The Annual Worst NBA Contracts Draft With Joe House and Wosny Lambre

[00:00] This episode is brought to you by Boar's Head. What if we told you the taste of deep fried turkey is now available at your local deli? Well, Boar's Head just did that. Bursting with flavor, perfectly seasoned with that indulgent taste that usually means planning your whole day around it. [00:13] Presenting the Friars Turkey Breast only from Boar's Head. [00:17] Backyard tradition now available behind the counter. [00:20] Visit your local deli today. Discover the craftsmanship behind every bite. Boar's Head, committed to craft since 1905. [00:29] . [00:34] The Bill Simmons Podcast brought to you by Sam's Club. We're also brought to you by the Ringer Podcast Network, where it is still CR month. Waz, where did CR month rank for you on the happiest moments for you this decade? Is it up there? I mean, it's always CR month for me personally. So it's just another month. [00:56] I'm listening to all 80 CR pods anyway. So there's no difference for me. That's fair. [01:04] the consensus that every month is CR month. We just basically put a name on it. [01:09] He's beloved. The thing that I will say is, you know, in my life, I've had a lot of people over the years say, how... [01:16] can it be that this tremendous show, Rewatchables, where there's a home base right there in Los Angeles, has not done... [01:24] LA Confidential. I know. It's going to be next week. We're recording it next week. I understand this. So Sierra Month, we put up to live and die in LA today.

[01:32] We have the nice guys coming next week. [01:35] And then LA Confidential finishing the month. So you can check that out. You can also check out House on the Ringer Gambling Show on Fairway Rowan. [01:43] Waz left us, but he stayed with us. He stayed with us in spirit. So go do, plug your new thing before we get going. [01:50] I'm doing a show called No Fouls Given with Paul Pierce and Danny Green. It's basically like a player-driven show, but I try to get these guys to actually say stuff, unlike a lot of different player pods. And I have a lot of fun with these guys, and they've been fun and candid and just having a good time with it. So, yeah, check that out, YouTube, wherever you get your podcasts. All right. Well, we're going to pull you into a couple of ringer pods during the playoffs. This is the big one. This is... [02:18] The worst contracts of 2026. The annual pod. I feel like we've been doing it all decade. I cannot wait. We're going to take a break. Bring them bro, Jim. And then worst contracts. [02:27] This episode of the Bill Simmons podcast is presented by Sam's Club. It is that time of the year when you just got to get in your car and go somewhere. I've done that plenty of times in my life. Nowhere gets you ready to go quite like Sam's Club. [02:39] Sex, the gear. [02:41] Super low prices on gas. They got a bunch of stuff that keep you and the whole crew rolling. [02:45] And here's what you got to do. You got to join the club of yes and. [02:49] at samsclub.com slash yes and yes. [02:53] You must be 18 years or older to purchase membership, and membership is subject to qualifications. Visit samsclub.com. [03:00] slash yes end. [03:02] for details.

[03:29] All right, fellas. I don't remember when we started doing this. [03:33] I just remember that I want to keep doing it for the rest of my life. When Was told us he was leaving the ringer, I was just immediately like, but we're still going to get to do Worst Contracts, right? That actually happened on the phone. Yeah, we had an emotional phone call. But before we do Worst Contracts, [03:48] I went to Clippers Spurs last night. [03:51] Mm-hmm. [03:53] And I had really good seats. My friend Mark Cimino took me. I sat courtside. I was on the wood. [03:59] Wemby is the best player I've seen all season. [04:01] Wow. And I've seen all the players. [04:04] I know. I intentionally didn't text this to you, House. [04:08] SGA is going to win the MVP. SGA looks like he's veering into this Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant area. [04:17] I think it's already happened. He has a chance to, he's going to win MVP. He has a chance to be finals MVP two years in a row. [04:23] I cannot believe how good Wemby is. [04:25] how hard he plays. [04:27] and how much he affects... [04:29] both ends of the floor, but especially the defense. We were just counting all the shots. He changes altars or makes the guy change his mind. And it was almost 30. And he just [04:40] He never lets up. He's just going hard the entire time. And the impact that he has on a game... [04:47] I just thought it was the most impactful thing I've seen. I've seen a great Jokic game this year. I saw a great SGA game this year. Like, [04:53] I just think he's the most impactful. I don't think that means he's going to win MVP, but Waz, it did change –

[04:59] how I'm feeling about the playoffs and whether San Antonio can really stick it to OKC and everybody else. What do you think? [05:07] Yeah, you start the year. I'm pretty skeptical of a young team like that and their ability to dominate playoff series. But as the year progresses and they take down team after team and big matchups where, you know, we watch enough NBA games where we could tell when both teams are actually going as hard as they can. And it's been a bunch of these games, the Detroit games, the [05:36] Every single game I'm watching, I'm like, man, these guys are trying their hardest. Denver, Wemby didn't even play. These guys had to become superheroes in the fourth quarter to even pull that game out. And, yeah, you mentioned defense, which obviously I think we all thought he would become this kind of defensive play. But to me, his offense is just way ahead of schedule. Yeah. Where, you know. [06:01] It's not that he's not taking jump shots anymore. He's just taking way better kinds of jump shots where they put a, you know, they put a little 6'9 guy on him and he catches the ball at 18 feet, doesn't even put the ball on the floor, gives a fake jab step. It's just like, I'm going to shoot over you. And it's almost like I'm placing the ball right in the basket. Yeah. And that's not to mention what he's able to do at the cup. And so to me, offensively is where it just goes to another level because I didn't think he would be this potent this quickly.

[06:30] Clippers tried Chris Stone on him. [06:33] That lasted about four minutes. [06:35] They basically put everyone on their team on him. House, he had one play in the second half, and it was in front of us. [06:41] He was on the right block and he did this swirling spin move and did this like [06:46] Dr. J lefty flip George Girvin, like just three foot flip shot. And the whole crowd was like, oh, fuck. [06:55] Like he has five oh fuck moments just for the crowd in person where you're just like, I've never seen that. And I think the thing that really stuck out to me yesterday, just watching the team. [07:08] Castle's a badass. Castle to me [07:11] is moved into the third team all NBA conversation. I don't know if I'm going to vote for him, but he's at least on my little bubble list. But everybody in that Fox, all these dudes play really hard. But Wimby is the one, I'm shocked how hard he plays. Almost to the point where you fear for his safety. Like, yo, maybe don't play this hard, but I just think that's what he does. Yeah, he's got that young guy intensity. He doesn't know any better. He's out there to break everybody down and collect names and put them all in the graveyard. [07:41] putting up tombstones right now. That's where the stage of his career. But the thing I went through the mental checklist as you were saying, he's the best player you saw this year. I was like, wait a minute. SGA, the Joker. I know. I don't feel great about saying it. I'm just telling you how I felt watching it. I was like, I can't believe what's happening. I think it's a fair point. I think it's a fair point. I will still reserve judgment until we get to the playoffs,

[08:11] It looks completely outrageous. We might get the Spurs and the Lakers in the first round. We might get the Spurs and Minnesota in the first round. And we know this. The OGs know this. The playoffs are a radically different animal. And I think that healthy skepticism that we OGs feel around, okay, young team, you did your thing in the regular season. [08:41] when you say castle, that castle, Fox, they just get into you. They get into you. I love that. The kid that came in, and I've been watching this the last couple weeks, but Carter Bryan came in. [08:53] He's a fucking huge dude. Like if you didn't know anything, you would think he was like a center. [08:59] I think he's 6'9". And there was one time in the first half he said, or maybe the second half, he said, [09:05] He was just at midcourt and set a pick on somebody. I think it was Garland. [09:08] who didn't see him, and he ran into him. I was like watching somebody run into a tree. Like, he's... [09:13] huge already. [09:14] And they played a tiny bit, Cornette didn't play last night, so they played a little small ball five with him. [09:20] And I was like, this is not nothing right now. But the Wemby thing, the point Waz made about – [09:27] the offense being ahead of schedule. [09:30] Um, [09:31] There's a lot of jump shots with that team. [09:34] I was trying to, as I was watching last night, I was trying to think, like, how does this go sideways? They were up 16, 18, 20. [09:40] And they do have these little stretches where

[09:43] Somebody go on an 8-0 run, 9-0 run, and... [09:46] I don't always love the shots San Antonio gets. And ultimately it's probably going to come down to Fox, whether Fox can figure out a Fox Wemby thing. But, um, [09:56] And it's weird to say he's the best player I've seen because I don't think he's the best player in the league. [10:02] But I also think maybe we underrate [10:04] the defensive impact was of just when somebody's that special. It's almost like we don't know how to calibrate in our heads because it's like there's two sides of basketball. There's offense and defense. And when somebody is that far ahead of everyone else in the league on defense, [10:18] I wonder how we calibrate that. Yeah, I think that's the ultimate question. I think me, I personally, my favorite performance individually so far the year, outside of Bam out of Bio breaking Kobe's record, which made me super happy, is SGA. That game against Boston in the fourth quarter, what he was doing was. [10:42] It was like you said, Mike and Kobe. It felt like that watching it in real time. And I was actually watching it with Paul. And he was just like, man, they got to get the ball out of his hands. Because if he gets a shot off. Start trying for him. [10:57] It's going in. And he's dictating the pace and he's getting to whatever spot he wants. And he's so calm. He's so poised. And it's the second they send that extra bit of help or that extra bit of, you know, shading the defense. He's whipping it out there to his open guys. I just think his command on offense right now, especially we see it every year in the playoffs. Eventually, you just got to put the ball in your best player's hands and trust that amazing things are going to happen.

[11:27] with SGA right now, to me, that's the guy that's like, that's the guy right now. Yeah, no question. Because even with Jokic, he has to kind of get set up. You don't want Jokic starting his attack from the three-point line. SGA, he can start his attack from wherever. It's lethal. [11:44] Yeah. Well, [11:45] The command he has on offense probably rivals the command Wemby has on defense. In the playoffs, I would trust the offense. I think there's too many ways the defense can go sideways. He had foul trouble. He could land on somebody's leg, all that stuff. But it's interesting that Wemby's moved in that conversation. We're doing Ringer 100 voting this week. [12:04] SGA is probably going to get the first spot, which I think is the first time Jokic has lost it. It's not like Jokic isn't having an awesome year, but I think the end of the game stuff with Denver – [12:13] has to affect how you think about Jokic at least like 1%, right, House? [12:18] For sure. And if you look at the last 10 games where it starts to feel like Oklahoma City understands the moment and understands we're now getting to the point in the season where let's get some of these playoff chops going. They have two wins against Denver, speaking of, both of which were close games. They have a win against Boston. They have a win against Minnesota. They have a win on the road against the Knicks. Like, yeah. [12:43] They're understanding the moment, and that's why we're seeing this version of SGA. I mean, I don't have any issue whatsoever with them taking that middle chunk of the season and like, yeah, we've got some injuries. Yeah, we're going to get some rest. Yeah, we're going to take some L's along the way here. It's okay. We'll be fine. Now look at the stretch that we're in right here now where it looks like they're kind of coming into form to me. Well, one thing with Wemby, guys.

