Hollinger & Duncan NBA Show - NBA Basketball Podcast · John Hollinger and Nate Duncan

Summer 2025 Mailbag

·1 hr 7 min·5 clips

John Hollinger explains why the Knicks' Mikal Bridges extension is a terrible contract that could hamstring the team.

This episode features hosts John Hollinger and Nate Duncan answering listener questions during the NBA offseason. They analyze a major contract extension and debate historical player comparisons. The hosts first dissect Mikal Bridges' new four-year, $112 million extension with the New York Knicks. Hollinger argues the contract is an overpay, suggesting Bridges' value is closer to $25 million annually. Duncan notes Bridges defended the most drives in the league last season but his screen navigation and defensive playmaking declined. They discuss the sunk cost of the five first-round picks traded for Bridges and the potential influence of owner James Dolan. A listener asks which NBA players correspond to tennis legends Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, and Murray. Duncan proposes a trio of LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant, with James Harden as the Andy Murray figure. Hollinger offers an alternative set: Nikola Jokić as Djokovic, Victor Wembanyama as Federer, and Giannis Antetokounmpo as Nadal. The hosts then predict first-time All-Stars for the upcoming season, listing candidates like Jamal Murray, Franz Wagner, Derrick White, Jalen Johnson, and Chet Holmgren. They explore the slowed momentum for NBA expansion, questioning if Las Vegas is a lock alongside Seattle and considering Montreal or Mexico City. Hollinger shares his view that the league's European project aims to create a premium competition to attract Middle Eastern investment. Finally, they evaluate former Summer League standouts, mentioning David Jones Jr., Keon Brooks Jr., P.J. Hall, and A.J. Lawson as players who could carve out NBA roles. A surprising insight is that Jamal Murray, a key champion, has never been an All-Star. The hosts reveal the Charlotte Hornets had a disastrous 1-15 record within their own division last season. Hollinger speculates the Knicks' financial structure will make it nearly impossible to build depth around their core five players. Duncan suggests the threat of Seattle relocation remains a useful bargaining chip for other teams during arena negotiations. They note that Mikal Bridges, despite his contract, has an ironman streak of never missing games. The tone is conversational and analytical, featuring friendly debate between two informed insiders. The style is relaxed and meandering, beginning with personal anecdotes about weather and office life before diving into basketball topics. This episode is ideal for dedicated NBA fans who enjoy detailed contract analysis and speculative historical debates. Listeners seeking breaking news or structured interviews might find the casual, mailbag format less engaging.

As heard by us

An NBA expansion discussion that weighs Seattle, Las Vegas, Mexico City, and Montreal through the league's real incentives.

This episode spends its energy on a simple but useful question: where could the NBA grow next, and what would actually make sense for the league.

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Why you'd press play

You want a smart NBA expansion argument.

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