Hardwood Knocks

Dan and Grant drop their 2026-27 NBA season record predictions and over/under picks for EVERY team in the Eastern Conference. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO5:28 - Atlanta Hawks13:41 - Boston Celtics17:54 - Brooklyn Nets22:29 - Charlotte Hornets27:48 - Chicago Bulls31:33 - Cleveland Cavaliers35:47 - Detroit Pistons40:49 - Indiana Pacers44:11 - Miami Heat48:48 - Milwaukee Bucks56:36  - New York Knicks1:02:49 - Orlando Magic1:11:14 - Philadelphia 76ers1:18:00 - Toronto Raptors1:23:06 - Washington Wizards1:28:41 - BEST PICKSSUPPORT US ON PATREON

Dan is joined by Bryant Toporek (@btoporek) of Bleacher Report, Forbes and Liberty Ballers to discuss their biggest takeaways, reactions, questions, etc. from all the various 2026 NBA Media Days! TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO2:41 - Drinking 76ers Kool-Aid11:24 - Nikola Jokic addresses his future19:58 - Jalen Duren updates + Ausar Thompson’s handle29:45 - Brandon Ingram’s Achilles injury35:05 - The Raptors’ frontcourt39:49 - Are the Warriors screwed?45:54 - The Knicks’ extensions are becoming a distraction55:21 - San Antonio’s Dylan Harper problem1:02:19 - Who should start in Utah?1:04:55 - Brandon Miller is ready to rock for the Hornets1:08:46 - Ivica Zubac's fit in Indiana1:13:05 - The Brooklyn Nets are…1:16:17 - AJ Dybantsa GETS IT1:18:30 - Favorite media day quotesSUPPORT US ON PATREON

Dan is joined by Wes Goldberg (@wcgoldberg) from Locked On Heat, Locked On NBA and RealGM Radio to break down the 2026-27 Miami Heat. SUBSCRIBE TO Locked On Heat ON YOUTUBE. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO1:38 - The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade5:08 - Giannis’ offensive impact8:38 - Do the Heat have enough ball-handling?10:43 - Pelle Larsson’s development + The fifth starting spot12:43 - Bam Adebayo’s offensive role16:44 - Can the Heat generate offense without Giannis?18:04 - Miami’s defensive ceiling23:06 - Bobby Portis Jr. + backup big rotation26:16 - Klay Thompson vs Tim Hardaway Jr.27:13 - Dru Smith vs Simone Fontecchio28:33 - The Pelle Larsson extension31:01 - Early impressions of Ryan Conwell and Myron Gardner33:46 - HIGHER OR LOWER?!36:36 - Biggest needs37:53 - The importance of Erik Spoelstra39:19 - Top-10 rotation40:04 - Go-to crunch-time lineup41:04 - Weirdo lineups we want to see42:36 - Miami Heat fanbase vibe check44:54 - PREDICTIONSSUPPORT US ON PATREON

Dan is joined by Sam Cooper (@scooperhoops) and Mike Vigil (@protectedpick) from The Timeline podcast to break down the 2026-27 Phoenix Suns! Subscribe to The Timeline on YouTube HERE. Support Mike and Sam on Patreon HERE. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO1:32 - Biggest takeaways from last season5:02 - Overall offseason impressions7:38 - The Miles Bridges trade and fit12:18 - Phoenix’s other moves14:02 - Dillon Brooks’ role19:58 - Can the Suns lighten Devin Booker’s workload? / Oso Ighodaro’s impact27:26 - Khaman Maluach’s development and ceiling36:40 - How good is Rasheer Fleming?42:14 - Can Jalen Green work on this team?45:11 - Stylistic changes from Jordan Ott48:12 - Early impressions of Koa Peat53:30 - Haywood Highsmith or Ryan Dunn?55:21 - Biggest needs55:57 - Undercovered storylines57:29 - Top-10 rotation1:01:05 - Go-to crunch-time lineup1:03:16 - Weirdo lineups we want to see1:06:09 - PREDICTIONSSUPPORT US ON PATREON