[13:10] Because I was really watching them carefully last night. House and I are old, so I've seen basically every good center since the mid-70s. [13:17] And Kareem was somebody who was really durable. [13:20] Part of it was how he played. He didn't play as hard as Wemby night to night. He did in the playoffs. [13:25] But had that [13:28] Really, I think Kareem was 7'4". Long, skinny. [13:31] But, [13:32] athletic. Like when you saw him run, you weren't like, Oh man, what's that going to look like in 10 years? Like he, [13:37] When B... [13:39] I'm not saying he's gliding, but it looks... [13:43] better when you watch it where you're like, all right, I can see that guy lasting while the way he moves around. But the big thing with him, because he falls a lot, like it's, you know, he gets knocked down. [13:53] He might land on somebody's foot. [13:55] He knows how to fall, which is a weird thing to say about some of the best athletes in the world. But some guys don't necessarily 100% know how to fall. [14:05] And he has these falls, and it's almost like he must practice them on a – [14:09] on like a trampoline or, you know, on a big canvas thing or something. So there was like four times where I go, no, [14:15] And then he just gets up and the fall is never as bad as it seems like it's going to be. So I don't know. I'm more intrigued by these playoffs than anything we've had in a long time. [14:25] Just because what House said earlier about these weird matchups, even now the Lakers at least being, you could talk yourself into them in a series. Maybe Luka just getting hot for four out of seven games. Who knows? Then the East. [14:39] Watching the Celtics last night where there was some real, I don't know. Did you guys see that game last night? I watched it. I watched it. Some really interesting Jalen Tatum stuff in that game where Jalen's like, I got this. And just took over the last five minutes. And Tatum was on the side. And it was like, I didn't know for sure that was going to happen this year. But it happened.

[14:57] Um, so there's just a lot going on. What's your favorite subplot as we head into April was? [15:02] Well, I... [15:04] I think the East playoffs are going to be fascinating. Like I'm on the record. I'm not this big. Detroit is heading shoulders above anybody. That's done. I, [15:15] I still think the Knicks... [15:17] because of their sort of cohesion and continuity. I know they don't do it night to night, but they've showed me enough spurts to like, all right, man, you guys are capable of playing competent defense. And I think they're going to do it in the playoffs. And then the OKC game they had, I thought was a good loss for them. They at least showed that they could swim in those waters. You know what I mean? Yes, exactly. And in Boston, man, I'm just blown away by what they're doing this year. And I've said it a bunch of times. [15:47] have a bunch of sycophants in the media so nobody's calling him a genius and nobody's up his ass like they do certain other gms brad stevens is gming his ass off yeah this year to put these randos together and a bunch of white guys nobody ever heard of and these guys are getting serious minutes and when you watch it the level of execution and focus and attention to detail [16:17] it but these are scrap heat dudes yeah that are just playing their tails off of boston i'm just intrigued by the whole eastern conference thing at the top i'm i'm kind of off cleveland i like the hardened thing was dope when it started and i was like yeah we won't come to our senses yeah i got sucked in again like an idiot and i'm now like why did i even entertain that i'm really intrigued by the east playoffs and i think you know okay and then miami and orlando is like just

[16:46] Who knows? And Mijla and Charlotte's the 10th seed. They'd have to win right now two playing games just to get into the playoffs. [16:53] Love, Charlotte. [16:55] Yeah, it's... [16:58] Detroit's probably the one out of the top four I feel the worst about. [17:01] I think it's really hard for them to score. One thing that the Celtics have, House, that has happened all year and happened again in the Phoenix game last night, [17:10] They bring in the Dragons near the end of the first quarter. [17:14] And they just flip... [17:16] the flow of the game. They'll bring in... [17:19] two of like Hugo, Shireman, sometimes with Walsh. [17:23] And these guys come in, they just try their ass off. And they're a lot of times going against second strings or second... [17:29] string point guards or backup wings. [17:32] And the crowd will really get into it. I think that's going to be an intriguing wrinkle too. Like they can kind of survive a bad six minutes and then come back. And I don't know where this is going. All right. Celtics are the biggest and best wild card for sure. My underrated subplot. Oh yeah. Apologies in advance. [17:50] The Lakers? [17:52] I know. The Lakers? The Lakers? Did you see what JJ said last night? [17:59] He was like, [18:01] I think it's, [18:02] I think it's clear to everybody now, something like that, that LeBron is going to be our third... [18:07] our number three usage guy. [18:09] the rest of the way. He said something like that. He basically said it. He's 48 years old. I know. But he basically made a point of saying, this guy's going to have the ball.

[18:18] The third amount of time... [18:20] out of Reeves, Luka, and LeBron. And we're just, this is who we are now. I don't think they knew that a month ago, Oz. [18:26] Which is insane to me because you just watch the games, especially Austin Reeves, the way he started the season like a bat shot out of hell. And every single game that I watch him now, I just hear cash registers ringing. Honestly. And you can tell he's smelling it. He can feel the max contract coming his way. And I love that for him. It's just, I don't know, you watch LeBron with the ball. He's just not a threat. [18:56] draw help anymore. It doesn't matter who they switch on to him. Sometimes he'll beat up on a little guy, a smaller defender, and that's nice. That's what he needs to be doing. But defenses will switch anybody on to him. They don't play conventional pick and roll coverage on him anymore. He's not going to beat us one-on-one with a move when he's on the ball. So it's like, get off my ball. [19:18] Give it to the two guys who can create. He's starting to figure that out. He's figured out the win for me is to actually be the third best guy in this team. What else were you going to say about the Lakers? The defense. The defense. It's the defense. They held the Knicks to 97 points. They held Houston to 92 points. Now, those are slower, especially the Houston game. But I just keep losing money betting against the Lakers. And their defense is vastly improved. And their rebounding is vastly improved. [19:48] We've seen them where they beat the Knicks. They beat Minnesota. They beat Denver. They beat Houston. And all those games matter to all those teams because all those teams are jockeying for position, you know, getting ready for this playoff run. And those not one element of those wins was fluky. And it looks like, you know, all JJ said last night was what we were kind of watching with our own eyes, which is it's Luca and Reeves. And then LeBron's a great, you know, sort of third option.

[20:18] element of it, especially on defense. I'm interested in seeing. I haven't had a chance to sit down with net ratings over this six-game stretch that they're on or whatever. It's like 12 games and they're in the top four. [20:30] Yeah. So a couple of counters. [20:33] Things I'm holding my hat, hanging my hat on just because I hate the Lakers. [20:38] DeAndre Ayton's involved. Dominating is involved. Ayton's involved. Can't trust him. He's on the team. He's on the team. Marcus Smart physically has not really made it through a season in at least three years. Now, he looks like he's in the best shape he's been a while, but he's had a bunch of different injuries, and they're playing in big minutes. [20:56] And I think that's alarming. [20:57] And then LeBron's 40 years old, and he's played 41. Including the playoffs, he's played over 70,000 minutes, and you're playing in... [21:06] Big minutes and there's going to be situations where he's going to have to guard people. All right. [21:10] Okay. Enough foreplay. [21:12] we're gonna take a break [21:15] And then the worst contracts of 2026 is next. [21:19] The Bill Simmons podcast is brought to you by FanDuel. The tournament is here. [21:23] FanDuel, it is time to dance. Right now, FanDuel is dropping bonus bets into everyone's account for the tournament. [21:28] All you have to do is opt in to claim your bonus, got an upset, roll into one seed, call for chaos. Want to throw a little bit on Acuff and... [21:35] Arkansas maybe to advance to the final four. However, you're playing the tourney. [21:39] Fando will give me a little extra to get in on the action from the very first tip. And don't wait because... [21:44] Bonus bets only available. [21:47] for a limited time. [21:48] FanDuel, it's time to dance.

[21:51] 21 plus select states are 18 plus DC, Kentucky, or Wyoming. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fando.com. Game problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. Call [redacted phone] or visit ccpg.org slash chat in Connecticut. [22:04] This episode is brought to you by TaxAct. Like an expert coach, TaxAct offers step-by-step guidance, guaranteed accuracy, and your maximum refund. [22:13] when filing taxes. [22:14] Get tips along the way. Add expert assist to talk to tax experts. [22:18] or let their experts do your taxes for you, [22:21] with expert full service. [22:23] Tax Act. [22:24] Helps find the deductions and credits you deserve so you can get them over with. [22:28] Visit taxact.com. [22:30] to learn more. Conditions apply. [22:32] See taxact.com. [22:34] for details. [22:35] All right, fellas. The usual disclaimer, worst contracts. First of all, we're happy for all of these human beings that they're making a ton of money. Congratulations to their agents. And their families. This is not a reflection on them. [22:49] As people, [22:50] Although in maybe two or three cases, it might be. [22:54] And we are talking about them as assets only. This is a league that just signed a $76.4 billion contract. [23:02] media contract, whatever that was, $80 billion, I can't even remember. News finally broke this week about the expansion. [23:10] that they're going to be voting on expansion at the Board of Governors meeting, which is [23:16] Conspiracy Bill thought the timing of that announcement was pretty interesting because everybody knew that this was happening for months and they put it out and they almost put it out in a way to –

[23:24] in my opinion, try to shift [23:27] the sentiment with the 30 owners, they need 23 votes. There's a Dolan coalition that's [23:32] And I think it is in there too. And a couple others that, why are we doing this? I'd rather have my 130th media share. So I thought the timing of that announcement was great. [23:41] intriguing, maybe to try to bump up what the number could get to, 8 billion, 9 billion, whatever. [23:48] Maybe if it gets above eight, maybe even the people who were against this would be like, all right, fuck it. But I do think, I don't think this is a slam dunk. And I don't know what Seattle group [23:59] has 8 billion bucks ready to roll. There's a bunch of Vegas groups, um, [24:04] All attached to famous players that we know, like LeBron, Shaq, Curry, Magic Johnson. His hat was in the ring. Seattle, I'm not sure where they get the money, but this all seems positive. [24:14] Anyway, we're all happy for all these guys. There's going to be 30 new jobs coming in and there'll probably be more bad contracts wise. 100%. And one thing to all the things you said about the players and the contracts, we're happy for you guys and your families. Another thing that I would say is if we could see what the owners were making and revenues and franchise valuation increases. Lord, would I love to do that? Oh, my God. [24:44] you know kind of gives you an idea about how the system works but i did love because i'm a hoop site guy when it comes to the salary stuff i loved looking at all of these salaries and just being reminded about how much of this stuff just changes from year to year yeah and also just like

[25:03] Man, some of these contracts are just like still it's way less than it used to be, like we always say. But there's still a few out there that's like, man, this is this is tough. You know, it's funny. I was thinking the same thing about how there's less than I feel like we had more to work with. [25:18] In the 22 Ranch house. [25:20] I think the apron stuff has really hurt. [25:22] hurt this draft. I still think we're all going to be pleased with the results, but I don't think the ceiling is as high as it was in the 21 area. But yeah, screw the aprons. [25:35] I totally agree. This is, I came in, [25:38] I'm honestly sad. [25:40] Because there aren't as many bad contracts as we've grown accustomed to. I don't know if we can get to – we can definitely do 15. Each of us can have five guys. That's very easy. Yeah. Is it easy to get to 20? Like, then you have to start quibbling around the edges a little bit. I think that's the fun part of this. There's going to be some – if we each have to draft – [26:01] 10. There's going to be some fun names. Yeah, there's going to be some good ones as we get down the list. Some surprises. [26:09] Yeah. Um, [26:11] All right. [26:12] We'll give, Waz, you can have the first pick. Oh, this is a guess. I'll take the second pick, and I'll go third. So, Waz, because you haven't been on in a while, it's great to have you back in the ringer circles, so you get the easy first pick here. Come on down, Philadelphia 76ers. It's Joel Embiid. Oh! [26:33] Oh, I'm surprised. Are you? I thought it might be another Sixer there. Okay. No, that other Sixer only has two years left on his deal after this one, whereas Embiid does. After this season is over, Bill. Yeah. $60 million, $64 million, $70 million.

