Hardwood Knocks: An NBA Podcast

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It's NBA Awards Check-In Time Dec 12, 2025

Show notes

Dan and Grant go through their awards ballot a little more than one-quarter of the way through the NBA season, with a focus on one big-time question: Is the MVP race already over? TIMESTAMPS⤵️
0:00 - INTRO
3:09 - MVP
9:59 - Who’s easier to build around: SGA or Jokic?
20:36 - Defensive Player of the Year
30:29 - Should the NBA change the awards rules?
33:41 - Rookie of the Year
40:35 - Most Improved Player
55:02 -Sixth Man of the Year
1:03:42 - Coach of the Year
1:14:23 - Executive of the Year
1:21:58 - STAT PADDING
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Questions For Every Eastern Conference Team Entering NBA Trade Season Dec 10, 2025

Show notes

Dan is joined by Mort Jensen (@msjnba) of The NBA Podcast to go back and forth on questions they have for every NBA team as we near the official start of NBA trade season on December 15. First up: The Eastern Conference! TIMESTAMPS⤵️
0:00 - INTRO
2:01 - Detroit Pistons
15:30 - New York Knicks
28:24 - Boston Celtics
40:54 - Toronto Raptors
52:00 - Orlando Magic
1:04:40 - Miami Heat
1:14:44 - Philadelphia 76ers
1:25:22 - Cleveland Cavaliers
1:33:43 - Atlanta Hawks
1:44:37 - Milwaukee Bucks
1:54:23 - Chicago Bulls
1:58:31 - Charlotte Hornets
2:05:31 - Brooklyn Nets
2:11:59 - Indiana Pacers
2:21:49 - Washington Wizards
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Will The Giannis Antetokounmpo Sweepstakes Change The NBA's Star-Trade Market? Dec 06, 2025

Show notes

Dan and Grant break down the latest in the Giannis Antetokounmpo rumor mill and then spend time talking about whether the NBA's superstar-trade market will change. After that, they get into potential Giannis packages. Finally, they welcome on Hardwood Knocks' new video editor, Andrew Willet (@theacwillett22). TIMESTAMPS⤵️
0:00 - INTRO
2:58 - Latest Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors
4:07 - Why is Giannis doing this now?
11:57 - Can the Bucks salvage the Giannis situation?
23:29 - Should NBA teams still go all-in on star trades?
52:43 - Giannis to the New York Knicks
54:22 - Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Atlanta Hawks
1:00:35 - Giannis to the San Antonio Spurs
1:08:02 - Giannis to the OKC Thunder
1:10:23 - Giannis to the Golden State Warriors
1:13:11 - Giannis to the Houston Rockets
1:16:32 - Giannis to the Lakers
1:17:22 - Giannis to the Miami Heat
1:20:07 - Giannis to the Detroit Pistons
1:21:42 - Giannis to the Indiana Pacers
1:23:40 - Giannis to the Toronto Raptors
1:25:29 - Giannis to the Memphis Grizzlies
1:27:00 - Giannis to the Cleveland Cavaliers
1:28:48 - Giannis to the Orlando Magic
1:31:36 - STAT PADDING WITH ANDREW WILLETT
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Should The NBA's Biggest Disappointment Blow It Up? Dec 04, 2025

Show notes

Dan and Grant are choppering in to discuss the state of the Los Angeles Clippers and talk about some trade scenarios—including one that could net them back some of their own first-round picks. They'll also be digging into the latest Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors. TIMESTAMPS⤵️
0:00 - INTRO
1:37 - Why the Clippers sent Chris Paul home
9:14 - Trades to get the Clippers their picks back
26:36 - James Harden to the Minnesota Timberwolves
35:06 - James Harden to the Golden State Warriors
37:22 - James Harden to the Atlanta Hawks
41:12 - James Harden to the Phoenix Suns
44:01 - James Harden to the Detroit Pistons
48:42 - James Harden to the Memphis Grizzlies
53:31 - Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors
57:46 - James to the Milwaukee Bucks
1:02:06 - Kawhi Leonard to the Milwaukee Bucks
1:07:03 - Kawhi Leonard to the Minnesota Timberwolves
1:11:51 - Kawhi Leonard to the Sacramento Kings
1:17:03 - Kawhi Leonard to the Philadelphia 76ers
1:22:55 - So...What should the Clippers do?
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BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️
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Ultimate NBA 5-Year Re-Draft Using 2020 Through 2024 Classes Dec 02, 2025

