Hardwood Knocks: An NBA Podcast

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Charlotte Hornets 2026-27 NBA Season Lookahead Sep 08, 2026

Show notes

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 - INTRO
0:56 - The LaMelo Ball trade
14:00 - Who are the Hornets betting on?
16:15 - Can Kon Knueppel do more on-ball?
19:26 - The complicated development of Brandon Miller
24:57 - Can Coby White run the offense?
27:00 - Do the Hornets have enough playmakers?
30:02 - Naz Reid’s role
33:35 - Early impressions of Hannes Steinbach
36:27 - Charles Lee has decisions to make in the frontcourt
38:17 - Importance of Liam McNeeley and Sion James
41:27 - Cutting down the roster
43:28 - Stylistic changes on offense
45:12 - The future of Moussa Diabate
46:15 - Biggest needs
49:50 - Playmaking concerns are overrated?
50:42 - Top-10 rotation
52:24 - Go-to closing lineup
53:34 - Weirdo lineups we want to see
55:13 - Is Charles Lee underappreciated?
56:20 - PREDICTIONS
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2026 NBA Offseason Grades | Bulls, Cavaliers, Pistons, Pacers And Bucks Sep 05, 2026

Show notes

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 - INTRO
1:12 - Grading process
5:04 - Chicago Bulls
12:31 - Cleveland Cavaliers
25:25 - Detroit Pistons
40:02 - Indiana Pacers
46:06 - Milwaukee Bucks
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The NBA Actually Dropped THE HAMMER On Steve Ballmer And The Clippers Sep 04, 2026

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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 - INTRO
2:02 - Is the Clippers’ punishment surprising?
6:57 - Did Kawhi Leonard deserve a harsher punishment?
11:27 - The Clippers’ argument came back to bite them
18:28 - The Clippers’ letter to Adam Silver
27:35 - Long-term ramifications for other NBA teams
31:53 - People were wrong about Pablo Torre
35:43 - Will the Kawhi trade now go through?
37:04 - What happened with the ESPN report?
39:42 - Where do the Clippers go from here?
43:14 - Kawhi Leonard’s legacy
47:03 - There’s more to come
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Orlando Magic 2026-27 NBA Season Lookahead Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

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 - INTRO
3:42 - The Magic’s offseason approach
10:08 - Sean Sweeney’s offensive system
14:21 - What went wrong defensively last year?
18:22 - Orlando’s defensive approach
21:59 - Can the Magic make life easier on Paolo Banchero?
30:13 - Will Jalen Suggs’ role change?
35:24 - Paolo Banchero’s leadership
39:17 - Franz Wagner taking on more offensive initiation
46:02 - Reworking Desmond Bane’s shot diet
47:37 - Is Wendell Carter Jr. the right center for this time?
53:21 - Anthony Black vs. Jalen Suggs
55:30 - Are the Magic deep enough?
59:47 - Noah Penda’s development
1:01:16 - Challenges for Jase Richardson
1:02:44 - Izaiyah Nelson breakdown
1:04:54 - Biggest needs
1:08:01 - Recalibrating Orlando’s expectations
1:15:03 - Top-10 rotation
1:16:08 - Go-to crunch-time lineup
1:17:10 - Weirdo lineups we want to see
1:18:50 - PREDICTIONS!
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Dan's Twitter: @danfavale
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Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes
BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️
hardwoodknocks@gmail.com

Washington Wizards 2026-27 NBA Season Lookahead Aug 29, 2026

Show notes

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 - INTRO
1:55 - What do we make of the Wizards’ direction?
8:15 - The impact of Trae Young
16:26 - The Alex Sarr-Anthony Davis fit
21:58 - AJ Dybantsa’s role
28:43 - Kyshawn George’s next frontier
34:44 - Tre Johnson and Bub Carrington breakdowns
39:55 - Bilal Coulibaly and Will Riley breakdowns
43:22 - The Wizards’ biggest needs
45:32 - Underrated strengths
48:21 - The top-10 rotation + Brian Keefe’s job security
51:37 - Best closing lineup
53:42 - Weirdo lineups we want to see
55:07 - The value of Deandre Ayton
56:36 - Predictions!
SUPPORT US ON PATREON 🫶
SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️
TikTok: @hardwoodknocks
Twitter @HardwoodKnocks
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Dan's Bluesky: @danfavale
Dan's Twitter: @danfavale
Dan's IG: @danfavale
Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes
BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️
hardwoodknocks@gmail.com

Chicago Bulls 2026-27 NBA Season Lookahead Aug 27, 2026

Show notes

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 - INTRO
1:35 - Direction under Bryson Graham
7:55 - The Tiago Splitter hire
11:05 - How will the Bulls develop Caleb Wilson?
16:55 - The Matas Buzelis-Caleb Wilson dynamic
24:37 - Josh Giddey’s shooting development
34:47 - Can Leonard Miller stick?
36:57 - Is Noa Essengue done?
40:46 - Already time for Dailyn Swain concern?
45:16 - The Rob Dillingham experience
50:32 - Bulls’ biggest needs
56:52 - The value of Tre Jones and Jalen Smith
1:00:33 - Top-10 rotation
1:02:23 - Go-to closing lineup
1:04:17 - Weirdo lineups we want to see
1:05:13 - Other coaching additions
1:06:18 - PREDICTIONS!
SUPPORT US ON PATREON 🫶
SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH
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FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️
TikTok: @hardwoodknocks
Twitter @HardwoodKnocks
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Dan's Bluesky: @danfavale
Dan's Twitter: @danfavale
Dan's IG: @danfavale
Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes
BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️
hardwoodknocks@gmail.com