[26:51] How many games has Joel played this year? And even when he plays, he's constantly in a stage of ramping up. [26:57] And then he ramps up and then he has to sit again. [27:00] So the guy's not going to play. And half the time when he does play, he's ramping up to being an effective player. We know his knee is not getting better. [27:11] It's getting worse. [27:13] Then he's got... [27:16] 190 million or something like that Left on the deal This is the first of a Four year 243.5 Million dollar $1.5 million [27:28] Extension house. Yes. Yeah, look, I don't think his shooting coach did him any help when he played like 12 games in a row, and the shooting coach was like, See? [27:37] See? Hey, Ringer! [27:39] It's like, all right, settle down. Let's see if he can play for two straight months. House, did you have him first or second? [27:45] Oh, he was an easy first. And part of the reason for that is because there is a player that was on the Philadelphia 76ers until the trade deadline. And then they got rid of that player who's still on a rookie effing contract because they decided that, you know, asset wise, they don't want to pay the luxury tax because they have so much of their cap committed to two guys. And Jared mother effing McCain is expendable. Hello. [28:15] team has a pathway, right? They caught the greatest good fortune ever by the tank job they did last season when Joel couldn't play and got the third overall pick in a very good draft. And then they have role players around it. No more McCain expendable. We can't figure out how to get him time. We can't figure out and we don't want to pay the look. You don't want to pay the luxury tax because why? Because why? Help me understand what's going on there, Philadelphia. They gambled and they lost.

[28:45] And I respect it. I do respect Darrell. They got a rocket first. They got some seconds. [28:51] Congrats. [28:52] Joel Embiid last three years. [28:55] 33 games, 19 games, 33 games. [28:58] Wow. 12 seasons. He's played 485. He's missed. It will be 486 tonight because I think they play. [29:05] I went back and I looked at all the centers that House and I have grown up with over the years and watched. [29:10] the injury prone list, right? [29:13] So Joel's at 485. Bill Walton, 468 in 13 seasons. That's how many he played. [29:18] Yao Ming, 486 to nine seasons. [29:22] Ralph Sampson, 456-9 seasons. [29:26] Sam Bowie, 5, 11, and 11 seasons. [29:30] Andrew Bynum, [29:31] How many games do you think Andrew Bynum played career? [29:34] He's got to be in the 300s. What do you think, Cass? [29:37] Totally agree. 418 in nine seasons. Yeah, so just north. Brad Doherty, 548 in 10 seasons. [29:44] So these are, that's one thing. I just gave you six other guys who are in this high 400s, low 500s range. [29:51] who had a bunch of injuries, who missed a bunch of time, [29:54] I need to not get better. [29:55] Bogut was at 7.06 for 14 seasons. So that's [30:00] probably the peak, and then [30:01] I looked at, I remember Elgoskis and Rick Smiths being more injury prone than they actually were looking at their basketball. Those guys actually played a lot of games. I was surprised. [30:10] It's not, this is not looking good. Big picture. Like, I don't, it's, well, is he, is Zimbabwe?

[30:17] In the league three years from now? So here's the thing. That piece that came out over the summer from ESPN. And I forget the writer's name. I always forget this dude's name. He did an incredible job. [30:29] Where he got a candid Joel Embiid feature. Yeah. Yeah. [30:34] It gave you a beauty, like one of the best [30:36] pieces I've read in five years, 100%. And he gave you a beautiful insight into Joel's thinking, like the sort of stages of his career and all of that stuff. And reading that piece, I came away with that from one thing. This guy's resigned to his fate. It's over. He knows his body's never going to cooperate. He signed this big deal. He's going to play out the string. He's going to ride off into the sunset with his 600 million in earnings or something like that. [31:06] And God bless him. He worked his ass off for it. But again, even like, you know, back in like January, December, when Joao was having some [31:18] awesome offensive nights and it looked like the defense was coming back and I'm like man this is so cool to watch just knowing in the back of my head this is just not sustainable and yeah [31:28] The sad truth is it's not going to change. None of this is going to change. [31:33] In the worst contracts draft, off to a somber start. [31:37] I remember there was a, I felt like there was a moment when World Wide West and Leon Rose took over the Knicks. [31:45] And Joel was still playing well, but you could kind of see the finish line a little closer than maybe whatever that I feel like they could have traded him for everything they gave up for bridges and probably more stuff.

[31:57] Right. [31:57] And just been like, you know what? We took this as far as it can go. [32:01] Let's... [32:02] Let's just cash in now. [32:05] We have Darryl. Let's try to figure it out. But they went the other way. They did the Paul George extension. [32:10] to make, I guess it'd be happier. And I'm guessing that's your number two pick, Joe House. [32:17] It sure is. Let's just get Philly off our chest and be done with them. Let's clear them off of our cap space. That's exactly right. I mean, the Paul George signing in and of itself at the time they did it. And Daryl's just it's how he operates. It's his M.O. Can I get three of the top 20 players in the league? You know, you can say whatever you want to say about Paul George is a top 20. But the time they signed him, the year he was coming off a really good year. [32:47] incredible defense that year. And then he got that contract. He got the extra year that he wanted. He has a player option two years from now for almost $57 million. I bet he exercises that. I factored that into the contract. I bet he exercises that. Still $110 million left after this season. He promptly arrived in Philadelphia and played 41 games, and he's at 27 right now, working off this drug suspension. I will say, I will say, [33:15] They are interesting as mother effers. If indeed Maxie's ankle can, you know, be ready in time for playoffs and then be, they are interesting. I was with somebody last night who made this prediction to me.

[33:29] He was a Knicks fan, worried about Knicks Sixers round one. I was like, please don't worry about that. This is not a worry. It's not a worry. It's not a worry. Two years ago, [33:44] They had all their players, and the Knicks beat them. I know. I did text House and Sal and Hedge. [33:51] What, six weeks ago? I was like, the Sixers had just played an awesome game. [33:55] Embiid was great in it. And I was like, [33:57] Do the Sixers have the highest ceiling of any team in the East? And like the moment they played the Knicks two days later and beat fell down 20 times, got hurt a couple of games later and the moment was over. [34:06] But this is over the course of a series where you have to potentially play seven games in two weeks. [34:13] I don't see it. So, Paul... [34:16] George is not unavailable. He's perpetually unavailable. When he's not injured, he's getting suspended for we don't know what. I think I know what the guy's... [34:25] Suspended for but we can pretend we don't know what the drug is that he got suspended 25 games for. Okay, cool. Well, we know what it was. When he is playing, right? I saw an interview he gave. I think it was a post game where he's like, my job is to set good screens. [34:45] keep the ball moving, space the floor, play defense. And I'm like, yo, he's right. And he's when he's doing all of that. But man, we pay guys $55 million to do that. No, we don't. He's a role player. If he was getting 25, 30 million bucks, you would not bet. It's his age 35 year. And he's got another 110 million dollars left. That's why it's ridiculous. I blacked out. Are we talking about LeBron or Paul George?

[35:15] Here we go. Here we go. Why would you do that to LeBron? Here we go. Just jokes. LeBron plays. LeBron plays. I'm mad about the Lakers' resurgence. I know. LeBron plays. LeBron plays. So, Paul George has played in the 2020s, if we include the 2019-20 season. [35:33] He's played 331 games. [35:35] So [35:36] He had a 25-game suspension that cost him $11.7 million. [35:41] But also, Save Philly, [35:44] enough money that they got close to the tax that convinced them, fuck it, let's trade Jared McCain. [35:50] So in a weird way, the suspension, which seemed like it was a gift for Philly... [35:54] led to this trade that enrages all the Sixer fans. Wait, so suspensions... [36:00] Doesn't come in a tax. You're not paying the guy. Yeah. [36:03] So it saved them all this tax money and gave them the idea, oh, we could reset our taxes here. I shouldn't talk too much shit because my team traded Anthony Simons for Vucevic, and [36:16] Probably could have used Simon's. But yeah, if you look at the Maury stuff... [36:21] It's really like either really good or really awful. And there's no in between. Like the maxi pick was really good. [36:27] Even the McCain pick was good. [36:29] the late tank to get VJ at three. VJ was... [36:34] was a good pick. I mean, maybe you say... [36:37] Concanippo at 3, I don't know. [36:39] The Harden-Simmons deal, I think, was pretty good. The Grimes trade was good, but then... [36:43] Not trading Simmons for Halliburton.

[36:46] The Paul George signing, the Embiid extension, the [36:48] The second hard in trade for the Clippers. [36:51] and the McCain trade [36:53] Just a lot of a lot of home runs and strikeouts, basically. Here's my thing about Daryl. And I've you know, I've had a bunch of criticisms of him over the years, mainly about just like the the propagandish ways that he approaches media, which is smart. And I get it. I understand why he has to do it. It just I kind of roll my eyes at it. Sometimes the only thing I'll say, man, he goes for it. Yeah, he does. He's not one of these GMs that's like in six years, we're going to be incredible. [37:23] Every single year, this guy is trying to find an edge and trying to make his team better. That freaking year. Yeah. Every year he's doing that. And I respect the hell out of Darryl for that, honestly. All right. I'm up with the third pick. [37:38] Sadly, the two sixes are off the board. This is an interesting, interesting couple ways to go. [37:45] You know, [37:46] There's a pick that seems like an easy pick, and yet, [37:49] The heart wants what the heart wants. [37:51] At number three, I'm taking Jaron Jackson Jr., [37:54] - Wow, five years, 240 million. [37:58] I just don't [38:01] I still get it. [38:03] That's a garden variety extension. I just don't get it. The garden variety max. Career. You're so outraged by that. I don't understand this. Career. 18 points a game. [38:13] 5.6 rebounds. [38:16] This is career averages. 1.9 blocks. I looked up. I went on stat head, and I tried to figure out all these different ways to figure out, has there ever been a better player who didn't rebound?

[38:28] and who blocked shots and scored but just didn't really care about getting rebounds ever. [38:33] It's only eight guys ever average 17 points a game. [38:37] under eight rebounds a game and over one block a game. [38:41] And all of them are forwards except for Joe Barry Carroll and Chris Saps Porzingis. [38:47] He's an unusual player in a way that I don't know makes him a winning player. [38:52] And we just saw it on Memphis the last two years. As the league got better, [38:57] I'm fine with him if he's 25 million a year, 28 million a year. [39:01] I don't want to pay him this much money. [39:04] I just think he's too expensive. And the amount of years on the deal is what scares me. I just... [39:10] Because there's other guys that we'll go over and... [39:12] Either the contracts are shorter or the money's not as long. [39:17] This one, it really jumped out to me. I thought it was too much. I didn't even really like that they traded the first-round picks for him. [39:24] Wow. [39:25] I'm not there with you In the sense that I need to have Jaron Jackson on here Cause I think I went that rogue? [39:36] Yeah, yeah, for me, I don't have him either. I think he's Clinton. You don't have him? [39:40] No, $240 million. He's one defensive player of the year. You went through a whole list of things about the attributes of his game. It didn't mention the word defense one effing time. Where was the defense the last two years? So I'm a rant submarine in that team. You can't try and say, well, give me the sample size with this Memphis team. I have to pay all this money to him, but then I have to put other players next to him to hide all the things he can't do. Why do I have to do that?

