The Lowe Post

Zach and ESPN's Bobby Marks discuss what the Damian Lillard trade to Milwaukee means for the Bucks, Blazers, Suns, Heat, and Raptors. Plus, fake Jrue Holiday trades. Jrue Holiday appreciation (2:43) What the Blazers got back for Dame (7:08) Lillard's fit with Milwaukee (12:51) Potential double gut punch for Miami (23:31) Raptors sniffed around but risk was too high (32:24) Phoenix side of the deal (38:29) Fake Jrue Holiday trades (46:42) The Knicks should really consider making a play for Holiday (57:43) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach talks to Austin Reaves about his unlikely journey and all things Lakers, then DNVR's Adam Mares joins to preview the defending champion Denver Nuggets -- plus a brief Dame aside. Team USA experience (:58) Did you think you were going to be on the Spurs? (3:43) Taylor Swift dating rumors (5:36) Earning LeBron’s trust (11:42) The “I’m him!” game (14:36) LeBron’s team workouts (25:11) Says he’s the best golfer among NBA players (29:06) Russell Westbrook being a great teammate (41:40) How Denver will replace Bruce Brown and Jeff Green (54:05) Teams can’t outscore Denver (58:49) Will Michael Malone have to stagger starters more? (1:09:24) Getting Michael Porter, Jr. more involved offensively (1:12:07) Jamal Murray should be in the All-Star conversation this year (1:17:05) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach talks to ESPN's Bobby Marks about Damian Lillard buzz, Buddy Hield trade possibilities, and the new-look Indiana Pacers. Then ESPN's Tim MacMahon joins to preview the Mavs and Jazz. Recent buzz around Dame (:28) Fake Buddy Hield trades (12:07) Pacers outlook (21:42) We were all wrong about Lauri Markkanen (34:58) Jazz outlook (41:57) How many wins? (47:30) John Collins' fit (57:57) Mavericks fit around Luka and Kyrie (1:01:10) Where do Mavs stack up in the West? (1:04:53) What would a successful season be? (1:16:11) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and ESPN's Kevin Pelton pick their most intriguing players for the upcoming NBA season, talk Dame trades, rest rules, and more. Then ESPN's Andrew Lopez joins to preview the Pelicans and Spurs.  2:10- Josh Giddey. 12:25- Giddey's FIBA play 14:00- Kristaps Porzingis' fit in Boston 20:25- Who are the favorites in the East? 21:10- Miami Heat discussion 23:00- Lamelo Ball talk 25:30 What went wrong with Lamelo last year 27:00- Kai Jones' social media brigade 33:15- Trae Young's season outlook 35:00- Tyrese Maxey's season outlook 38:00- Deandre Ayton's importance to Phoenix's sucess 40:50- Damian Lillard updates 44:00- Dame to Toronto? 49:30- Resting Policy. 51:00- Andrew Lopez joins 54:50- Injuries plaguing New Orleans 1:00:00- Latest on Zion 1:07:45- How many games will Zion play 1:11:15- Pelicans pick equity 1:19:15- Why the Pelicans aren't in the Dame sweepstakes 1:22:00- Spurs expectations after getting Wemby 1:30:30- Devin Vassell's outlook 1:35:30- Jeremy Sochan's fit on the Spurs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and ESPN's Ramona Shelburne discuss Giannis Antetokounmpo's recent comments about his future, dive into Ramona's recent story on the James Harden stalemate, preview the Golden State Warriors, and much more.  Giannis doubling down on his future possibly being elsewhere (1:27) Zach thinks Milwaukee might trade Giannis if things go horribly wrong this year (10:22) How can Milwaukee improve this season? (13:45) What teams are closely monitoring Giannis' situation (21:03) How many more titles will Steph-led Warriors win? (33:20) On a potential extension for Klay Thompson (38:28) Will CP3 start for the Warriors? (44:50) Harden vs. Daryl Morey (53:30) Trying to make sense of Harden's thinking about his contract status (1:13:13) Lakers extend Jarred Vanderbilt (1:24:30) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and ESPN's Tim MacMahon discuss Team USA's failure at the FIBA World Cup, look ahead to the 2024 Olympics, and size up the Lakers' place in the West in the wake of the Christian Wood signing. Then (58:30) Sportsnet's Blake Murphy joins to weigh in on Team Canada as well as the Raptors' outlook for the 2023-24 season. Potential new resting rules (:46) Team USA finishes 4th at the FIBA World Cup (5:03) How many of the guys on the World Cup roster will be on Olympic Roster next year? (9:12) Who are your dream 3 picks to have on the Team USA roster for the 2024 Olympics? (11:29) Do you enough the aesthetics of FIBA basketball? (16:33) Filling out the rest of the 2024 US Olympic roster (20:08) Olympics will be fun (28:54) Lakers sign Christian Wood (35:49) Where do the Lakers stack up in the West? (47:35) What did Canada's 3rd place finish at the FIBA World Cup mean? (1:00:03) What big names might join Team Canada for the 2024 Olympics (1:02:12) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's tour de force in the FIBA World Cup (1:07:02) Dillon Brooks' standout performance (1:13:09) How did RJ Barrett play? (1:18:35) Temperature check on the Raptors (1:24:03) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and ESPN's Bobby Marks get caught up on the James Harden situation, the Damian Lillard