Hardwood Knocks

With the NBA now more than one-quarter of the way through the regular season, it's a good time to reassess the best contracts signed in free agency. So, um, let's do that. For this monster undertaking, Hardwood Knocks enlists the help of Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes (@gt_hughes). He and Dan go through what they now believe are the most team-friendly deals signed over the offseason while separating them into tiers. They cover everyone from superstars like Kemba Walker, Jimmy Butler and Kawhi Leonard, to lesser-heralded signings like Terence Davis, JaMychal Green and so many more. Blue Wire thanks our partners this week, Indo Chino, Harry's and ShipStation. Enter enter promo code "BLUEWIRE" when checking out at Indo Chino for $30 offer your order of $399 or more; go to Harrys.com/bluewire to redeem your trial set today; and enter promo code "BLUE" at ShipStation.com to begin your 60-day free trial! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Net

In their latest Western Conference mailbag, Hardwood Knocks tackles some tantalizing big-picture questions: What's DeMar DeRozan's trade value? Will the Spurs move him? Are the Mavericks contenders? Is Russell Westbrook on the decline? What's wrong with Nikola Jokic? And how about the Utah Jazz's offense? Would the Warriors consider dealing Draymond Green? Is Karl-Anthony Towns now the NBA's best center? All this and more awaits you. Listen now! Blue Wire thanks our partners this week, Indo Chino, Harry's and ShipStation. Enter enter promo code "BLUEWIRE" when checking out at Indo Chino for $30 offer your order of $399 or more; go to Harrys.com/bluewire to redeem your trial set today; and enter promo code "BLUE" at ShipStation.com to begin your 60-day free trial! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

Hardwood Knocks still hates your name...but not really! In Part 2 of the "We Hate Your Team" series, Hardwood Knocks discusses their biggest long-term concern for every Eastern Conference squad. If you missed Part 1, when we tackled the Western Conference, be sure to check that out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

THIS JUST IN: Hardwood Knocks hates your team! Okay, not really. Our "We Hate Your Team" series is more about identifying our biggest concern for every NBA squad thus far. We begin with our most pressing red flags for each Western Conference franchise. There will be a "We Love Your Team!" series in due time, but for now, our villain caps are on. Blue Wire thanks our partner this week, UNTUCKit. Go to UNTUCKit.com and enter promo code "BLUE" for 20% off at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

Andy and Dan break down the implications of the Blazers signing Carmelo Anthony and then dive into the impact of all the latest NBA injury reports. After that, it's on to a MAILBAG that takes us through Luka Doncic's MVP case, the Phoenix Suns' rise, the Toronto Raptors' survival, Andrew Wiggins, Darius Garland and Collin Sexton's synergy in Cleveland, James Harden's free-throw attempts and so much more! Blue Wire thanks our partners this week, Indo Chino, Harry's and Roman. Enter enter promo code "BLUEWIRE" when checking out at Indo Chino for $30 offer your order of $399 or more; go to Harrys.com/bluewire to redeem your trial set today; and visit roman.com/bluewire to get a free online visit and free two-day shipping. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

The Ringer's Haley O'Shaughnessy (@HaleyOSomething) stops by Hardwood Knocks to talk pleasant surprises; disappointments; the early postseason battle between the Suns, Timberwolves, Mavericks, Blazers, Thunder and Spurs. Then, it's time for an extended round of Buy or Sell: Will the Knicks fire David Fizdale? Are the Nuggets title contenders? Will the Hawks make the playoffs? Is Brandon Ingram for real? Is Pascal Siakam an MVP candidate? Are the Warriors sympathetic figures? Will there be a star trade? Blue Wire thanks our partners this week, Indo Chino, Harry's and Roman. Enter enter promo code "BLUEWIRE" when checking out at Indo Chino for $30 offer your order of $399 or more; go to Harrys.com/bluewire to redeem your trial set today; and visit roman.com/bluewire to get a free online visit and free two-day shipping. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://