[40:10] that this guy is nobody's idea of a number one player. [40:14] In any way, shape, or form. Like, I'll give you an example. Like, Dwight Howard in his prime. He's number one. He shows up. You have a top three defense. And, you know, most centers can't guard him. Right? And so, Jared Jackson is like a... [40:29] A really good two. I wouldn't say he's a premium two. I would say he's a really good number two. I just completely disagree. That's what that number I think is fair. So here's my thinking. [40:39] With this new apron now, you can afford two expensive guys. [40:42] Right. Sure. You're seeing this with the Lakers now where they're going to have to pay Reeves. They're going to have to get rid of LeBron or get him on a short contract. [40:48] The Celtics have Tatum and Brown. You go on down the list, you get two. So there's 60 of these guys in the league that you can pay 45 to 60, 70 million a year to. [40:59] I'm just, I'm not, he's not one of those guys for me because once you do that, [41:04] That's your title window right there. It's like, all right, these are my best two guys. What's my ceiling? We've already kind of seen the ceiling. They made round two once in Memphis. The last couple of years, they were like, I just don't. [41:16] I think to me at that position, [41:19] I don't want to pay a center more than like 15, 20 million a year. [41:23] It's interesting because... [41:26] It's been proven that [41:29] Jackson can't play center. [41:32] He's just your defense will fall off a cliff against good teams. If this guy is playing center for you because of the rebounding problems, you mentioned it. You're just going to get destroyed on the boards. Yes.

[41:44] At the same time, I'm like, [41:47] And he's not as good on defense as Evan Mobley, but like, has Evan Mobley proven that he could hold down, lock up a center position yet? And we all love him and see him as a player that's worthy of that max extension. And so I'm like... [42:02] I'm very certain I'm watching the Celtics with Keita and Luka Garza [42:13] They're paying a combined $3 million a year. [42:16] I value the perimeter players so much more than centers that aren't impactful, like, [42:22] over the top. Like the Lakers, they got DeAndre Hayton for $8 million a year, right? [42:27] Just throw him in there. [42:28] Hey, can you protect the rim a little bit? I just think these guys are out there. [42:32] And I don't know why I have to pay $240 million for Jaron Jackson, why he's that big of an upgrade. [42:39] over 20 other guys in the league. I don't think he is. [42:42] If the Jazz are in the top five of the West Within the next two years I think his deal is more than worth it [42:49] If you're one of the 10 best teams in the NBA, I think... [42:54] Paying Jaron Jackson that much is... [42:58] more than worth it. Now, if you're still... [43:01] nibbling on the edges of playing status. [43:05] Then I'm just like, mm, mm. [43:08] I don't know. I like that. We have some controversy. Number three, did we go snake fashion? I can't remember. [43:13] We usually go snake. All right. So I'll take the other guy that I thought about here. Zach Levine.

[43:19] Oh, yeah. [43:20] Two years, 96.5 million left. [43:24] At least I can get out of that contract after next year, but... [43:27] Um, [43:29] So he's played twice. This is his 12th year. And he's played four career playoff games. [43:34] I went back on Saturday. I was just trying to figure out, has anyone ever had a better, more meaningless career? No offense to Zach, but... [43:42] So 63 guys have played 600 plus games, made an all-star team. [43:48] an average 20 plus a game for their career. [43:51] 63 total. [43:53] None of them have played less than 26 playoff games, except for Zach Levine, who's played four. [44:00] He's been in one round one. [44:02] And I don't know if he even won a game. [44:05] this guy's career is gonna come and go, and then 50 years from now, somebody's gonna be on Basketball Reference, like, "What's up with Zach Levine? Is he top 100?" [44:14] I just never seen a career like this was. This is a one of one. [44:19] It's so crazy where the talent is so obvious in the sense of like, this guy is an elite shooter, incredible, explosive, [44:29] you know, graceful athlete. He's shown ball handling ability on ball stuff, yet he's a loser every single place that he goes and everybody gets sick of him. And the plus minus doesn't like him either. I think he's like minus 14 this year or something. Obviously, the defense has always been just atrocious. And the thing is, his contract for next year is a player option, guys. I'm reporting that he picked it up.

[44:55] He probably already did. If he opted out, guys. [45:01] Would anybody throw the... [45:05] you know, the Jordan Poole contract of four years, 120 Adam, the Tyler hero. No, no, nobody would want anything to do with this guy. It's like 8 million a year. [45:16] How has he not been a wizard? What did you guys do wrong? It is hilarious. It was the ultimate team for him. [45:24] when you outline that list with 63 guys, what was the attributes to average 20 points? And what was the other thing to play? 600 games. Yeah. Yeah. One all-star team in 20 points. [45:36] Rex Chapman made an all-star team, didn't he? At least once. I don't know if Sexy Rexy ever made one. He didn't make it. Well, that's who I think of when I think of Zach Levine. And Sexy Rexy did get to more playoff games than Levine as well. Well, so that's our first... [45:55] Either the Kings traded for him or drafted him. I'm going to keep a running tally. [46:00] Because they're a recurring theme in this worst contracts draft. We're up to one. House, you have the fifth pick. [46:08] I'm going to take your notion as it relates to centers and the predilection of teams to overpay them and then get nothing at all out of them. And welcome, Jakob Pertl, to the conversation. What's up, my list? It is stunning to me. Do you know? I'll put it to you in the form of a question.

[46:31] How many times in his career has Jakob Pertl, [46:36] averaged 30 minutes a game over a season. [46:40] Did he average that with the Warriors? I doubt it. They don't play a game. Not Warriors. The Spurs. [46:47] Spurs, yeah. [46:50] You might be getting your Jakobs mixed up. I'm going to say he's never played 30. [46:57] You are correct. He has never averaged 30 minutes a game in his entire career over the course of a season. He also... Well, you got to mention what he... So he has... [47:08] This year plus the next four for $123 million because they gave them an extension for reasons that remain unclear. So $123 million commitment. [47:17] The $25 million man. Yeah. Well, this was I wanted to blame Masai, but it's Bobby Webster is the guy. And Bobby's still there. They said at the time that it was he's like the anchor of this young core that's coming together. And immediately he hasn't played 60 games since the 2022-23 season. Maybe it's even going further back. Hasn't played 60 games. His highest number of games is 57. [47:47] whatever the number is this season, under 40. And he's had a bad back all year that they're like, his back's feeling better. It's like, is he talking about me in house or your 30-year-old center makes $25 million a year? The rookie they drafted is ready. Yeah. Why waste another minute with Pirtle? And they tried, you know, over the trade deadline to stick him into some package. The rumors were out there. There's reports about them trying to get off of the stupid contract that they just extended him. It hasn't been a full calendar year.

[48:17] trying to trade the guy whose extension hasn't kicked in yet. That was the Andre Blatch. That was my, when they amnestied Andre, that was my favorite Wizards move ever. But they didn't pay him 25 million bucks a year. Waz, you remember that? We talk about this every year. [48:31] The Wizards gave Andre the extension, and then a year later amnestied him before the extension kicked in. The all-time best. Incredible work. And the crazy thing about Hurdle is that it's just what Toronto just loves to do. They love to get a guy. They love stability. Let's extend him right away. Let's just knock this contract out right away. I think he's had moments in his career where it's like, okay, this is an above-average starting center. [49:01] He was good on Monday night against Detroit. [49:04] or Sunday, whatever, when they just, Sunday, they just beat the trade. So you guys are telling me, [49:10] You would rather have Jaron Jackson, 5 for 240, than Jacoperto, 5 for 123? [49:16] Without hesitation or reservation. Interesting. Yes. Lock set. I feel like that 240 is just crippling. I mean, I have room for one more. You think the Utah Jazz is crippled as a franchise? No, I'm just saying if I'm trying to win a title – [49:31] And I only have two spots. [49:33] And I've just given one of them to Jaron Jackson. I don't know what I'm winning at that point. [49:37] I have to get really, really crazy lucky like the Spurs did with all of these rookie year contract guys. Let me ask you this, Bill. Ask yourself this. Would Utah – [49:47] actually allow Jakob Pertl to finish a game that they were trying to throw and tank in the middle of.

[49:54] Interesting. [49:55] hey yakom get your minutes buddy enjoy all the way through the end of this game all right you have this the uh sixth pick of the draft [50:06] Man this is Yeah this is a pretty simple one for me Not simple, Miles Turner Who Another center [50:16] Another center. [50:18] 26... [50:19] Next year, 26. The year after that, 27. Then a play option for 29. [50:25] Add in the Dame Stretch. [50:27] So that's another like, [50:29] how much tens of millions of dollars every single year. That is fair. If you add the Dame stretch to the Turner thing, he's the third pick. But I don't know if we can legally do that. I think that's a leap of faith. Come on now. I'm finding the loopholes here. And you add to the fact that Giannis is gone. [50:49] You did all of this shit. Giannis ain't coming back. That's why this deal is so egregious to me. It's not just a deal in and of itself. [50:58] So Turner, four for 109. [51:01] Turns 30 next season. [51:03] He's already played 700 plus games. [51:06] And they could have just kept Brooke Lopez and tried to sign a couple cross your finger guys on the scrap heap. [51:14] hope that they could get lucky. [51:15] and kept aim- [51:17] And use Dame, maybe they could have traded Dame in February with one year left on his deal after this for a bigger contract. [51:24] Um, maybe they could have just punted on the season and taken it to the summer and,

[51:28] But instead, they did this damn stretch. [51:31] And, you know, [51:32] I don't know. House, did you like the Turner thing when they did it? Because I remember really not liking it. [51:38] I understand the move because all they have to lose is Giannis, the Greek freak. And so, you know, the notion of trying to find a chemistry that's going to work after the failure of Dame Lillard. And really, that's just because of the injury to Dame. I get it. But, you know, Miles Turner is on the wrong side of so many statistical categories. He can't defend the rim any longer. He is atrocious inside the three-point line. [52:07] So, Waz, I said at the time, [52:10] That this was the equivalent of you're about to break up with somebody, but instead you decide to have a kid to try to save the relationship. Yeah. With the master. And I think that's how it played out. We are... [52:23] We've gone through six. So our first six, Embiid, Paul George, controversial Jaron Jackson, Zach Levine, [52:30] Pirtle, Turner. We're going to take a break, come back, finish the draft. [52:34] Hey, every Wednesday I look through the NBA slate. I try to come up with a parlay. I won the first week. Second week I should have won. I blew it with an over-under. I'm not doing over-unders anymore. Just doing, trying to pick winners, teaming stuff together. [52:45] For that Wednesday slate, [52:47] I'm looking at that Houston Lakers game because I think when teams play back to back in the same location, [52:53] I like going with the team that lost the first game and the second game. So Rockets probably with a couple money line teams against teams that aren't trying hard anymore.