Dan is joined by Salt City Hoops’ Dan Clayton (@danclayt0n) and Mark Russell Pereira (@jazzmanmark) to break down the 2026-27 Utah Jazz. Follow all of Salt City Hoops’ Jazz coverage HERE. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO2:17 - The Walker Kessler trade8:29 - Should the Jazz have done more to replace Kessler?10:17 - Changes to the Jazz’s defense14:23 - Jaren Jackson Jr. at the 518:28 - Jaren Jackson Jr.’s offensive usage23:24 - Keyonte George’s continued development39:19 - Early impressions of Darryn Peterson53:26 - Ace Bailey’s development and role57:28 - Who will the Jazz start?1:03:29 - Will Hardy juggling development with heightened expectations1:08:01 - Ranking Isaiah Collier, Kyle Filipowski and Brice Sensabaugh1:11:10 - Who draws the most fouls?1:14:58 - The Jazz’s offensive ceiling1:17:43 - Biggest needs1:19:28 - Who guards the opposing team’s player?1:20:40 - Top-10 rotation1:22:48 - Go-to crunch-time lineup1:24:36 - Weirdo lineups we want to see1:27:53 - Brice Sensabaugh’s future1:28:51 - Will Utah be active

Dan and Grant are grading the 2026 NBA offseason for EVERY team! NEXT UP: The Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO3:08 - Grading criteria5:40 - Dallas Mavericks21:13 - Houston Rockets39:05 - Memphis Grizzlies50:05 - New Orleans Pelicans58:37 - San Antonio SpursSUPPORT US ON PATREON

Dan is joined by Nick Crain (@CrainNBA), Jacob Kniffen (@JacobKniffen) and Tayler Peterson (@Tayler_P15) from The Uncontested podcast to break down the 2026-27 Oklahoma City Thunder. SUBSCRIBE TO THE UNCONTESTED ON YOUTUBE, and SUPPORT THEM ON PATREON: https://t.co/RoXfK1lcdL. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO4:21 - Themes from last season8:17 - Oklahoma City’s collateral damage14:56 - Who picks up Lu Dort’s defensive workload?16:43 -  Jalen Williams’ “return”21:28 - Trickle-down effect of Dort’s absence24:41 - Cason Wallace’s role and future34:06 - Can Chet Holmgren be more aggressive?42:12 - Ajay Mitchell’s continue development47:56 - Jared McCain’s fit52:46 - The Thunder’s approach to player development55:16 - Bennett Stirtz, Thomas Sorber, Aday Mara1:00:02 - Importance of Kenrich Williams1:08:04 - Biggest needs1:09:21 - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stats1:10:23 - OKC’s shooting1:10:41 - Top-10 rotation1:13:01 - Go-to crunch-time lineup1:13:23 - Weirdo lineups we want to see1:16:41 - PREDICTIONSSUPPORT US ON PATREON

Dan is joined by Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) from Bleacher Report, Liberty Ballers and Forbes to break down the 2026-27 Philadelphia 76ers! Follow Bryan’s written Sixers work at Liberty Ballers. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO1:33 - Impressions of the Sixers offseason4:41 - tHeRe’S oNlY oNe BaLl12:22 - Joel Embiid’s role16:47 - VJ Edgecombe’s development20:52 - The Jaylen Brown discourse30:39 - Philly’s backup big rotation37:43 - The defensive ceiling44:59 - Early impressions of Labaron Philon Jr.48:50 - Biggest needs51:56 - Sixers depth + Top-10 rotation57:22 - Go-to crunch-time lineup59:19 - Weirdo lineups we want to see1:01:30 - Joel Embiid’s availability1:04:46 - PREDICTIONSSUPPORT US ON PATREON

Dan is joined by Kyle Theige (@KyleTheige) from The Dane Moore NBA Podcast to break down the 2026-27 Minnesota Timberwolves. SUBSCRIBE TO THE DANE MOORE NBA PODCAST on YouTube. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO2:32 - The Wolves’ offseason8:04 - LaMelo Ball’s arrival and fit18:24 - How much faster will the Wolves play?19:11 - Anthony Edwards-LaMelo Ball dynamic28:52 - The Jonathan Kuminga gamble42:16 - Can Jaden McDaniels play the 4?48:06 - Minnesota’s reliance on Rudy Gobert53:41 - Is Joan Beringer ready?57:54 - Terrence Shannon Jr. or Jaylen Clark?1:03:12 - Donte DiVincenzo’s future1:09:23 - Ayo Dosunmu’s role1:13:20 - Biggest needs1:15:22 - Anthony Edwards’ offseason1:16:56 - Top-10 rotation1:18:19 - Go-to closing lineup1:19:13 - Weirdo lineups we want to see1:21:49 - Micah Nori’s exit1:23:11 - PREDICTIONSSUPPORT US ON PATREON

