazz? (13:30) Will Brandon Ingram get moved? (22:15) Can the Phoenix Suns bounce back next season? (35:15) Tim MacMahon's early pick to win the western conference. (42:08) Adam Mares on the Denver Nuggets (51:25) How does Denver improve their offense? (1:03:30) What will Russell Westbrook's impact be for the Denver Nuggets (1:12:30) Jon Krawczynski on the Minnesota Timberwolves (1:18:30) Does Anthony Edwards have another leap in his game? Learn more about y

Zach and Fred Katz discuss Team USA winning competitive exhibition games and how they feel about the team heading into the Olympics, then they discuss the most interesting win totals by ESPN Bet and which teams they think will surpass or fail to meet expectations, and if there are any moves left to make for the New York Knicks. All that and more! Team USA's Tough Games against South Sudan and Germany (1:00) What teams are the biggest threat to Team USA (13:45) Kevin Durant's injury severity (18:00) ESPN Bet Win Totals Over/Under (25:30) How competitive will the Spurs be in Year 2 of Wemby? (26:20) The Cavs running it back (32:05) What to make of the Sacramento Kings (43:00) Can the Orlando Magic make another leap (56:45) How good are the Bucks? (1:08:45) Knicks discussion (1:12:30) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and Seth Partnow discuss what the Raptors and Hornets are up to before weighing in on some offseason winners and losers. Then ESPN's Jamal Collier joins for the latest on the Bucks. Plus, Russell Westbrook is reportedly headed to Denver. Raptors (3:01) Banchero vs. Barnes (24:58) Hornets (32:21) Offseason winners and losers (49:45) Collier (1:01:49) Middleton's ankles (1:02:57) The Dame-Giannis pick and roll (1:13:09) Russell Westbrook headed for Denver (1:22:47) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and ESPN's Kevin Pelton discuss Jalen Brunson's extension with the Knicks and whether or not it will be a precedent in the apron era, the Warriors' pursuit of Lauri Markkanen, and a look at a few teams that make you wonder about their direction. Brunson's extension (1:04) Will this be a precedent? (12:34) Where do the Knicks stack up in the East? (19:43) Warriors' pursuit of a Markkanen trade (25:16) WTF are these teams draft (39:58) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach looks back on the Paul George-Kawhi Leonard era of the Clippers. Then ESPN's Tim MacMahon joins to take stock of the Warriors, possible Lauri Markkanen trade teams, and the state of the Memphis Grizzlies. The Kawhi-PG era (1:01) Tim MacMahon (19:21) Team USA latest (20:11) Current state of the Warriors (30:34) Markkanen trades (43:58) Don't sleep on the Grizzlies (1:10:01) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and ESPN's Chris Herring react to Paul George's comments about his contract negotiations with the Clippers, discuss the Heat losing Caleb Martin to the Sixers, the Kings trading for DeMar DeRozan, and the Bulls' attempt at a rebuild. Then ESPN's Brian Windhorst joins to preview a loaded Olympic field and Team USA's biggest questions. Paul George on his contract talks with the Clippers (4:26) What are the Clippers now? (18:16) The Heat lose Caleb Martin to the Sixers (24:02) The Kings trading for DeMar DeRozan (37:42) The disaster for the Bulls (54:39) The Magic need a PG (1:07:06) Windhorst (1:09:27) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and ESPN's Kevin Pelton discuss the Klay Thompson sign and trade to the Mavericks, the state of the Warriors, potential moves for the Lakers, the Cavs re-signing Donovan Mitchell, and the Top 3 free agency winners. Klay to the Mavs (1:01) Sizing up the Warriors (24:06) The Heat made a move (35:27) Lakers' off-season (37:51) Cavs re-sign Donovan Mitchell (50:26) Lull in the trade market (1:03:45) Celtics are for sale (1:06:43) Kevin Pelton's Free Agency Olympics (1:10:20) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and ESPN's Bobby Marks discuss the Clippers losing Paul George to the Sixers, Klay Thompson leaving the Warriors, landing spots for Lauri Markkanen, free agent options for the Lakers, the Thunder adding Hartenstein, the Pelicans trading for Dejounte Murray, the Magic getting KCP, the Raptors re-signing Barnes and Quickley, and more. Hartenstein to sign with OKC (2:45) Paul George agrees to max deal with Philly (4:45) Impact of the second apron (19:58) Philly aced the off-season, but it's put up or shut up time for Embiid (27:13) Milwaukee is dropping down the power rankings in the East (37:17) End of an era in Golden State (41:06) Landing spot for Lauri Markkanen (51:36) Lakers' options (59:42) Rapid fire on other deals (1:06:40) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and ESPN NBA Draft Analyst Jonathan Givony discuss the Knicks trading a haul to Brooklyn for Mikal Bridges, the Nets rebuild, Houston acquiring Suns' picks, Minnesota moving up for Rob Dillingham, Dalton Knecht falling to the Lakers, Portland adding Avdija and Clingan, and much more on the draft. Knicks trade for Bridges (2:35) Nets need a nap after last 12 years (13:50) Knicks' draft night (22:39) Houston acquires Suns' picks (25:55) Spurs take