[53:03] And that will probably be the part that I will tweet it out. [53:06] On Wednesday, the bet will be live in the FanDuel Sportsbook app. Don't forget to use a profit boost token. [53:11] to increase your potential winnings. [53:13] before you join me and place your bet. [53:17] Play your game. Did you know about one in three people with plaque psoriasis may also develop psoriatic arthritis, which causes joint pain, stiffness and swelling? [53:27] Does this sound like you? [53:29] Listen to what it sounds like to be a million miles away. [53:59] Tell your doctor if you have an infection, flu-like symptoms, or if you need a vaccine. [54:05] Imagine being a million miles away. Explore what's possible. Ask your doctor about Trimphaya. Tap this ad to learn more about Trimphaya, including important safety information. [54:18] This episode is brought to you by Whole Foods Market. [54:20] Spring is here, so celebrate it with fresh, juicy, seasonal produce and some very tasty limited time flavors. [54:27] New Whole Foods Market Peach Apricot Rose Italian Soda. [54:32] Perfect for a picnic or brunch, as is their trending mango yuzu chantilly cake.

[54:38] But if you're on the go, new 365 strawberry pretzels make a great sweet snack. That sounds delicious. Get savings. [54:46] With yellow sales signs store-wide and everyday low prices on 365 brand items. [54:52] Enjoy the fresh flavors of spring. Save at Whole Foods Market. [54:57] Alright, Waz, you have the seventh pick. What is it? [55:01] Oh, I know where I'm going with this. Arvita Sabonis' kid. [55:08] get him out of here. Get him out of here. I've been banging this drum of this kid is overpaid and overrated for like three, four years now. And I think the league in the world has finally caught up with me where I'm [55:24] The trade deadline, he was one of those guys in the Trey Youngs and all these other guys. The teams are like, please. [55:31] I beg you, get this guy off of my hands. They just straight up couldn't do it. [55:36] And he's owed 45 next year, 48 the year after that. Let me repeat that. Damanis Sabonis is owed 45 next year, 48, to basically be a guy who gets rebounds and can sometimes make an open layup. [55:54] That's it. [55:55] He does nothing else. Can I zag? Actually, he's a good passer, too. I shouldn't say that. He's a good passer. [56:01] Wrong team, wrong organization used incorrectly. I think he might be an asset. [56:06] Yeah, right. I want to see somebody else get him.

[56:08] The plus-minus stats are awful because the defense... [56:12] I do think there's a fun version of him. [56:15] It's just not a fun version of you have to pay him $48 million a year for the fun version. That's where the training gets up. Your center can't have the same wingspan as your point guard. That's just not going to be helpful for your defense. And so, yeah, it's a bonus. He's a glaring player. [56:33] obvious case for me. I wonder if they even try to trade him. So basically it was a four-year 130... [56:39] Four year or three years. [56:41] 136.4, including this year. [56:45] He's only played 20 playoff games. He's never made round two. He turns 30 next year. House, this is another guy I could see on the Wizards at some point. No. Why? Stop that. That's the old Wizards. What the Wizards are doing now is perfectly sound. Don't you dare try it. Trading for injured guys that help you tank who are really expensive. It's totally fine. Tanking this year, not next year. We'll be competitive next year. We'll try hard next year, especially when A.J. DeBansa is playing a wing for the Washington Wizards. We'll be very interesting. [57:15] Is there a team for you guys that you feel like Sabonis would actually be good on? [57:20] You'd have to put him next to some sort of rim protector, right? Like a [57:24] Like a four. Like a Wemby. [57:28] He can play next to Wemby, who's always outside. Yeah, Wemby. He'll do all the paint protecting. And he operates on the outside. So Sabonis can operate inside. But again, he has to play next to a space alien.

[57:41] In order to make any type of sense whatsoever. So that can't be Alex Starr? [57:46] He could have been good. I think he'd be interesting on Houston or Minnesota. I think, you know, in the right kind of rotational spot. He can be effective offensively. [57:57] No, no, he can play next to Sengun because, I mean, it's insurance for the Stephen Adams recurring injury that's every single season. No knock at all. I love Stephen Adams, but he just can't play. I honestly can't believe that's the bonus money that's left until you remember that Vivek paid it. [58:14] And yet I still feel like on the right team, he's such a smart offensive player and he's a good rebounder and there's, [58:21] Stuff that he does... [58:23] But I do feel like he could have a moment, but I really think it would have to be. You'd really have to thread the needle on what kind of team that was. And I don't know. Off the top of my head, I can't think of one. [58:33] Pass. [58:34] You're up with the eighth pick. [58:36] Yeah, this feels like the right spot to put John Morant in. Welcome. Welcome, John Morant. I mean, he's still got two years left, just over $87 million. [58:48] And Memphis asked the entire league, maybe the entire world, maybe they went abroad and asked, would anybody be interested in John Morant's services? The NBA said no. No team in the league was interested in John Morant's services. Miami was a classic Miami move. And they were like, we're good. Thanks. Yeah. [59:06] He's only 26 years old, still can't shoot from three. And unfortunately, the thing that really sets him apart, the ability to get to the rim, has diminished over the last couple of years. And his free throw rate has diminished over the last couple of years. That's really the dynamic version of him that has another six years of a career to it.

[59:36] of years and I don't have an answer as to what team he belongs on. What team would make sense for John Morant? [59:44] 327 games in 7 years. [59:47] Last three years, nine games, 50 games, 20 games. [59:50] And was one mistake away from... [59:53] being suspended for a year, [59:55] I would guess. [59:56] which I don't know if that would help from a cap standpoint. [59:59] But yeah, they put them on eBay for two months and no buyers. And they kept lowering the buy it now price. And people are like, no, thank you. [1:00:07] Also built on what planet [1:00:11] is your age 26 season with no... [1:00:16] reportable drastic injury to [1:00:20] Incite your worst season ever. [1:00:24] Like this whole thing is going in a, [1:00:27] crazy bad direction for him. Yeah. Because it's like you're playing. It's not like you've hit a ceiling. You're playing way worse than you have... [1:00:38] Three years ago. [1:00:40] So what am I to attribute that to besides some people would say change the scenery when you watch it? It's like can't make a shot. [1:00:48] isn't getting to the cup anymore. Yeah. So that's like a lethal combination for the type of game that John Morant plays. He reminds me of some of the guys who just went sideways in the 2000s. [1:01:01] where you'd be like, why isn't Steve Francis good anymore? What happened here? Right. And he just was never good again.

[1:01:06] or Marbury, these guys that just kind of lost it. We'll see. I still feel like... [1:01:12] I wonder if he could be revived. [1:01:15] Me too. [1:01:16] like in the right organization system, whole thing, like almost like a plant that seems dead and you just keep watering it and take care of it. And somehow, [1:01:25] Where did you fall in the great debate of fallen point guards with Ja, Trey, and Mellow Ball? [1:01:34] I thought Melo was the most redeemable of the three. I was a jaw guy because I've actually seen him play serious basketball before. Yeah. Like in the playoffs. Yeah. [1:01:44] whereas like LaMelo Ball it's all just like clown shit you know what I mean but again it's tough man it's tough to hold any hope that this guy's gonna come back [1:01:55] The only thing with Lomelo is I always try to think about the situation. [1:02:00] And the fact that he was just on bad teams with a cheap organization. And you just wonder like, well, what would happen if you just put, [1:02:08] With Ja, the questions are just different. It's like, this guy... [1:02:12] Failed the IQ test. [1:02:14] And then went back into the classroom and then failed it again. And that's where you're like, okay, I'll give you one. But the two makes me a little nervous. Another guy I can't believe wasn't ever on the Wizards. [1:02:25] All right, I have two picks. [1:02:27] Speaking of the Kings, um, [1:02:30] We've gone long enough without mentioning Keegan Murray's name. [1:02:33] Mmm. [1:02:35] signed an extension for some reason because they're the Kings, uh,

[1:02:40] So not including this year, six years, [1:02:44] $151.1 million for Keegan Murray. [1:02:48] who is basically 13 and five the last three years. [1:02:52] Okay three point shooter [1:02:55] There's so many wings. It's almost like the same thing with centers. Like you could... [1:02:59] You can find wings on every team that you could just play 25 minutes against. The Clippers have guys... [1:03:05] They're still guys are still pulling off their warmup jackets on the Clippers. They're like, who's that guy? It's like, ah, he scored 10 points. [1:03:12] I just would never... [1:03:13] overpay guys. [1:03:16] that, [1:03:17] are just role players, and he's a role player. And I don't see any scenario where he's anything more than a role player. So six years, 151, I don't get it. I don't think this contract's tradable. [1:03:27] And that would be my first pick house. [1:03:30] I don't have any argument with it. [1:03:31] See, I think Keegan Murray is tradable in the sense that, [1:03:36] you know what's a bonus. It's like, what's his realistic role on a team? It's like, you gotta find the perfect situation and surroundings and blah, blah, blah. Whereas Keegan Murray, it's like, [1:03:49] If he's playing the way we think he's capable of playing, that fits on every team in the NBA. Right? A guy who can shoot, who's a movement shooter, who's got size. I'm not even sure how good he is on... [1:04:02] He's probably their best wing defender other than Keon Ellis the last two years. So to me, he still has a market, but I understand. He... [1:04:10] Not in the apron era. I don't think there's a...

[1:04:13] really a market in the same way now that you're just constricted on what you can spend. We can just say that he hasn't lived up to the extension this season so far. I think that's fair to say. [1:04:24] Well, I'll give you another wing. [1:04:26] I'm upset that he hasn't been taking it. Patrick Williams on the Bulls. Four years, 72 million. Career, nine points a game. [1:04:35] And they traded Okoro for him, who also was a lottery pick, letdown guy. But Okoro's contract was half as long. [1:04:44] This Bulls GM is the worst GM in the league. [1:04:47] He doesn't have the right PR team for the worst GM argument. We maybe need to get him some help. [1:04:53] But did it turn down the Derek Queen trade? [1:04:57] 12 pick was like no I'm good I don't want your first run pick next year in New Orleans and took the French kid who doesn't play did that Williams-O'Coro trade nobody could figure out [1:05:08] Dumped Kobe White and Io at the trade deadline for nothing? I don't get that. Got like a couple second rounders? [1:05:15] The only trade that's really worked for them was the Giddy Caruso trade. Yeah. But they gave up something. [1:05:20] Um, [1:05:21] I don't understand anything they're doing, but Patrick Williams, this is another example of like, I just don't want to pay. [1:05:26] That guy, 18 million a year when I could find someone for two. [1:05:30] Thank you. [1:05:31] He's got three years guaranteed left after this year, guys. He's a guy who gets the benefit of where he was drafted. And they couldn't – the Bulls had a decision to make. If we let him go and he goes off somewhere else on the extension and does better – And comes back to haunt us. Right. Yeah, yeah. That was the – he has a back-to-haunt-us contract. We had a million of these guys in the 2000s where we would have like the Ty Thomas –

[1:05:59] Stroh Miles, Swift, these guys that I was like, well, he was drafted. [1:06:04] Fourth, he's got to be good, right? And then somebody else would take a chance on them. And then that was it. We've got to invent a new category of extension, the stays to haunt you guy. This is a contract that's going to stay and haunt you. That's called the Joel Embiid. Go ahead. [1:06:23] Yeah, I'm on DeJounte Murray. [1:06:26] It's not like all his fault. Do you know how much money he makes? Well, give the money. Go ahead. Yeah, he still has two years left after this season. And it's $63.5 million. Now, that's the issue. If you want DeJounte Murray and he was getting Jordan Poole money, if he was getting 20 whatever, that's okay. But he is a point guard that can't shoot the three and is a very questionable defender. [1:06:53] And I don't know what his role with this Pelicans team could be. Now, he's playing better. His defense is the thing that should have been his calling card. But, you know, his scoring volume increased. The defense didn't sort of go along with it. So the problem is the money. The problem is the money. I'm really surprised by this. You can't give him over $30 million. Really? $30 million for him? I kind of enjoy the Pelicans as a terrible league pass team. [1:07:23] Thank you. [1:07:23] I thought he's looked... I was kind of shocked by how good he looked. He's talking shit, too. I get it. Seems like he's got the eye of the tiger a little bit. I had actually...