Dan is joined by Kirk Henderson (@KirkSeriousFace) from Pod Maverick and Mavs Moneyball to break down the 2026-27 Dallas Mavericks. SUBSCRIBE TO POD MAVERICK ON YOUTUBE. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO0:39 - The Masai Ujiri + Dusty May hires3:48 - Stylistic changes under Dusty May8:18 - Cooper Flagg’s continued development15:57 - Kyrie Irving’s return + ball-handling pecking order19:07 - Will Sergio de Larrea play?21:13 - Dereck Lively II’s outlook23:16 - Morez Johnson Jr. breakdown26:26 - Santi Aldama, PJ Washington and Naji Marshall29:02 - Zaccharie Risacher or Marcus Sasser?32:16 - Max Christie’s future34:10 - Will Dusty May emphasize offensive rebounding35:25 - Dallas’ half-court offense vs its spacing37:41 - Biggest needs38:06 - The Mavs in the new lottery era41:13 - Top-10 rotation42:49 - Go-to closing lineup43:36 - Weirdo lineups we want to see45:33 - PREDICTIONSSUPPORT US ON PATREON

Dan is joined by Keith Parish (@fastbreakbreak) of the Fastbreak Breakfast and Grits and Grinds podcasts to break down the 2026-27 Memphis Grizzlies. SUBSCRIBE TO FASTBREAK BREAKFAST HERE AND TO GRITS AND GRINDS HERE. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO1:01 - Memphis’ direction6:17 - Impressions of Tuomas Iisalo7:37 - Cam Boozer breakdown10:48 - Zach Edey’s workload + center rotation13:55 - Cedric Coward’s continued development18:22 - Ty Jerome’s impact19:57 - Who will Memphis start?22:22 - The most important “Other Guys”29:58 - BUY OR SELL?!37:12 - Biggest needs38:13 - Could the Grizzlies consolidate quicker than we think?39:45 - Are Cam Spencer and Cedric Coward underrated?40:54 - Top-10 rotation41:43 - Go-to closing unit42:45 - Weirdo lineups we want to see45:12 - PREDICTIONSSUPPORT US ON PATREON

Dan and Grant are grading the 2026 NBA offseason for EVERY team! NEXT UP: The Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO1:27 - Grading criteria4:23 - Denver Nuggets24:27 - Minnesota Timberwolves39:39 - Portland Trail Blazers FAKEOUT39:49 - Oklahoma City Thunder50:12 - Portland Trail Blazers (for real)58:36 - Utah JazzSUPPORT US ON PATREON

Dan and Grant are grading the 2026 NBA offseason for EVERY team! NEXT UP: The Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings! TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO1:39 - Grading Criteria4:09 - Golden State Warriors16:07 - Los Angeles Clippers29:19 - Los Angeles Lakers46:59 - Phoenix Suns1:00:23 - Sacramento KingsSUPPORT US ON PATREON

Dan is joined by Shamit Dua (@FearTheBrown) of In The NO to break down the 2026-27 New Orleans Pelicans. Follow all of In The NO’s written and podcast work HERE. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO0:56 - Pelicans’ direction2:52 - Jamahl Mosley hire4:40 - Can the Pelicans improve defensively?6:35 - The Zion Williamson-Derik Queen dynamic8:59 - Derik Queen’s continued development13:58 - Jeremiah Fears’ continued development17:20 - Bennedict Mathurin’s fit21:39 - Dejounte Murray’s performance23:03 - The no-center lineup24:30 - Importance of Trey Murphy III29:11 - Herb Jones’ impact32:41 - The center rotation34:37 - Biggest needs35:16 - Can the Pelicans be better than expected? + Saddiq Bey37:01 - Top-10 rotation37:59 - Go-to closing unit38:16 - Weirdo lineups we want to see39:15 - Is the front office under pressure?43:07 - PREDICTIONSSUPPORT US ON PATREON

