Hardwood Knocks: An NBA Podcast

Dan is joined by Nick Crain (@CrainNBA), Jacob Kniffen (@JacobKniffen) and Tayler Peterson (@Tayler_P15) from The Uncontested podcast to break down the 2026-27 Oklahoma City Thunder. SUBSCRIBE TO THE UNCONTESTED ON YOUTUBE, and SUPPORT THEM ON PATREON: https://t.co/RoXfK1lcdL. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO4:21 - Themes from last season8:17 - Oklahoma City’s collateral damage14:56 - Who picks up Lu Dort’s defensive workload?16:43 -  Jalen Williams’ “return”21:28 - Trickle-down effect of Dort’s absence24:41 - Cason Wallace’s role and future34:06 - Can Chet Holmgren be more aggressive?42:12 - Ajay M...

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

Dan is joined by Kyle Theige (@KyleTheige) from The Dane Moore NBA Podcast to break down the 2026-27 Minnesota Timberwolves. SUBSCRIBE TO THE DANE MOORE NBA PODCAST on YouTube. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO2:32 - The Wolves’ offseason8:04 - LaMelo Ball’s arrival and fit18:24 - How much faster will the Wolves play?19:11 - Anthony Edwards-LaMelo Ball dynamic28:52 - The Jonathan Kuminga gamble42:16 - Can Jaden McDaniels play the 4?48:06 - Minnesota’s reliance on Rudy Gobert53:41 - Is Joan Beringer ready?57:54 - Terrence Shannon Jr. or Jaylen Clark?1:03:12 - Donte DiVincenzo...

Dan is joined by Kirk Henderson (@KirkSeriousFace) from Pod Maverick and Mavs Moneyball to break down the 2026-27 Dallas Mavericks. SUBSCRIBE TO POD MAVERICK ON YOUTUBE. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO0:39 - The Masai Ujiri + Dusty May hires3:48 - Stylistic changes under Dusty May8:18 - Cooper Flagg’s continued development15:57 - Kyrie Irving’s return + ball-handling pecking order19:07 - Will Sergio de Larrea play?21:13 - Dereck Lively II’s outlook23:16 - Morez Johnson Jr. breakdown26:26 - Santi Aldama, PJ Washington and Naji Marshall29:02 - Zaccharie Risacher or Marcus Sasser?32:16...

Dan is joined by Keith Parish (@fastbreakbreak) of the Fastbreak Breakfast and Grits and Grinds podcasts to break down the 2026-27 Memphis Grizzlies. SUBSCRIBE TO FASTBREAK BREAKFAST HERE AND TO GRITS AND GRINDS HERE. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO1:01 - Memphis’ direction6:17 - Impressions of Tuomas Iisalo7:37 - Cam Boozer breakdown10:48 - Zach Edey’s workload + center rotation13:55 - Cedric Coward’s continued development18:22 - Ty Jerome’s impact19:57 - Who will Memphis start?22:22 - The most important “Other Guys”29:58 - BUY OR SELL?!37:12 - Biggest needs38:13 - Could the Grizzlies co...

Dan and Grant are grading the 2026 NBA offseason for EVERY team! NEXT UP: The Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO1:27 - Grading criteria4:23 - Denver Nuggets24:27 - Minnesota Timberwolves39:39 - Portland Trail Blazers FAKEOUT39:49 - Oklahoma City Thunder50:12 - Portland Trail Blazers (for real)58:36 - Utah JazzSUPPORT US ON PATREON 🫶SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCHSUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️TikTok: @hardwoodknocksTwitter @HardwoodKno...

Dan and Grant are grading the 2026 NBA offseason for EVERY team! NEXT UP: The Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings! TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO1:39 - Grading Criteria4:09 - Golden State Warriors16:07 - Los Angeles Clippers29:19 - Los Angeles Lakers46:59 - Phoenix Suns1:00:23 - Sacramento KingsSUPPORT US ON PATREON 🫶SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCHSUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️TikTok: @hardwoodknocksTwitter @HardwoodKnocksInstagram: @hardwood_knocks Dan's Bluesky: @danfavale<br...