Castle at #4 and then trade #8 to Minnesota (32:04) Rapid fire on surprises from the draft (42:20) How the centers shook out- Edey to Memphis, Clingan to Portland (49:17) The case for optimism in Milwaukee (1:02:23) Paul George latest (1:08:25) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach Lowe and ESPN Draft Expert Jonathan Givony discuss the Cavaliers hiring Kenny Atkinson and what that means for Darius Garland and the future of their franchise. Then they preview the top of the NBA Draft and potential trades what trades, some of their favorite sleeper prospects, and look at possible landing spots for Paul George. Kenny Atkinson hired by the Cavs (1:02) Is Darius Garland a part of the Cavs long-term future? (6:45) How the second apron affects the off-season (12:30) What the Hawks are going to do with the 1st overall pick (21:32) How do the Spurs build around Wemby (24:34) Does Houston take a swing (34:17) Reed Sheppard's intrigue as a prospect (42:58) Will Zach Edey work in the NBA? (46:27) Sleepers for the Draft (53:03) Paul George talk (56:14) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and ESPN's Bobby Marks talk through all of the angles of the Alex Caruso-Josh Giddey trade, look at landing spots for Paul George, weigh in on the Kings' cap sheet and potential moves, and discuss the state of the Lakers now that they've landed a head coach in JJ Redick. Sam Presti's press release on Giddey trade (1:21) Chicago's rebuilding plan (3:41) Giddey's limitations (12:38) OKC with Caruso (17:01) Paul George buzz (28:02) Fake Paul George opt-in and trade scenarios (34:19) Malik Monk re-signs in Sacramento (44:12) The Lakers hire JJ Redick (50:51) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla joins The Lowe Post to discuss his flashbulb memories after winning the championship, his analytical approach, the challenge of repeating, and the role of luck in the playoffs. Then Jeff Van Gundy joins to discuss his role as an advisor to the Celtics and why he decided to join the Clippers staff as Ty Lue's lead assistant. Plus, the Pistons' firing of Monty Williams and the Pacers' extension with Pascal Siakam. What was said in the halftime lockerroom of Game 5 (2:34) Flashbulb memories from the postgame blur (4:45) On how he and Zach ran into each other on the court before Game One (7:23) Learning from his personal Mount Rushmore of coaches (12:07) The influence of his father (15:12) How quickly this has all happened for him (22:45) Implementing his style in his first full off-season as the head coach (24:40) The 4th quarter of Game 3 (28:28) The impact of Al Horford (34:14) On the challenge of repeating (35:47) Van Gundy (41:13) On what he did for the Celtics (44:42)

Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Zach Lowe to react live to the Boston Celtics winning the 2024 NBA Finals. The guys are joined by surprise guests including legendary sportswriter Jackie MacMullan, Celtics' legend Cedric Maxwell, ESPN's Tim Bontemps & Tim MacMahon and more to break down what the difference was for Boston, the future potential of this team and way more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and ESPN's Kevin Pelton discuss the Mavericks' monster win in Game 4, Luka Doncic's improved defensive effort, Dallas' physicality, how Kristaps Porzingis' absence was felt, and the slim chances the Mavericks have to get the series back to Dallas. Mavericks rout Celtics to stave off elimination (1:35) Luka's defensive effort (6:12) The absence of Porzingis (16:16) Boston's offense coming and going (22:28) How Porzingis can open things up for the Celtics (33:39) Dallas' chances to extend this series (41:11) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and Mo Dakhil of The Athletic discuss Luka Doncic fouling out of Game 3, Boston's offensive woes in the 4th quarter, who their Finals MVP is at this point, and the legendary life of Jerry West. Celtics survive late rally from Mavs to take 3-0 lead (1:08) Luka's fouls (5:14) Boston's 4th quarter meltdown (10:21) Why can't Dallas generate more 3s? (20:31) How much did Boston miss Porzingis? (26:20) Holiday trade put Boston over the top (34:50) Trading away Smart was the right move (44:14) Finals MVP so far (48:33) Remembering Jerry West (51:14) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and Steve Jones, Jr. of The Dunker Spot react to the news of Kristaps Porzingis' leg injury and what it could mean for the Mavericks and Celtics if he can't play in Game 3. Plus, Boston's commitment to driving the ball, ways for Dallas to crack the Celtics' defense, and Dan Hurley turns down the Lakers job. Entire series summed up in one stat (1:30) Boston's optionality on offense (5:31) Celtics are committed to driving the ball (9:49) Kristaps Porzingis has torn medial retinaculum allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon in his left leg (22:04) What changes if Porzingis can't play in Game 3? (24:21) Where can Dallas poke holes in Boston's defense? (37:13) More potential consequences if Porzingis can't play (43:14) Dan Hurley turns down Lakers' job (50:50) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices