Hang Up | The LeBron and Giannis Loyalty Test

Hosts Alex Kirshner, Ben Lindbergh, and Lindsay Gibbs break down an unexpectedly quiet start to NBA free agency while big trade rumors keep swirling. They dig into fresh betting scandals rattling baseball and basketball, including Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz. And they debate whether the WNBA’s ambitious expansion plans are moving too fast for the league’s own good.

Plus, Alex has an Afterball about the remarkable mismanagement of the Washington Nationals.

On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the panel talks F1 domination on the track and on the screen.

NBA Free Agency (3:19): Could LeBron move on at age 40?

Sports Betting (20:07): Did Luis Ortiz engage in micro betting?

WNBA Expansion (39:10): Too fast, too soon?

Afterballs (57:26): The Nats fired their GM days before the MLB Draft.

(Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad-free.)

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You can email us at hangup@slate.com.

Podcast production and editing by Kevin Bendis, with production assistance from Patrick Fort.

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