[1:07:33] would trade for him this summer if I was somebody because he looks 30 million dollars I know that's the problem that's just the money he had a he had a point in time man early in his career where I was like this is one of the best on-ball defenders I've ever seen right like in his early San Antonio days he was he was incredible he was unbelievable but like now you know he got a little taste of [1:08:03] don't do defense anymore. I score. That's for other people to do now. And also, he's coming off of an Achilles. So you got to figure some of his athleticism and quickness has been sapped. I briefly thought about him, but it's only two years. So I think teams would be willing to eat that. If you could convince yourself that you're going to get this guy to function within a role [1:08:33] team now who thought he was going to come in and do something significant for them and it just hasn't panned out. So I actually super respect the pick. [1:08:42] I would rather... [1:08:44] Pay him than Jaron Jackson Jr. [1:08:48] Waz, you're up with two in a row. Different amounts of money. I want to get... And this is not to get too controversial, but... [1:08:56] This matters. Mikael Bridges, man. Where's he been? I thought he'd be gone by now. Mikael Bridges, who is old after this season, 33, 36, 38.

[1:09:10] And again, it's not just the money. [1:09:13] They also gave a ton of picks to get him. [1:09:16] And then, you know, if you paying attention to the Knicks Internet, there's a lot of grumbling of like, hold on. If we never gave up all those picks to get this kid in here, we'd have Giannis by now. [1:09:30] So you think about the opportunity costs. [1:09:33] from having given away all of those picks to get Mikael Bridges, who I'll admit, I was all on board when they did this. It was like, well, you got to try to beat Boston. You got to get a bunch of great wings into your building. You pair him with OG. That's a good recipe. And in fact, they beat Boston last year in the playoffs. And Bridges was critical to a lot of the stuff that they were doing on defense. I just think when you watch him over the course of the season, he's so inconsistent. [1:10:03] layups or get fouled or like, and the defense kind of waxes and wanes. And I don't know, man, he seems like a great guy. [1:10:13] and I'm sure his teammates... In the wrong situation, too, where he just doesn't get the ball ever. Now it seems like he's lost confidence a little bit. I don't know. I'm out. He was on my list because... [1:10:25] The key point other than that the production isn't there for somebody making mid-30s. [1:10:29] Um, [1:10:31] He's a walking reminder of all the picks you traded in this one chance you had with near the Knicks where you... [1:10:37] struck oil with the Brunson signing. [1:10:40] Right?

[1:10:40] you were able to convince OG to stay and you got him on a pretty good trade. [1:10:45] And then you had all this draft pick capital to make one major move. [1:10:52] And you kind of shot your wad Forrest Gump style. [1:10:55] Thank you. [1:10:56] it was you put your hand on jenny's boob well he is a villanova guy he's he's he's part of the club you understand it's like maybe maybe maybe show some stamina premature a bit premature it was a premature trade jackulation um i uh [1:11:21] And then Brunson took a little less... [1:11:23] I think so they could give them the extension. [1:11:25] Some weird vibes at that Knicks team. What's your other pick, Wes? [1:11:28] Thank you. [1:11:30] Again, another guy that's going to be a little controversial because the dorks are obsessed with him. But for me, it's Dyson Daniels. I think that extension is looking funny in the light. It is because... [1:11:44] He's just a one-sided player, straight up. [1:11:48] The guy plays one side of the ball and on offense, he's, [1:11:53] I like... [1:11:54] That Quinn Snyder is putting the ball in his hands because God knows he's useless when he doesn't have the ball. Yeah, no defense respects him. You're playing four on five, but it's not like he's showing some real dexterity there. It's just he's getting an opportunity to try to maybe see if it develops. But the shooting just isn't there. And he's not some great finisher at the cup.

[1:12:17] He's not some incredible facilitator. He's a zero on offense. And to be paying a guy $100 million for the next four years, I just think it's tough, man. It's really tough. Wow, I'm shocked by that because the Hawks are red hot. [1:12:33] Red Hot, 10 in a row. And part of the reason is the lineup, they basically brought McCollum in. [1:12:40] They stopped playing Reese's Shea. [1:12:42] And they just kind of got it going. And Jalen Johnson's playing his way on an all-NBA team. How's he? You were surprised by that pick. Well, because I have another guy that fits exactly the parameter of what was just described. And I hope he doesn't take this guy in terms of a brand new extension where you're like, you might have buyer's remorse. Well, you can take him right now. Go. [1:13:03] Oh, did Waz take two? He took Bridges and Dyson Daniels. Oh, that's wonderful. Dyson Daniels was having a great time listening to this pod, and now he's got a gunshot on the side of his head. It's like, what happened? Here's the thing. Dyson Daniels at least has one elite skill. Unfortunately, Christian Brown is a very nice player. Christian Brown. Five-year, $125 million extension signed in October of 2025, [1:13:33] wrong guy to extend because they're not going to be able to extend Peyton Watson. And Peyton Watson is better than Christian Brown. That's a tough one. You can't move off of that within a calendar year. Now, Brown's contribution, we'll see it come playoff time. It did take Peyton Watson longer to contribute, but does anybody here think that Christian Brown's better than Peyton Watson, that Brown has

[1:14:03] He is a one-trick phony. I've watched him guard some really good dudes, though. [1:14:06] It's a little high. They definitely goosed it. They did not sign... [1:14:13] Brown to that extension thinking he would shoot 28.6% from that season. He's also been hurt. [1:14:19] They're open threes. That's the problem. They're Joker threes. He's not going to get that anywhere else in the entire NBA. I'm a big Christian Brown supporter, but he's had a disappointed season. And he's got one extra year. He got one more year than Dyson Daniels. And so, yeah, I think it's the same kind of principle there. And you know what's so funny about that? It's the exact same deal that the Warriors were avoiding with Emmanuel Moody. [1:14:49] I was like, man, you can't give this guy a Dyson Daniels deal? He doesn't deserve the Christian Brown deal? And they said, no, fuck him. [1:15:01] He's out. It's tough. I don't think they're wrong. [1:15:05] That was a good one. [1:15:07] Well, March is fully loaded with a ton of sports to watch. So much going on. Choosing what's worth your time is half the game. I'm going to be breaking down my choices for March's perfect rotation. [1:15:16] in this special segment. [1:15:18] Brought to you by Domino's. Best deal ever. The deal that lets you get any rotation of toppings on any pizza. [1:15:24] For just... [1:15:25] 9. [1:15:26] 99. So this weekend coming up, [1:15:29] We got March Madness. [1:15:30] Just put... [1:15:31] you know, if [1:15:33] I had the three TVs set up.

[1:15:34] I will definitely have two March Madness games on the side. [1:15:38] with probably whatever the best NBA game is, [1:15:41] Might bounce around little Bruins on Saturday, see what's going on with the golf, but it's [1:15:46] I would say at least three basketball games and kind of monitoring other stuff. If there's some sort of MMA or boxing thing, maybe that would be the fifth. [1:15:54] Um, all of that stuff. And it is March and there's a bunch of great stuff going on. All that stuff's great value for your time. Every rotation needs a six man. [1:16:01] And that's where we get Domino's best deal ever. No overthinking, no benching toppings. [1:16:05] just any pizza with any toppings for only $9,000. [1:16:09] 99. [1:16:10] Get Domino's best deal ever. [1:16:13] today. [1:16:13] Prices higher in some locations. Select this online only offer from February 23rd until April 6th. Size availability varies by crust type, max seven toppings, six for New York style and pan crust. [1:16:25] Stuffed crust extra excludes Excel and specialty pizzas. Minimum purchase required for delivery prices. Participation, delivery area, and charges may vary. [1:16:36] This episode is brought to you by Fox One. Watch all 104 matches of the FIFA World Cup live in 4K for just $19.99 a month with three days free. Build your own multi-view, choose up to three streams, and follow player spotlights. Stay on top of every moment with live stats, highlights, and instant replays. The FIFA World Cup, streaming live on Fox One, offers a subject to change. See fox.com for complete terms and conditions.

[1:17:05] Send Help is now streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+. We're somewhere in the Gulf of Thailand. Getting us out of here should be your focus. I'm your boss. You work for me. You're not in the office anymore. It's bold, relentless, and endlessly rewatchable. [1:17:22] Discover why critics give it 93% on Rotten Tomatoes. You're so fired. Oh, am I? No help is coming. Send Help, rated R. Now streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+. [1:17:34] Thank you. [1:17:35] Well, I can't believe this guy hasn't been taken yet. [1:17:38] I don't know where you guys were. I thought for sure he wouldn't get back to me. [1:17:42] Anthony Davis. [1:17:44] This year and the next two, three years, 175.3 million. [1:17:49] Since the bubble title, [1:17:51] He's played 279 games and missed 203 because I assume he's not coming back. [1:17:56] Since the bubble title, 36 games, 40, 56, 76, 51, 20. [1:18:01] He's 33 years old. He's going to be 34 next year. And they tried to trade him, and there were no takers. [1:18:06] And, uh, [1:18:07] Our friend Rich Paul, he tried to lay the ground of if you trade him, you got to give him an extension. And that quickly became, wait, you've traded the Wizards? There was no market for him. [1:18:17] And I actually thought House's team got kind of a steal because what do they care? They're not getting a free agent anyway. But. [1:18:24] Just fundamentally – [1:18:25] Paying this guy $120 million for two years and you have no idea if he's going to play 30 games? That seems like a bad contract. [1:18:33] For me with AD...

[1:18:35] When he plays, I think he plays close to what that contract is worth. Whereas like with a Paul George and some of these other, it's like you're just not playing like a $[redacted address]. [1:18:50] The defense gets lifted up. Yeah. He's a plus offensive player. And like, he's really good, but the guy just does not play. And so he's, his nickname is, or his name is now AD when he plays. [1:19:02] it's just like for a while he was every other davis every other davis any day that he plays anthony street clothes davis yeah i from you from from a rational perspective i have no quibble with the idea of davis at this spot in this thing i will say this i do think his um impact and meaning to this wizards team is outsized and it it will have you know translate into a kind of value that [1:19:32] It's gigantic. If we can get, honestly, I'll take 60 games from him. Because what he will teach Sar, who has already got the instincts as a rim protector, what he will create. He didn't have it that night against Miami. That's for sure. He got, oh, my God, did his lunch get just destroyed that day. How else is he going to learn? I thought it was a learning. You haven't been on the podcast since that happened. The disgrace of the 83. I don't know what you're talking about. [1:20:02] Riley and Alex Sarr combined for 50 points. It was a tremendous developing game. How did your team give up? Legra brought this up.