Dan is joined by Lauren L. Williams (@WilliamsLaurenL) of the AJC to break down the 2026-27 Atlanta Hawks. Follow all of Lauren’s work at the AJC RIGHT HERE. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO2:08 - The offseason approach6:02 - Why did the Hawks trade Zaccharie Risacher?8:28 - Lu Dort’s fit12:10 - Kingston Flemings breakdown18:17 - What is Jalen Johnson’s ceiling?23:16 - Onyeka Okongwu’s rise + Atlanta’s future at center26:26 - Asa Newell’s development + secondary big rotation31:21 - What’s the future hold 34:19 - Ranking CJ McCollum, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Dyson Daniels39:57 - Biggest needs42:13 - The battle at backup power forward44:28 - Top-10 rotation45:19 - Go-to crunch-time unit46:48 - Weirdo lineups we want to see48:45 - Importance of Aaron Wiggins49:34 - PREDICTIONSSUPPORT US ON PATREON

Dan is joined by Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) and Forrest Walker (@dunots) from the Red Nation Hoops hoops podcast to break down the 2026-27 Houston Rockets. Subscribe to Red Nation Hoops HERE. Follow Forrest on Twitch HERE. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO2:57 - Rockets’ offseason approach12:58 - Amen Thompson’s extension and development17:43 - The Amen Thompson-Alperen Sengun fit26:25 - Marcus Smart’s fit31:49 - Reed Sheppard’s development36:20 - Jabari Smith at the 5?!?44:49 - The Kevin Durant experience50:21 - Will the Rockets play more in transition?51:40 - Biggest needs52:39 - Is Houston’s defense underrated?57:11 - Top-10 rotation58:21 - Go-to closing lineup59:26 - Weirdo lineups we want to see1:00:34 - PREDICTIONSSUPPORT US ON PATREON

Dan is joined by Bobby Manning (@RealBobManning) of CLNS Media to break down the 2026-27 Boston Celtics. FOLLOW Bobby’s podcasting work HERE: youtube.com/watch?is=Y-54g-lmgthzPBRC&v=A55kn-nKCok&feature=youtu.be. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO1:22 - The Jaylen Brown trade7:04 - Were the Celtics with Brown far away from contention?10:58 - Where Brown’s impact will be felt most20:44 - Paul George’s fit25:41 - Mitchell Robinson’s fit and the center rotation31:46 - Chris Cenac Jr. breakdown33:36  - Jayson Tatum’s performance post-Achilles injury43:04 - Can Payton Pritchard be Boston’s No. 2?49:11 - Derrick White’s efficiency concerns53:55 - The Celtics role player draft!59:47 - Top-10 rotation1:00:37 - Go-to crunch time lineup1:02:31 - Weirdo lineups we want to see1:03:53 - Boston’s belief in development1:08:30 - Biggest needs1:14:21 - Joe Mazzulla pressure meter1:17:46 - PREDICTIONSSUPPORT US ON PATREON

Dan and Grant are grading the 2026 NBA offseason for EVERY team! NEXT UP: The Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO3:15 - Our grading process5:02 - Atlanta Hawks19:08 - Charlotte Hornets35:27 - Miami Heat52:13 - Orlando Magic56:59 - Washington WizardsSUPPORT US ON PATREON

Dan is joined by Justin Rowan (@cavsanada) of The Chase Down Podcast to break down the 2026-27 Cleveland Cavaliers. FOLLOW THE CHASE DOWN POD ON YOUTUBE. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO1:22 - Lessons learned from last season4:56 - The Peyton Watson trade and fit25:07 - Donovan Mitchell’s contract and future32:13 - James Harden’s fit37:36 - Evan Mobley’s improvement42:14 - Jaylen Tyson’s next frontier44:05 - Importance of Sam Merrill45:19 - Early impressions of Meleek Thomas50:24 - The secondary guard rotation51:45 - Do the Cavs have something in Nae’Qwan Tomlin?53:04 - Mario Hezonja role54:38 - Cleveland’s depth57:35 - What is this team’s identity59:42 - Biggest needs1:00:03 - What is this team’s identity?1:00:36 - Top-10 rotation1:01:09 - Go-to crunch-time lineup1:01:38 - Weirdo lineups we want to see1:02:28 - SHOUT-OUT JARRETT ALLEN1:03:18 - PREDICTIONSSUPPORT US ON PATREON

Dan and Grant are grading the 2026 NBA offseason for EVERY team! NEXT UP: The Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO2:10 - Our grading criteria4:57 - Boston Celtics31:11 - Brooklyn Nets40:58 - New York Knicks48:31 - Philadelphia 76ers56:30 - Toronto RaptorsSUPPORT US ON PATREON