Dan is joined by Shamit Dua (@FearTheBrown) of In The NO to break down the 2026-27 New Orleans Pelicans. Follow all of In The NO’s written and podcast work HERE. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO0:56 - Pelicans’ direction2:52 - Jamahl Mosley hire4:40 - Can the Pelicans improve defensively?6:35 - The Zion Williamson-Derik Queen dynamic8:59 - Derik Queen’s continued development13:58 - Jeremiah Fears’ continued development17:20 - Bennedict Mathurin’s fit21:39 - Dejounte Murray’s performance23:03 - The no-center lineup24:30 - Importance of Trey Murphy III29:11 - Herb Jones’ impact32:41...

Dan is joined by Lauren L. Williams (@WilliamsLaurenL) of the AJC to break down the 2026-27 Atlanta Hawks. Follow all of Lauren’s work at the AJC RIGHT HERE. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO2:08 - The offseason approach6:02 - Why did the Hawks trade Zaccharie Risacher?8:28 - Lu Dort’s fit12:10 - Kingston Flemings breakdown18:17 - What is Jalen Johnson’s ceiling?23:16 - Onyeka Okongwu’s rise + Atlanta’s future at center26:26 - Asa Newell’s development + secondary big rotation31:21 - What’s the future hold 34:19 - Ranking CJ McCollum, Nickeil Alexander-Walker an...

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

Dan is joined by Bobby Manning (@RealBobManning) of CLNS Media to break down the 2026-27 Boston Celtics. FOLLOW Bobby’s podcasting work HERE: youtube.com/watch?is=Y-54g-lmgthzPBRC&v=A55kn-nKCok&feature=youtu.be. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO1:22 - The Jaylen Brown trade7:04 - Were the Celtics with Brown far away from contention?10:58 - Where Brown’s impact will be felt most20:44 - Paul George’s fit25:41 - Mitchell Robinson’s fit and the center rotation31:46 - Chris Cenac Jr. breakdown33:36  - Jayson Tatum’s performance post-Achilles injury43:04 - Can Payton Pritchar...

Dan and Grant are grading the 2026 NBA offseason for EVERY team! NEXT UP: The Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO3:15 - Our grading process5:02 - Atlanta Hawks19:08 - Charlotte Hornets35:27 - Miami Heat52:13 - Orlando Magic56:59 - Washington WizardsSUPPORT US ON PATREON 🫶SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCHSUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️TikTok: @hardwoodknocksTwitter @HardwoodKnocksInstagram: @hardwood_knocks Dan's Bluesky: @danfavaleDan's Twitter: @da...

Dan is joined by Justin Rowan (@cavsanada) of The Chase Down Podcast to break down the 2026-27 Cleveland Cavaliers. FOLLOW THE CHASE DOWN POD ON YOUTUBE. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO1:22 - Lessons learned from last season4:56 - The Peyton Watson trade and fit25:07 - Donovan Mitchell’s contract and future32:13 - James Harden’s fit37:36 - Evan Mobley’s improvement42:14 - Jaylen Tyson’s next frontier44:05 - Importance of Sam Merrill45:19 - Early impressions of Meleek Thomas50:24 - The secondary guard rotation51:45 - Do the Cavs have something in Nae’Qwan Tomlin?<b...

Dan and Grant are grading the 2026 NBA offseason for EVERY team! NEXT UP: The Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO2:10 - Our grading criteria4:57 - Boston Celtics31:11 - Brooklyn Nets40:58 - New York Knicks48:31 - Philadelphia 76ers56:30 - Toronto RaptorsSUPPORT US ON PATREON 🫶SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCHSUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️TikTok: @hardwoodknocksTwitter @HardwoodKnocksInstagram: @hardwood_knocks Dan's Bluesky: @danfavaleDan's T...