Hardwood Knocks welcomes The Athletic's Seth Partnow (@SethPartnow) for one doozy of a podcast. Dan questions Seth, the former Director of Basketball Research for the Milwaukee Bucks, about a number of topics, including how front offices gauge potential fits for free-agent and trade targets; the best way to evaluate different lineup combinations; the misconception about the mid-range jumper; the Phoenix Suns' hot start, discouraging returns from the Chicago Bulls and New Orleans Pelicans and much more! Blue Wire thanks our partners this week, UNTUCKit and Manscaped. Go to UNTUCKit.com and enter promo code "BLUE" for 20% off at checkout, and visit Manscaped.com to get free shipping and 20% off with promo code "BLUEWIRE." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

Andy and Dan discuss what Stephen Curry's injury means for the Warriors' future. Should they trade Draymond Green? D'Angelo Russell? Are they doomed? They also break down the fallout from the Joel Embiid-Karl-Anthony Towns kerfuffle and analyze the recent coverage of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. After that, it's MAIL TIME, with listener questions that cover the Nuggets, Suns, Kings, Bulls, Pascal Siakam and the 2019 rookie class. Blue Wire thanks our partners this week, Harry's and ShipStation. Go to Harrys.com/bluewire to redeem your trial set today, and enter promo code "BLUE" at ShipStation.com to begin your 60-day free trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

Dan is joined by Bleacher Report's and NBA Math's Adam Fromal (@fromal09) to evaluate every single rookie extension from Ben Simmons all the way down to Taurean Prince. Once they do that, they make predictions for the soon-to-be restricted free agents who didn't sign extensions. There may also be some Jimmy Butler and Myles Turner talk in here, too. Blue Wire thanks our partners this week, Harry's and ShipStation. Go to Harrys.com/bluewire to redeem your trial set today, and enter promo code "BLUE" at ShipStation.com to begin your 60-day free trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

Hardwood Knocks makes their start-of-season picks for the NBA's major year-end awards. Come join us as we agonize over who to choose for MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Executive of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player. PLUS! We also predict which coach will be the first to get fired. Blue Wire thanks our partners for this week, Axios & and Indo Chino. Sign up to Axios' sports newsletter at sports.Axios.com, and enter promo code "BLUEWIRE" when checking out at Indo Chino for $30 offer your order of $399 or more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

On the opening day of the 2019-20 regular season, Andy and Dan break down the Pelicans outlook following Zion Williamson's meniscus surgery, as well as the Rockets' outlook while they seek to juggle the James Harden-Russell Westbrook dynamic. After that, it's on to 2020 playoff and Finals predictions. Blue Wire thanks our partners for this week, Axios & and Indo Chino. Sign up to Axios' sports newsletter at sports.Axios.com, and enter promo code "BLUEWIRE" when checking out at Indo Chino for $30 offer your order of $399 or more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

After a breaking down the news that Zion Williamson will miss time with a knee injury, Dan is joined by Paul Garcias (@PaulGarciaNBA) of Project Spurs for a deep dive into—you guessed it—the San Antonio Spurs. Then Mavs.com's Isaac Harris (@IsaacLHarris) comes on to thoroughly rap about—you guessed it—the Dallas Mavericks' future. Finally, Dan goes long on the Memphis Grizzlies with Keith Parish (@fastbreakbreak) of the Fastbreak Breakfast podcast. Blue Wire thanks our partners for this week, Shipstation & Roman. Try Shipstation free for 60 days by going to shipstation.com and entering promo code Blue and go to roman.com/bluewire to get a free online visit & free two day shipping. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

Hardwood Knocks breaks down the impact of Bradley Beal signing an extension with the Washington Wizards and then predicts over/under on win totals for EVERY EASTERN CONFERENCE team. Before all that, though, Dan addresses LeBron James' comments about what happened in China. Blue Wire thanks our partners for this week, Shipstation & Roman. Try Shipstation free for 60 days by going to shipstation.com and entering promo code Blue and go to roman.com/bluewire to get a free online visit & free two day shipping. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