[1:20:13] How did your team give up 30 points in the first quarter to bam out of Bayou? [1:20:18] When the heat rested everybody else. [1:20:20] What were they doing? [1:20:22] They couldn't get in front of him without fouling him. He set the NBA record. What do you mean to say? It was the worst moment in Wizards history. It was embarrassing. No, no. There's been far worse moments than that. There's definitely been far worse moments. Jordan Poole was on this team. The Celtics played the Wizards after, and Kata had like 25 in the first half or something. And Scalabrini was announcing with our friend Drew Carter. [1:20:49] and he just over and over again, he was like, it was almost like he was muttering to himself, like he forgot his mic was on, he was like, [1:20:56] I just, I don't understand what the Wizards are doing. I don't understand. I've never seen defense like this. I don't understand why they won't guard Kada. [1:21:05] They're just letting him get layups. I don't understand this, Drew. I don't understand what they're doing. And he just kept saying it. [1:21:11] which is how everyone feels watching the Wizards. Wizards covered. Line was 20 and a half. Wizards covered. Go ahead. So the coach just, he got all his money up front. [1:21:20] and he's a developmental coaching. [1:21:23] They have all of these G League guys that are bringing up. It's really fun to see Juju Reese. Maryland Terrapin's own Juju Reese. Angel's brother. Angel came to a game. Oh, congrats, House. Yeah. I didn't realize the season was just uplifting. It's a buzz. Why not? Sharif Cooper, internet legend, Instagram legend that's getting some run. Yeah, why not? Wow. I'm in the camp that this is just not good for young players to be on the Washington Generals, basically. I don't see how this is helpful to anybody.

[1:21:53] I think the idea, bro, when they traded for Trey Young and AD and they're like basically bragging to anybody who would listen that these guys will not play because they're going to be too competitive. Yeah. Yeah. [1:22:08] Are you fucking kidding me? Trey Young, who nobody in the NBA wanted, would make you too competitive? [1:22:16] CJ McCollum made him too competitive. CJ McCollum, they had to get him rid of him. That was the trade. It was necessary. They thought they could get away with keeping Trey on the bench for the whole season. That's nuts. The league is like, that's enough. How's this turning to those Philly fans during the mid-2010s with the process? I love what we're doing. At a certain point, House, this is professional sports. You should be trying to win, bro. You should be trying to teach these kids winning habits. [1:22:46] Or at least we're forecasting. Guys, we need you to lose every day. [1:22:51] I know. Yeah. It's stuck every day. It's one thing to game the system. It's another thing to just. [1:22:56] Be completely humiliated game after game. I got it. [1:23:00] I don't get it. [1:23:01] Past year, just... [1:23:03] What do you want me to say? They have a mission. They have a mission and they're going to be very successful at achieving their goal, which is having one of the four worst records in the NBA. They're going to destroy the integrity of professional sports. No, just the NBA. And the NBA doesn't have any integrity. The NBA is the league that gave the Dallas Mavericks the first overall draft pick last season. They can fuck right off.

[1:23:33] year left after this year guy that's been taken. I don't think we've taken an expiring 27 guy yet. [1:23:39] And I'm going to have to do it here with DeAndre Hunter. [1:23:43] Two years, 48.2 million people. [1:23:47] This year he was averaging 14 points a game for the Cavaliers and shooting 30.5% from three. [1:23:53] On threes that were wide open because nobody was guarding him because everybody was like, please shoot. We're going to guard Donovan Mitchell and the other guys of this team. Couldn't make any of them. [1:24:01] And the Kings were like, [1:24:02] He's available. Intriguing. [1:24:05] And went and grabbed him. And I didn't understand it at all. I thought he was so bad. [1:24:10] Second half of last year with the Cavs and then this season, I can't believe anybody would want to pay him. [1:24:16] 24 million when you could just find 10 guys who could [1:24:20] get three. All you need to know is the Cavs had him in their building and they said, ah, we'd rather Dean Wade. [1:24:26] That's. [1:24:27] Really tough. Really tough. So our first two-year guy. House, you're up. [1:24:32] Um... [1:24:33] I'm surprised this guy has fallen this far, but maybe because there's only two years left, one of them is a player option. Jalen Green feels like a guy that should get mentioned at this point in the draft. He really shouldn't jump ahead of either Colin Gillespie or Grayson Allen in the starting rotation for the Phoenix Suns. This is another guy who Houston had to extend him because of where they took him in the draft. The problem is... Well, save the money.

[1:25:03] including this year. [1:25:05] So two years after this year Player option remaining At over 72 million dollars After this season 36 million Yeah that is the issue He'll probably be picking up that player option This is the thing about Jalen Green I was one of the last people off the bandwagon And there's times even in the Boston game Where I'm like yo this is a useful player Like he's puncturing the defense He's disrupting stuff He felt pesky And like [1:25:34] good in moments against Boston. Yes, but he's just so inconsistent. The decision-making comes and goes. The shot is all over the place. Yeah, he definitely belongs on this list, for sure. This was the right area to take him. I think it's a great pick. [1:25:50] I've been impressed with how hard he's playing for Phoenix, though. [1:25:53] And I do think his heart's in the right place. I just think he was a young player who went to a bad team. [1:25:58] Um, I'm not sure what happens to his minutes when Brooks comes back, but he does. [1:26:02] These moments every once in a while, you're really like, so talented. If he's healthy this upcoming season, you know, that he might end up being an asset. Because this Phoenix thing, what they have going on there with, you know, coaching, there is a kind of ethic there where he might, you know, it might click in for him. They did a good job. Yeah, with the... [1:26:23] Guys who just play hard and give a shit. [1:26:26] And you kind of either, for Jalen Green, who I think could go either way as a player, it feels like he's at least embracing the right things. They played the Celtics really well last night.

[1:26:36] That was a good game. Booker and Boston. You can just book the 40-plus points. Waz, do you have two picks left? [1:26:42] Oh yeah I got 20 picks left First one absolutely Jeremy Grant [1:26:49] 34 mil next season 36 mil player option he's just average and [1:26:57] Is he even average at this point? I think he's been in every draft that we've done. [1:27:02] Even his old contract, I think, was also in this. I think he's been all decade. He's like the Mikael Bridges streak of worst contract draft. Who's my name? [1:27:20] Kyrie Irving. Kyrie Irving. [1:27:22] Okay. 39 mil next season coming off of the ACL play option for 40 after that. [1:27:29] That's getting picked up. He's a small guy. [1:27:34] You know, obviously his mobility is going to be compromised by the career long injuries, guys. Like, you've been having dealing with injuries all the time. And it's like even when he comes back, can you count on him to be on the floor? And so, yeah, Kyrie to me, tough, tough, tough contract. Two different spots in his career where he basically took 18 months off. [1:27:57] Yeah. Right? Because that net season, that first net season, he didn't really play. And then they shoved him for this one. [1:28:04] I think this is the right spot for him. I have no idea anymore with longevity house.

[1:28:09] Because back in the day, it was like if somebody had that injury in their early 30s, their career was just over. There was no chance they'd come back now. Yeah. [1:28:16] Watching Jason Tatum just blow by guys 10 months after an Achilles, I don't know what to think anymore, but it does feel a little pricey. [1:28:24] I would say, um, [1:28:26] Okay, what's your other pick then? Oh, you have Jeremy Grant and Kyrie. So how's your up? Yeah, they did it. [1:28:30] This is going to be controversial. I'm interested in the reaction of you guys. I do wonder about De'Aaron Fox. Because there is a ton of money left on this contract. And what does he represent to this team now? [1:28:53] If Dylan Harper needs more minutes, if you need minutes, how are you going to give the minutes to the to the backcourt across the board here? How many more times do you think the Aaron Fox is going to be an all star? That's what you have to kind of answer. This is a thought experiment. Like I'm looking. I'm like, wow, it's just it's it's over. It's four more years and it's two hundred and twenty three million dollars remaining. It's a it's a it's a very large number to me. [1:29:23] conversation to have. I saw him in person last night and thought he looked fucking great. [1:29:29] So that's, and they have the money to spend because Wemby's not a rookie deal. [1:29:33] All true. If they're at the if they're in the top two of the West, to me, he's worth the money. I agree. At a certain point, you know, some extensions are going to kick in way down the road for the younger guards. But right now, then you flip the next two to three seasons. He seems worth the trouble. And I think he's I think he's flippable. That's the difference. Right. Yeah. Where we talk about guys like Embiid. There's the second Philly picks up that phone click on the other end.

[1:30:03] You're talking, trading me that NB deal. I think with Fox, he's known as a hard worker, a good locker room guy, can play. You know what I'm saying? I think it was. It's why I posted it as a thought experiment. I do not know. It's very unfair to say how many times over the life of this contract is he going to be an all-star because you go through the West. Well, his redundancy is at his position with Castle, and you're hoping if Dylan Harper, who you drafted, is what you think he's going to be. [1:30:33] Understandable, right? But Harper's not there yet. Not even close, obviously. He's just a rookie. Agreed. So we'll see. Thought experiment. That's the only reason I put it up. I appreciate the spirit behind the pick. [1:30:45] I feel even better about my Jaron Jackson pick. [1:30:48] You just wondered about five for 220 for the second best guy in a team that might win the title. I just can't believe how much you dismiss defense. He's an elite effing defender. He's already multiple first-time, first all NBA defender. Defensive player of the year. Why does this guy Kobe made small defenses in the mid to late 2000s that we weren't sure about? [1:31:18] there are elite bets for him. The fact that the statute of limitations on Colby snark has expired is amazing for me. It's a great feeling. I'm not going to lie. It's just for the Laker fans who are nuts about him.

[1:31:35] The, uh, [1:31:37] This name hasn't been said yet. [1:31:39] It's been said, I think every year we've had the draft [1:31:42] He only has a year left after this one. [1:31:44] It's a two-year 42.7 left on the deal. [1:31:48] I just can't believe how bad he is in some of the games as I watch my friend Doc Rivers trying to save the Bucs season. Kyle Kuzma. Oh, God. Damn. I just like paying Kyle Kuzma over $20 million. How much does he have left? It's $42.5 for this year and the next year. I just have to take him. Kuz, my guy. Yeah, it's been a rough one. Really rough. He threw a pass the other night. [1:32:13] That went way into like the third day. And they cut to Doc. Doc's face is just he couldn't believe it. [1:32:23] It's just You're just trying I started calling him Samsonite Samsonite [1:32:29] When he was with Samsonite, I... [1:32:32] Go ahead. I just don't think he would play... [1:32:35] Yeah, because his bag was always packed. His luggage was sitting right there at the end of the bed. He's got a bag always packed. My boy Samsonite. I don't think he'd play one minute on the Celtics. [1:32:46] Um, [1:32:48] Oh, wow. [1:32:49] There's still some good guys left. Oh, yeah. There's a few guys on the border... [1:32:57] And I wouldn't even say on the border, just [1:33:00] And I have this, I have a list called, I have, I got my eye on this.