Los Angeles Lakers 2026-27 NBA Season Lookahead Aug 25, 2026

Show notes

Dan is joined by Jabari A Davis (@jabariadavis) from iHeart to break down the 2026-27 Los Angeles Lakers! TIMESTAMPS⤵️
0:00 - INTRO
0:57 - The Lakers’ offseason vision
3:08 - LeBron James’ exit
7:52 - Will the Lakers even miss LeBron?
9:21 - How do the Lakers intend to play?
13:24 - Walker Kessler’s fit
21:39 - The Jonathan Kuminga discussion
26:52 - The most important non-Kessler additions
29:12 - Fifth starter and backup bigs
35:09 - Trade targets to monitor
38:44 - Early impressions of Cameron Carr
43:04 - Breaking down Adou Thiero, Arthur Kaluma and Bronny James
49:52 - Which youngsters have the best shot at playing?
51:34 - Evaluating the Lakers’ depth
54:26 - Biggest remaining needs
56:04 - Is Luka Doncic flying under the radar?
59:33 - Top-10 rotation
1:02:28 - Go-to closing lineup
1:04:05 - Weirdo lineups we want to see
1:06:09 - Impact of the Lakers’ ownership battle
1:09:32 - PREDICTIONS!
SUPPORT US ON PATREON 🫶
SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH
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FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️
TikTok: @hardwoodknocks
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Dan's Bluesky: @danfavale
Dan's Twitter: @danfavale
Dan's IG: @danfavale
Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes
BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️
hardwoodknocks@gmail.com

Milwaukee Bucks 2026-27 NBA Season Lookahead Aug 22, 2026

Show notes

Dan is joined by Ti Windisch (@TiWindisch) of Gyro Step podcast to break down the 2026-27 Milwaukee Bucks! SUBSCRIBE TO THE GYRO STEP HERE: https://www.youtube.com/@GyroStepPodcast. TIMESTAMPS⤵️
0:00 - INTRO
1:46 - The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade return
9:45 - Milwaukee’s rebuilding timeline
14:16 - The Gary Trent Jr. situation
17:25 - How will they play under Taylor Jenkins?
19:30 - Who will the Bucks cut off the roster?
22:46 - The future of Tyler Herro
26:48 - Ryan Rollins’ next frontier
32:43 - Early impressions of Brayden Burries
37:41 - How will the Bucks use Kel’el Ware?
44:21 - Development of Nate Ament
47:23 - Jaime Jaquez Jr.’s role
49:15 - Ousmane Dieng breakdown
51:17 - The fit of Kasparas Jakucionis
53:37 - Breaking down Bogoljub Marković
55:11 - Milwaukee’s biggest needs
56:22 - Who’s flying under the radar?
58:59 - Top-10 rotation
1:00:37 - Go-to closing lineup
1:01:28 - Weirdo lineups we want to see
1:03:16 - Predictions!
SUPPORT US ON PATREON 🫶
SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️
TikTok: @hardwoodknocks
Twitter @HardwoodKnocks
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Dan's Bluesky: @danfavale
Dan's Twitter: @danfavale
Dan's IG: @danfavale
Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes
BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️
hardwoodknocks@gmail.com

Peyton Watson Trade Reaction | Are The Nuggets Finished? | The Cavs' Last Stand | NBA 2K27 Trivia! Aug 21, 2026

Show notes

Dan and Grant break down to the Denver Nuggets signing and trading Peyton Watson to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the impact it has on ALL parties. After that, they gather 'round the STAT PADDING camp fire for an NBA 2K27-themed exercise. TIMESTAMPS⤵️
0:00 - Intro + Trade details
1:47 - What are the Denver Nuggets doing?
22:23 - Impact on the Cleveland Cavaliers
30:26 - What's next for the Clippers?
35:18 - STAT PADDING
SUPPORT US ON PATREON 🫶
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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⬇️
hardwoodknocks@gmail.com

Re-Grading The 2025 NBA Offseason | Warriors, Clippers, Lakers, Suns And Kings Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

Dan and Grant play re-grade the 2025 NBA offseason for the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings.TIMESTAMPS⤵️
0:00 - INTRO
2:53 - Re-Grade criteria
4:19 - Golden State Warriors
10:57 - Los Angeles Clippers
21:26 - Los Angeles Lakers
36:18 - Phoenix Suns
45:00 - Sacramento Kings
SUPPORT US ON PATREON 🫶
SUPPORT THE SHOW BY PURCHASING HARDWOOD KNOCKS MERCH
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FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL⬇️
TikTok: @hardwoodknocks
Twitter @HardwoodKnocks
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Dan's Bluesky: @danfavale
Dan's Twitter: @danfavale
Dan's IG: @danfavale
Grant's Bluesky: @granthughes
BUSINESS INQUIRES⬇️
hardwoodknocks@gmail.com

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