Locked On NBA – Daily Podcast On The National Basketball Association

Houston Rockets lock in Amen Thompson with a $208M extension, but is he truly their next superstar or just a high-level role player? The debate heats up as the Rockets’ future hangs in the balance—can Thompson, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., and Fred VanVleet power the team beyond playoff pretender status, or does their ceiling fall short of Western Conference contenders? Trade rumors, Marcus Smart’s arrival, and evolving roles raise big questions about Houston’s long-term trajectory.
Meanwhile, the LA Clippers reel from the devastating fallout of losing five first-round draft picks in a league-altering punishment. With the Kawhi Leonard-Paul George era branded a disaster, can the Clippers rebuild without core assets or are they staring down a decade in the NBA’s basement? Hosts Rylan Stiles and David Ramil dissect the ramifications, plus spotlight the NBA’s biggest boom-or-bust teams and players—including Chet Holmgren and Paolo Banchero—set to define this season’s drama.



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The NBA has hammered the Los Angeles Clippers after concluding its investigation into the team’s dealings with Kawhi Leonard. Wes Goldberg, Matt Moore and Haize react to the Clippers losing FIVE future first-round picks, a $30 million fine and Steve Ballmer’s one-year suspension. Is the punishment fair — or did Adam Silver go too far?
Then, what happens to the Clippers now? With their draft capital devastated, is this effectively the NBA’s version of the death penalty? And how does the ruling impact Kawhi Leonard and his future with the Toronto Raptors?
The guys also debate whether such a massive punishment will actually deter other NBA teams from salary-cap circumvention before reacting to Amen Thompson’s massive five-year, $208 million rookie extension.
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College football Saturdays are already packed with reasons to get excited, and this season, FanDuel is giving fans even more ways to get in on every matchup. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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Los Angeles Clippers hit with a modern-day NBA “death sentence” as cap circumvention penalties strip away five first-round picks and sideline owner Steve Ballmer for a year. Is the Clippers curse back in full force—and what future is left after losing a decade’s worth of assets for just one Western Conference Finals run?

Tony East and Nick Angstadt dissect every angle, from the severe punishment's impact on franchise direction, to Kawhi Leonard’s shockingly light $700,000 fine, and Uncle Dennis’s five-year ban. The hosts break down the ripple effects on Darius Garland, Brandon Ingram, and the Clippers’ rebuild strategies, while questioning whether Adam Silver’s harsh response sets a new precedent for the league’s richest owners. Will other NBA teams dare risk similar violations, or does this hammer drop signal a new era of enforcement?

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FanDuel
College football Saturdays are already packed with reasons to get excited, and this season, FanDuel is giving fans even more ways to get in on every matchup. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM



FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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Which NBA team would most like an offseason do-over? Wes Goldberg, Matt Moore and Haize look back at the biggest trades, signings and draft decisions of the summer and each pick ONE move they’d erase and try again.

Then, is Chet Holmgren the biggest X-factor in the Western Conference? After Oklahoma City’s loss to San Antonio in the Western Conference Finals exposed some issues for Chet, the guys debate whether it was simply one bad matchup or evidence that Holmgren needs to evolve. What does OKC need from him to get past the Spurs and return to the NBA Finals?

Finally, it’s peak offseason content again: Wes, Matt and Haize build their Mount Rushmore of NBA coaches and executives — past or present — they’d most want to have a beer with.

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FanDuel
College football Saturdays are already packed with reasons to get excited, and this season, FanDuel is giving fans even more ways to get in on every matchup. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM



FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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Eastern Conference race wide open as Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors emerge as this season’s potential shock contenders. Could Kawhi Leonard’s return to Toronto alongside Scottie Barnes push the Raptors back into elite territory? The hosts break down why the Hawks, with new defensive stoppers like Lu Dort and scorers including CJ McCollum, might have all the ingredients for a surprise playoff run—even if top-tier star power seems in short supply.

Over in the Western Conference, Denver Nuggets look to silence doubters despite criticism of their depth, as Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray anchor a lineup hoping for a healthy Aaron Gordon and a bounce-back from Christian Braun. The Minnesota Timberwolves also make a case for a breakthrough behind Anthony Edwards and newly acquired LaMelo Ball. Plus, a spirited debate: With league parity at an all-time high, could as many as 11 Eastern teams realistically claim Finals aspirations?

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FanDuel
College football Saturdays are already packed with reasons to get excited, and this season, FanDuel is giving fans even more ways to get in on every matchup. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM



FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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