[1:33:07] I, uh. [1:33:09] I got to go back to my center point. [1:33:11] center thing. [1:33:14] That's the right time to take them. Jared Allen. [1:33:17] Five years, including this year for 130. [1:33:22] And I've watched Namias Kada outplay him multiple times. [1:33:26] And I just don't want to pay that much for a center, ever. I just feel like I can find centers. [1:33:31] respectable. I think on another team, he's a perfectly fine starter. Yeah, yeah. I think it's [1:33:38] He's... [1:33:39] Not a top eight center, but he's solid. [1:33:43] Solid center. I just don't want to pay that much for a center when I have a second apron and all luxury tax and shit like that. House, do you have any more picks? I just feel like, again, this is a thought experiment. You guys feel like Carl Anthony Towns, two years left, $120 million. [1:33:59] he was on my list okay okay it goes back to the Jaren Jackson thing this is one of my two guys on pay two years after this one yeah yeah yeah at $120 million it caught my attention [1:34:16] Wads, you have two. You want to go quick? Yeah, Finney Smith's [1:34:21] I wish he'd have been taken sooner He's toast This guy is done He's got 40 mil after this year Over the next three years Jonathan Isaac Another guy who's toast to me He's just completely toast And has 45 mil after this year Oh

[1:34:39] So I get it. They got a quote unquote discount because of the injuries. But three years, 45 after this season. So he's out of here. Those are I'm out of. Oh, yeah. [1:34:49] One more front line just to throw it out there. Jordan Poole making 34 next year to be a scrub bench warmer. Like, God damn. That's just horrible. That's fine. He's, yeah. He's perpetually on the list. He always deserves being on the list. How, do you have any more? No, no. I'm happy with where I ended here. Can you... [1:35:09] Can we each go... [1:35:12] One guy you really wanted to take, but you didn't have the balls? [1:35:15] Oh, that's easy. Franz Wagner. [1:35:18] Oh, that's tremendous. Five for 220. Lord, have mercy. That is tremendous. [1:35:26] I do like his game. It doesn't seem like he gets hurt, though. [1:35:30] You have to play the games. [1:35:34] I gave Jabari Smith some consideration. [1:35:39] Just because of lack of consistency, but then he served me some shut the fuck up juice last night. He had a very good game, and so I'm just going to shut the fuck up. But that would be, you know, I looked at him. Not an idea. [1:35:51] Not an ideal time to bring this name up, Bill, but [1:35:55] Bam out of bio. [1:36:04] 52 next year. 56 the year after that. Player option for 60 the year after that.

[1:36:12] Thank you. [1:36:12] Forever in the record books. The guy averages 17 points a game. I had two that I... [1:36:18] Really looked at. [1:36:22] Kevin Durant? [1:36:25] I agree no no no no no no you can't even make the case he's still he's too good at age 37 three three for counting this year three for 144.7 [1:36:42] So I have him for two more years after this year. [1:36:45] And he'll be 39 at the end of that. And every time I watch [1:36:50] him go against a good team, it feels like it could go either way. [1:36:54] Not to mention... [1:36:55] some of the non-basketball stuff. [1:36:58] I just wonder if that's, do you want to be in the 50 million a year for Kevin Durant business at this point of his career? One of the market teams is snapping them up like this. That's why I just looked at it for a second. [1:37:10] Um, [1:37:13] Are we sure Laurie Markkinen should make $200 million for four years? I've got my eye on this. We're talking about him. [1:37:20] Did I fall asleep for a minute that my internet go out? We haven't talked about Zion? If you're going to say Laurie Markkinen... You can get out of that contract every year, though. You can take him year for year. He's on a year deal. Markkinen is at 46 next year, 49 the year after that, 53 and a half the year after that. Where it's like, [1:37:41] We have no idea. We have no idea. I know you play guys that are good on your team. Let us see if he can play. We didn't mention Trey Young two for 95.3.

[1:37:52] He's going to get an extension. He's expiring next year. Well, if he gets an extension, we should have picked Trey Young's extension as a pick. That's what they picked. You guys are 100%. That should have been a pick. The extension hasn't been announced. Is this actually really happening? They're really going to extend this dude? As big money? House, don't do it. It's happening. House, no. [1:38:14] I'm telling you. Well, we could just pin Trey Young to the top of next year's draft. Ice Trey and Trey Johnson. We got Trey to Trey, baby. [1:38:22] It's going to be delightful. Did anybody... [1:38:24] Take a spin around the block with Jalen Suggs' 5 for 150 contract. I love Jalen Suggs too much. I can't. I felt the same way. He means too much to that team. I'm being personally attached. 30 is fair for him. I'm emotionally attached to this guy. That's why I landed as well. When you compare him to Jalen Green, other guys around that 30, we're like, do you really want to pay the 30 to Jalen Suggs is fair. We respect championship quality and equity here, but Siakam – [1:38:53] He's been really good this year. [1:38:55] Yeah. I think it's a fair price for him, though. Don't you think he's like in the 45 a year range? I just keep keeping my eye on it. He's getting older. He's getting up in age, guys. I'm just keeping my eye. And Shingon. [1:39:08] Keep an eye on that. Your coach is dissing you every single day. He basically called your defense trash multiple times in public. Might have been right. Keep an eye on the show. [1:39:19] Wes, where are you standing on Emmanuel Quickly 4 for 130? Oh, my God.

[1:39:24] He's... [1:39:26] Thank you. [1:39:27] He could have gone in the top 15. He slides under the radar because it's like at 32... [1:39:35] 32 and a half a year. If you're playing, if you're starting on... [1:39:41] the Eastern Conference's fifth best team ever, [1:39:44] That's kind of fair. Yeah. But he's not playing like that, though. [1:39:50] The problem is the... [1:39:52] He's basically in the heat check spot for the Raptors, like kind of elevated heat check where Jordan Clarkson was a couple of years ago. [1:39:58] You don't want to pay those guys 30. You want to pay them like 20. So it's $10 million too much, but Toronto just made a strategy. The only other one we didn't mention were Terrence Mann for three for 47, and, [1:40:09] Malik Monk for three for 65. And I'd like to commend all of us for not mentioning any of the Achilles guys. [1:40:17] Nobody brought up Tatum. Thank you, guys, for not bringing up Tatum. Kudos for nobody bringing up Tyrese Halliburton, making over $200 million for the next couple of years. No, no, no. And then Dame, Dame three for 42. [1:40:30] He's just getting the end of it. He's getting what he got. [1:40:33] And then the last one would be Kawhi three for 149, which he's been so awesome this year. But it's the same thing with Durant. Like, am I going to be happy with that? [1:40:43] In 2027, [1:40:45] Probably not, but... Next year is Kawhi's last year on the deal. That's why it's like, I can't even... [1:40:52] Consider it he's got Like he's on an expiring But he's got the player option after that though

[1:40:59] I thought. [1:41:00] next year is it next year he's done [1:41:04] I screwed that up. You're right. [1:41:06] um, [1:41:07] We did mention Draymond Green, two for 53.5. [1:41:10] of [1:41:11] We didn't mention Drew Holiday, three for 102.4. [1:41:15] And then Rudy Gobert just came out unscathed. Two for 72. Everybody's cool with it. We used to... [1:41:22] So two rookie contracts house. [1:41:25] Risa Shea, two for 27, basically. [1:41:28] You got to pay him $13 million next year. He doesn't play anymore. Don't care. And then Rob Dillingham gets like $7 million guaranteed next year and should be headed toward Europe. And that's really it. I think if we did this two weeks ago, I think one of us would have taken DeAndre Ayton for the comedy. [1:41:46] But he's actually been out there in crunch time. So. [1:41:49] And I think Bam absolutely makes the list list, if not for this two-way. That's a great point. Bam would have been pretty high up there. Because he's had a tough offensive season overall. He would have been pretty high up there. All right, so finalists. [1:42:04] Embiid, Paul George. [1:42:06] Jaron Jackson Jr., controversial. Levine, Perto. [1:42:10] Miles Turner, Sabonis, John Morant, Keegan Murray. [1:42:14] Patrick Lambs. [1:42:15] DeJounte Murray, still disagree with that one. Mikael Bridges, Dyson Daniels, Christian Brown. [1:42:21] Anthony Davis, DeAndre Hunter, Jalen Green, Jeremy Grant, Kyrie Irving. [1:42:26] Darren Fox disagreed with that one. Kyle Kuzma.

[1:42:30] Jared Allen, Carl Anthony Towns, and Dorian Finney-Smith. [1:42:35] who was Mr. Irrelevant of the worst contracts draft for 2026. We're going to be saying about our worst contract friends next year. I don't like Kuzma won't make it. Maybe Jeremy Grant doesn't make it next year. His streak might be over. [1:42:52] maybe there'll be some new guys we didn't expect. [1:42:56] Zach Ravine's definitely gone. Last year, some of the guys that we took... [1:43:02] ended up playing their way out of bad contract status. [1:43:07] I'm pretty sure. Hold on. I had this [1:43:10] Like, didn't we have... [1:43:12] I think somebody took Scotty Barnes last year at one point. Oh, I did. I took Scotty Barnes sometime in the last two years because of the way that Toronto was open and notorious with its tank job. There was no point to paying him. They were sacrificing years of the extension. [1:43:30] I think Brandon Ingram got taken, but there's some guys that played themselves off the list. So the point is there's hope for anybody on this list. You control your own destiny. [1:43:39] Next year, you might be on the best contracts list. Oh, I see a cat tail. See, Mimi's being rude. That's the end of the podcast when Waz's cat waves the tail. How's always a pleasure? Waz, a true pleasure. Great to have you back. This was fun, guys. Thanks to Gahal and Eduardo as well. Don't forget, New Rewatchables is up to live and die in LA, and I'm going to be back with a podcast. Oh, and a Rewatchables mailbag going up Wednesday night, and then another podcast here on Thursday. So, uh...

[1:44:06] I'll see you with a couple more pods the rest of the week. Thanks, guys. [1:44:23] We saw [1:44:25] So I [1:44:26] Thank you. [1:44:28] Must be 21 plus in present in select states for Kansas in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino or 18 plus in present in D.C., Kentucky or Wyoming. Often required bonus issued as nominal drawable bonus bets, which expire seven days after receipt. Max bonus $500 unless otherwise specified restrictions apply. Gave them a problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call [redacted government id] or visit ccpg.org slash chat in Connecticut or mdgamblinghelp.org in Maryland. [1:44:58] Visit gamblinghelplinema.org or call [redacted phone] for 24-7 support in Massachusetts or call 877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPE-NY in New York for Louisiana. Call [redacted phone]. [1:45:13] Stitch Fix. Stop shopping. Get styled. Not today, sweatpants. Somebody's wearing jeans that fit. Wow! No photos, please. I'm just a regular dad who happens to have a stylist. I really look my best when someone else makes the decisions. Hey, we can all see you two-way mirrors. Just share your size, style, and budget, and your stylist sends personalized looks right to your door. Stitch Fix. Get started today at stitchfix.com. I want to hug you. I'm going to hug you. I'm coming in for a hug.

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