Dan is joined by Konata Edwards (@natathescribe) to break down the 2026-27 Charlotte Hornets! They begin by tackling the team's direction following the LaMelo Ball trade and whether that was the right decision. From there, they get into the pressure and continued development on Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel and Naz Reid's fit before digging into other prospect breakdowns, rotation questions, predictions and more! TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO0:56 - The LaMelo Ball trade14:00 - Who are the Hornets betting on?16:15 - Can Kon Knueppel do more on-ball?19:26 - The complicated development of Brandon Miller24:57 - Ca...

Dan and Grant are grading the 2026 NBA offseason for EVERY team! First up: The Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO1:12 - Grading process5:04 - Chicago Bulls12:31 - Cleveland Cavaliers25:25 - Detroit Pistons40:02 - Indiana Pacers46:06 - Milwaukee BucksSUPPORT US ON PATREON 🫶SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCHSUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️TikTok: @hardwoodknocksTwitter @HardwoodKnocksInstagram: @hardwood_knocks Dan's Bluesky: @danfavaleDan's Twitter: @danfavale<br...

Dan and Grant react to the NBA laying the SMACKDOWN on the Los Angeles Clippers for circumventing the salary cap by facilitating sponsorship payments to Kawhi Leonard. TIMESTAMPS⤵️0:00 - INTRO2:02 - Is the Clippers’ punishment surprising?6:57 - Did Kawhi Leonard deserve a harsher punishment?11:27 - The Clippers’ argument came back to bite them18:28 - The Clippers’ letter to Adam Silver27:35 - Long-term ramifications for other NBA teams31:53 - People were wrong about Pablo Torre35:43 - Will the Kawhi trade now go through?37:04 - What happened with the ESPN report?39:42 - Where do...

Dan is joined by Philip Rossman-Reich (@philiprr) of Locked On Magic and Orlando Magic Daily to break down the 2026-27 Orlando Magic! SUBSCRIBE TO PHILIP’S COVERAGE ON PATREON HERE: https://t.co/epoZKIt8GJ. TIMESTAMPS ⤵️0:00 - INTRO3:42 - The Magic’s offseason approach10:08 - Sean Sweeney’s offensive system14:21 - What went wrong defensively last year?18:22 - Orlando’s defensive approach21:59 - Can the Magic make life easier on Paolo Banchero?30:13 - Will Jalen Suggs’ role change?35:24 - Paolo Banchero’s leadership39:17 - Franz Wagner taking on more offensive initiation...

Dan is joined by Matt Modderno (@MattModderno) of the Bleav in Wizards podcast to break down the 2026-27 Washington Wizards! SUBSCRIBE TO BLEAV IN WIZARDS HERE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiV9sl0LU7fVs0tTZiX-rEFbtvI-_Jyey. TIMESTAMPS ⤵️0:00 - INTRO1:55 - What do we make of the Wizards’ direction?8:15 - The impact of Trae Young16:26 - The Alex Sarr-Anthony Davis fit21:58 - AJ Dybantsa’s role28:43 - Kyshawn George’s next frontier34:44 - Tre Johnson and Bub Carrington breakdowns39:55 - Bilal Coulibaly and Will Riley breakdowns43:22 - The Wizards’ biggest need...

Dan is joined by Jason Patt (@bullsjay) of the Cash Considerations podcast to break down the 2026-27 Chicago Bulls! SUBSCRIBE TO CASH CONSIDERATIONS ON YOUTUBE HERE: https://www.youtube.com/c/cashconsiderationspodcast. TIMESTAMPS ⤵️0:00 - INTRO1:35 - Direction under Bryson Graham7:55 - The Tiago Splitter hire11:05 - How will the Bulls develop Caleb Wilson?16:55 - The Matas Buzelis-Caleb Wilson dynamic24:37 - Josh Giddey’s shooting development34:47 - Can Leonard Miller stick?36:57 - Is Noa Essengue done?40:46 - Already time for Dailyn Swain concern?45:16 - The Rob Dillingham experience50:32 - Bulls’...