Ranking Every NBA Trade Target

·1 hr 55 min·5 clips

The hosts reveal this is the final week of Through the Wire as we know it, but won't say why.

The episode begins with birthday shoutouts to listeners and a significant announcement: this is the second-to-last episode of Through the Wire as listeners currently know it, hinting at upcoming changes. The main basketball discussion starts with the question of which NBA team is most desperate to make a trade. The Golden State Warriors are initially considered due to Stephen Curry's age and their standing, but the Atlanta Hawks are ultimately highlighted because their three best players—Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, and Clint Capela—are seen as a poor fit together. The hosts then transition to evaluating specific players on the trade market. Jerami Grant's career trajectory from a Philadelphia 76ers role player to a primary option in Detroit is detailed, alongside the complications of his new max contract with the Portland Trail Blazers. Other players discussed include Jordan Clarkson, Bogdan Bogdanović, Zach LaVine, and Lauri Markkanen, with analysis of their contracts, current value, and potential landing spots like the Sacramento Kings or Oklahoma City Thunder. A segment is dedicated to the Chicago Bulls, debating whether trading LaVine would disrupt their recent positive momentum. The second half of the episode features the hosts constructing their official NBA All-Star ballot. They select starters for the Eastern Conference (Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum) and Western Conference (Luka Dončić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić, LeBron James, Kevin Durant), then debate reserves, with notable inclusions like Jalen Brunson and Anthony Edwards. The tone is conversational and debate-driven throughout, blending structured analysis with personal anecdotes, such as stories about past live events and inside jokes about the hosts' 2K gaming sessions.

As heard by us

A fast, funny NBA trade debate about fit, value, and lineups that get big quickly.

Through the Wire treats NBA trade talk as a live debate about fit, value, and who is willing to pick up the phone. The panel moves through Miami's interest in multiple players, Tyler Hero's chance at a larger role somewhere else, Larry Markman's fit next to LeBron and Anthony…

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You get NBA trade speculation, a giant Lakers lineup hypothetical, and the kind of roster debate that refuses to stay tidy.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Through the Wire