Early Bird Rights founder Jeff Siegel (@jgsiegel) is back for a deep dive into the outlooks of the Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets and Orlando Magic. Along with Dan, he discusses each team's long-term trajectories, best prospects, top breakout options, trade candidates, record projections, bold predictions and so much more! Follow Early Bird Rights on Twitter (@EarlyBirdRights). Blue Wire thanks our partners for this week, Shipstation & Roman. Try Shipstation free for 60 days by going to shipstation.com and entering promo code Blue and go to roman.com/bluewire to get a free online visit & free two day shipping. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

Dan is joined by Early Bird Rights founder Jeff Siegel (@jgsiegel) for a deep dive into the outlooks of the Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards. They talk about Trae Young's development, John Collins' defense, DeAndre Hunter at point guard, Bradley Beal's future in Washington, the Wizards' best non-Rui Hachimura prospects, bold predictions, trade candidates and so much more. Follow Early Bird Rights on Twitter (@EarlyBirdRights). Blue Wire thanks our partners for this week, Shipstation & Roman. Try Shipstation free for 60 days by going to shipstation.com and entering promo code Blue and go to roman.com/bluewire to get a free online visit and free two day shipping. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

Andy and Dan predict the over/under win totals for all 15 of the Western Conference teams. Pelicans fans are free to thank Andy. Spurs fans can send their thanks to Dan. For the sports bettors out there, they also talk about the confidence level of their picks, just in case you feel like wagering your life savings on their whims. Thanks to our partners ShipStation and Roman. Sign-up at ShipStation.com and use promo code "BLUE" for a free 60-day trial. Visit GetRoman.com/BlueWire for a FREE online visit, plus FREE two-day shipping. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

In Part 2 of their deep dive into the Northwest Division, Andy and Dan break down the 2019-20 outlooks for the Timberwolves, Blazers and Nuggets. Is this the year Andrew Wiggins pops? Will Portland make a blockbuster trade? Are the Nuggets the best team in the West? Did Dan REALLY suggest the Nuggets trade for Chris Paul? All this, and more, is ready for your listening pleasure. If you haven't checked out Hardwood Knocks' other season-preview pods, change that immediately: The Knicks, Nets, Sixers, Celtics, Raptors, Cavaliers, Bulls, Pistons, Pacers, Bucks, Suns, Kings, Lakers, Clippers, Warriors, Jazz and Thunder are all set. You can listen to them here. Thanks to our partners Axios and Harrys. Sign-up at Sports.Axios.com for your daily newsletter and Harrys.com/bluewire for a free trial on a delivery razor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spr

Andy and Dan discuss what's happening in Houston with Daryl Morey, Tilman Fertitta and the NBA before breaking down Kyle Lowry's one-year extension with the Raptors. After that, they stage deep dives into the regular-season outlooks of the Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder. Thanks to our partners Axios and Harrys. Sign-up at Sports.Axios.com for your daily newsletter and Harrys.com/bluewire for a free trial on a delivery razor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

In Part 2 of our Central Division shindig, Lazarus Jackson from Blue Wire's Pistons vs Everybody podcast is back to cannonball into outlooks for the Pistons, Pacers and Bucks. Does Detroit have a surprise trade in store for us? Is there hope in Indiana for the Myles Turner-Domantas Sabonis pairing? Is Milwaukee preparing to regress without Malcolm Brogdon? We're going deep on all three teams. Please join us. And if you haven't checked out Part 1 of our Central Division outlook featuring the Cavaliers and Bulls, well, do that now! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement

Central Division Preview SZN has arrived! In Part 1 of Hardwood Knocks' Central Division preview, Lazarus Jackson from Detroit Bad Boys and Blue Wire's Pistons vs. Everyone podcast joins Dan for deep dives on the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls. They're tackling the the biggest roster questions, rotation issues, prospect developments, trade candidates, play styles and so much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2916956/advertisement