Show notes

Dan and Grant are joined by Bleacher Report's Bryant Toporek (@btoporek) and Jay Dunbar (@jaydunbar) to break down their ULTIMATE 5-YEAR NBA RE-DRAFT project. Bryant Knox (@bryantknox) also participated, but was unable to attend. We go through the 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 NBA draft classes and select players as if we're starting a franchise FROM SCRATCH. There is an obvious No. 1, but the likes of Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Alperen Sengun, Tyrese Haliburton, Evan Mobley, Tyrese Maxey, Scottie Barnes, Paolo Banchero, Amen Thompson, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Johnson and MORE made this an absurdly tough (and interesting!) exercise. TIMESTAMPS⤵️
0:00 - INTRO and CRITERIA
3:12 - Detroit Pistons: Victor Wembanyama
4:50 - Washington Wizards: Cade Cunningham
6:59 - Charlotte Hornets: Tyrese Haliburton
8:55 - San Antonio Spurs: Anthony Edwards
11:52 - Houston Rockets: Evan Mobley
15:01 - Portland Trail Blazers: Tyrese Maxey
17:08 - Orlando Magic: Alperen Sengun
21:09 - Toronto Raptors: Jalen Williams
24:00 - New Orleans Pelicans: Chet Holmgren
26:46 - Utah Jazz: Amen Thompson
30:16 - Indiana Pacers: Jalen Johnson
31:46 - Sacramento Kings: Paolo Banchero
39:36 - Brooklyn Nets: Scottie Barnes
41:27 - Chicago Bulls: Franz Wagner
43:26 - Atlanta Hawks: Austin Reaves
46:41 - Oklahoma City Thunder: Desmond Bane
48:56 - Los Angeles Lakers: LaMelo Ball
54:17 - Minnesota Timberwolves: Jalen Duren
55:54 - Miami Heat: Deni Avdija
57:50 - Memphis Grizzlies: Josh Giddey
1:02:16 - Dallas Mavericks: Trey Murphy
1:04:54 - Philadelphia 76ers: Reed Sheppard
1:07:11 - New York Knicks: Jalen Suggs
1:09:09 - Cleveland Cavaliers: Payton Pritchard
1:10:55 - Golden State Warriors: Stephon Castle
1:14:04 - Los Angeles Clippers: Jaden McDaniels
1:16:30 - Phoenix Suns: Shaedon Sharpe
1:18:10 - Milwaukee Bucks: Alex Sarr
1:19:53 - Denver Nuggets: Jabari Smith Jr.
1:20:59 - Boston Celtics: Onyeka Okongwu
1:23:11 - Re-Draft SNUBS
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Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes
BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️
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2025 NBA Western Conference Rookie Report Nov 28, 2025

Show notes

Dan is joined by Mort Jensen of 'The NBA Podcast' to break down Western Conference NBA rookie performances so far, including Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, Dylan Harper, Kobe Sanders, Cedric Coward and MANY MORE! TIMESTAMPS⤵️
0:00 - INTRO/APPROACH
6:31 - Dallas Mavericks: Cooper Flagg
15:46 - San Antonio Spurs: Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant
23:36 - New Orleans Pelicans: Derik Queen, Jeremiah Fears and Micah Peavey
44:16 - Memphis Grizzlies: Cedric Coward
58:15 - Utah Jazz: Ace Bailey and Walter Clayton Jr.
1:17:57 - Sacramento Kings: Nique Clifford
1:31:00 - Golden State Warriors: Will Richard
1:36:06 - Los Angeles Clippers: Kobe Sanders
1:38:24 - Portland Trail Blazers: Yang Hansen and Caleb Love
1:45:11 - Honorable Mentions
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BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️
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The Future of NBA Parity Depends on One Team… Nov 25, 2025