landscape, Giannis Antetokounmpo's recent comments about his time in Milwaukee, Team USA at the FIBA World Cup, and much more. Harden upset in Philly (2:58) Giannis' statement (16:02) Harden situation is more chaotic than it was with Simmons (22:25) What happened in Brooklyn with Harden? (30:28) Anything new with Dame? (38:40) The one question Zach would ask Ben Simmons (52:07) Team USA at the World Cup (54:30) Supermax candidates (1:13:50) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone go behind the scenes on the Nuggets journey to the 2023 NBA title, then ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk join to talk the Clippers at the crossroads, the James Harden situation, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach Lowe begins the podcast discussing the latest on Bronny James following his Cardiac Arrest, and Jaylen Brown's new supermax contract extension, then he bounces around the Western Conference: ESPN's Tim MacMahon joins to talk Rockets (7:16), Andrew Schlecht of The Athletic discusses what's next with the Thunder (37:01) , and finally Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic details what a quiet offseason so far means for the strange Minnesota Timberwolves. (1:03:03) 10:46- The Rockets young pieces 14:45- Jabari Smith Jr.'s emergence 26:16- Alperun Penguin's fit with team 33:15- What does Dillon Brooks bring? 39:00- OKC's plans for implementing Chet Holmgren 45:00- Who will make OKC's final roster? 52:25- Is Josh Giddey the odd man out? 1:08:52- Looking back at the Wolves postseason performance 1:13:00 Karl-Anthony Towns future with team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and Chris Herring of SI.com discuss the James Harden stand-off and the futures of the Sixers and Clippers, then pick their five most intriguing new player-team fits: Chris Paul in Golden State, Marcus Smart in Memphis, John Collins in Utah, much more. Harden ready to get uncomfortable (1:26) Sixers and Clippers haven't done much this summer (8:19) Clause in CBA could affect Harden's plans to get uncomfortable (14:09) Harden's potential fit with Clippers (22:15) How Chris Paul fits with Golden State (31:15) CP3 is coming off the bench, right? (37:13) Marcus Smart's fit with Memphis (49:55) Is Jaren Jackson, Jr.'s future at the 5? (58:32) Georges Niang in Cleveland (1:03:17) John Collins in Utah (1:10:01) Bruce Brown in Indiana (1:19:27) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach discusses Joel Embiid's recent comments about his future in Philadelphia, and talks Lakers outlook with ESPN's Dave McMenamin. Then (52:51) ESPN's Michael Schwartz -- research guru and lifelong Suns fan -- joins to talk the revamped Suns title chances.  McMenamin Embiid opening the door to leave Philly (1:05) Embiid’s playoff history (14:17) How good will the Lakers be? (20:16) LeBron is returning (24:29) We are not far off from seeing players make a million dollars per game (28:58) Anthony Davis extension looming (35:27) Starting five (40:26) Offense needs to be better (45:15) Schwartz (52:51) Air of skepticism around Suns (56:23) Should be a Top 3 offense (1:01:33) Ayton is the key to the defense (1:06:51) Starting lineup (1:13:08) Are you excited about this all-in team? Do you miss the homegrown feel of Bridges and Johnson? (1:15:34) Need more consistency from Ayton (1:17:50) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a mega-Las Vegas episode, Zach talks to Ian Begley of SNY about the Knicks offseason and outlook, crashes Larry Nance Jr. (34:20) to talk Pelicans and Zion, and then visits with the NBA's Evan Wasch (1:07:18) to discuss the new play-in tournament and the craziest ideas the league office has ever discussed. Begley No need to rush things (5:38) The big swings the Knicks could take (9:33) Knicks monitoring Embiid (16:05) Trading Obi Toppin and where we are on Randle (20:41) Immanuel Quickley extension coming (25:55) Knicks are in a good place (31:47) Nance Loves seeing the success of former Laker teammates (36:24) clapping back at media report about Zion’s work ethic (38:07) Not crazy to say that Zion is a top 5 offensive player in the league when healthy (43:04) lot of buzz around Trey Murphy (46:32) on his journeyman career (49:21) on how he traded houses with Josh Hart (54:18) stories from the cast of characters on his team as a rookie (57:15) Wasch Details of In-Season Tournament (1:09:31) Tournament nights (1:11:58) Any thought to including G League or International teams? (1:15:05) Figuring out compensation for winning team (1:18:39) Rules, gameplay, and structure questions (1:24:06) Out of the box ideas that have been discussed at the league office (1:27:58) How tanking has been disincentivized (1:31:47) How far are we going to go with automated officiating (1:35:34) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and ESPN's Kevin Pelton discuss Victor Wembanyama's summer league play, the new in-season tournament, the latest on Damian Lillard and James Harden, Pascal Siakam rumors, the Cavs and Bucks off-seasons and futures, much more. Wembanyama's summer league performance (1:36) Wemby will thrive as a helpside defender just like Robert Williams (6:08) Have not seen anything to counter the hype (8:29) Spurs outlook for the season (11:33) Details of NBA's new in-season tournament (17:49) Will be a lot easier to follow than previously thought (24:46) The Zach Lowe Cup (27:43) Weighing in on the Cavs' off-season (33:15) State of the Bucks (40:56) Latest on Dame (48:54) Noise around Pascal Siakam (1:01:17) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and ESPN's Tim Bontemps discuss the Celtics offseason, the Mavericks acquisition of Grant Williams and the overall outlook in the Dallas, the Hawks extending Dejounte Murray, the early hierarchy in both conferences, and all the noise around Damian Lillard's trade request.  