

NBA Contender Tiers with Matt Moore
Jul 2, 2025
Matt Moore, an NBA writer for the Action Network and host of the Locked On NBA podcasts, dives deep into the future of NBA teams after free agency. He rates the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets, discussing their championship potential and strategic changes. The conversation takes intriguing turns with potential LeBron trades and the bright future of the Spurs led by Victor Wembanyama. Moore also assesses the playoff readiness of teams like the Nuggets, Bucks, and Lakers while highlighting the challenges faced by others.
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Thunder's Historic Top Tier
- The Oklahoma City Thunder deserve their own top tier after a historic season and championship win.
- Despite skepticism about a dynasty, their season's dominance is undeniable.
Houston's Smart Build Strategy
- Houston Rockets smartly centered their team around Kevin Durant and built redundancy.
- Their elite defense plus one elite scorer formula is promising for deep playoff runs.
Optimize Houston’s Lineup
- Experiment with Houston’s starting five to optimize chemistry, possibly starting Tari Eason over Dorian Finney-Smith.
- Leverage Kevin Durant’s mentorship to boost Ahmed Thompson’s defensive and offensive growth.