Show notes

Dan and Grant are back with another round of 'We're Just Asking Questions.' This time, we are pondering whether the Los Angeles Clippers hold the fate of the NBA's parity era in their hands because to the first-round picks they must still send to the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder. TIMESTAMPS⤵️
0:00 - INTRO
0:48 - Clippers draft obligations to the Thunder
2:10 - Will Oklahoma City's window ever close?
13:59 - Biggest short-term threats to the Thunder
27:08 - Can the Clippers turn it around?
32:42 - Re-litigating the Paul George...
35:20 - STAT PADDING
SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH
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Dan's IG: @danfavale
Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes
BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️
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Big NBA Questions We Can't Ignore Nov 22, 2025

Show notes

Dan and Grant bounce around with some burning questions they have as we wrap up the first quarter of the 2025-26 NBA season, including: Are the Toronto Raptors for Real? Who is the NBA's third best team? Are the Atlanta Hawks better off without Trae Young? And more! TIMESTAMPS⤵️
0:00 - INTRO
3:06 - Are the Atlanta Hawks better off without Trae Young?
27:45 - Just how good are the Los Angeles Lakers?
45:20 - Will Tyler Herro ruin the Miami Heat's mojo?
59:28 - Are the Toronto Raptors for real?
1:13:27 - Which NBA teams are on blow-up watch?
1:20:26 - Who is the third best team in the NBA?
1:28:38 - Which NBA contender is in the most trouble?
SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH
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Dan's Bluesky: @danfavale
Dan's Twitter: @danfavale
Dan's IG: @danfavale
Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes
BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️
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Is LaMelo Ball Running Out Of Time In Charlotte? (PLUS: WTF PELICANS?!) Nov 20, 2025

Show notes

Dan and Grant are back for another around of 'We're Just Asking Questions!' This time, we're talking LaMelo Ball's future with the Charlotte Hornets. After that, Dan is joined by Mort Jensen (@msjnba) of The NBA Podcast to discuss where the New Orleans Pelicans go after firing Willie Green. TIMESTAMPS⤵️
0:00 - INTRO
0:49 - What does LaMelo Ball mean to the Hornets?
8:32 - What is LaMelo's trade value?
19:55 - How much time does Charlotte have?
28:23 - Where do the Pelicans go from here?
SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH
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TikTok: @hardwoodknocks
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Dan's Bluesky: @danfavale
Dan's Twitter: @danfavale
Dan's IG: @danfavale
Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes
BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️
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2025 NBA Eastern Conference Rookie Report Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

Dan and Mort Jensen of 'The NBA Podcast' discuss their initial impressions of notable NBA rookies in the Eastern Conference. TIMESTAMPS⤵️
0:00 - INTRO
2:10 - Charlotte Hornets: Kon Knueppel, Ryan Kalkbrenner & Sion James
12:25 - Brooklyn Nets: Egor Demin and Drake Powell
25:24 - Toronto Raptors: Collin Murray-Boyles
26:15 - Victor Wembanyama injury update
30:11 - BACK TO COLLIN MURRAY-BOYLES
39:02 - Washington Wizards: Tre Johnson
46:17 - Philadelphia 76ers: VJ Edgecombe
59:11 - Quick Hits: Jace Richardson, Mohamed Diawara, Kasparas Jakucionis, MORE
SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH
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Dan's Bluesky: @danfavale
Dan's Twitter: @danfavale
Dan's IG: @danfavale
Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes
BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️
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