LaMelo Ball extension (1:43) Grant Williams Trade (5:58) Where this leaves the Celtics (6:57) Celtics needed a stylistic jolt (13:46) Celtics are now missing a personality (21:24) Mavericks off-season getting a lot of kudos (27:13) Will Mavs even make the playoffs? (31:22) Dejounte Murray extension (41:03) How Atlanta stacks up in the East (44:38) Bet on Hawks (50:57) The latest in the Dame discourse (53:20) How Philly can get involved (1:06:07) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and John Hollinger of The Athletic outline the Damian Lillard trade landscape in Miami and beyond, the James Harden situation, winners and losers in free agency, and much more.  (2:45) Zach and Hollinger discuss a Dame trade to Miami (10:55) Trade ideas for Dame outside of Miami (11:00)- Dame to Clippers ideas (14:00)- Dame to San Antonio ideas (18:25) - Dame to Boston ideas (31:15)- Dame to the Sixers (44:00) Dame to the Nets (47:20) Dame to the Knicks (39:55) James Harden discussion (59:50) Offseason Winners and Losers 55:00 (Dallas Mavericks) (1:00:00) Sacramento Kings (1:06:00) Los Angeles Lakers (1:08:30) Indiana Pacers (1:12:45) Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors (1:22:45) Cleveland Cavs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and ESPN's Bobby Marks discuss the potential landing spots for Damian Lillard, possible trades for James Harden, and react to the free agent deals that have been announced. Kyrie's deal in Dallas (4:18) Harden trade winds (7:28) Jerami Grant's deal could look fine in 5 years (9:31) Taking stock of the West (11:18) Lakers are winners of free agency so far (15:57) Clippers need Harden to compete in improved West (17:35) Clippers' potential offer (22:29) Dame to Philly? (26:09) Harden's potential fit with Clippers (28:54) Knicks interest in Harden (30:04) Dame has requested a trade (35:28) Dame has a de facto no trade (42:55) Can't rule Celtics out (44:50) Miami's best offer (48:07) The Dame era in Portland was a success (52:41) Portland should ask Miami to take back Nurkic (55:31) What is Toronto doing? (58:10) Brook Lopez suitors (1:01:14) Mavericks haul so far (1:02:20) Dame has respect for San Antonio (1:06:31) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach and ESPN's Nick Friedell talk about the direction of the Chicago Bulls in the wake of the Nikola Vucevic extension, react to news that Kyrie Irving may meet with the Suns, and talk more NBA free agency.  :35- Vucevic Extension 14:11: How Lonzo's injury changed the team 21:50 Zach Lavine Discussion 29:50 Zach Lavine trade ideas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach Lowe and Howard Beck discuss the Damian Lillard situation, preview free agency, and pick their 5 Most Intriguing offseason teams. Dame situation (1:09) 3 paths for Blazers (5:51) No easy outs in the West next year (9:58) Stop telling Dame what he should do (12:56) Blazers appear to be in philosophical limbo (16:47) Looking back at the CJ McCollum trade (23:18) Teams that could realistically make a deal for Dame (25:38) Intriguing off-season teams (32:50) Kings (33:43) Nets (43:01) Mavs (47:38) Suns (49:13) Bulls (53:05) Clippers (59:29) Raptors (1:05:07) Magic (1:08:40) John Collins trade (1:13:26) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach recaps the NBA draft with ESPN's Kirk Goldsberry and Jeremy Woo: what happened at Nos. 2 and 3; Damian Lillard's future; Boston trading Marcus Smart for Kristaps Porzingis; Golden State acquiring Chris Paul; the Mavs moves; what the Kings might be up to with their cap space; other winners and losers from draft day, and more.  Charlotte taking Miller at 2 (2:30) Portland's future (4:08) Clippers considering their options (16:30) Celtics trading Marcus Smart (21:24) Porzingis' fit in Boston (27:20) Wizards' return (33:33) Grizzlies with Marcus Smart (34:55) Wizards taking biggest swing of the draft? (38:08) Chris Paul to the Warriors (45:30) What's going on in Sacramento? (58:20) The draft haul for the Mavs (1:01:28) Kings' cap space (1:05:08) What did the Magic get at 6 and 11 (1:15:20) Picks that Jeremy loves (1:17:40) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach talks to ESPN's Jonathan Givony about the latest intel they're hearing leading up to the draft. What will Portland do with the #3 pick? Is Zion Williamson really on the trade market? Plus, the buzz around the Clippers, Mavericks, Hawks, Raptors, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices