

The Kevin O'Connor Show
Yahoo Sports
Kevin O’Connor has been covering the NBA since 2013, offering film breakdowns and deep analysis along with the occasional hot take or spicy piece of advice for NBA franchises. Check out The Kevin O'Connor Show, where he’ll be giving his opinions and breaking down the biggest news in the basketball world with other analysts, insiders and NBA players in a way only the most NBA-obsessed mind could.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 23, 2025 • 1h 2min
Lakers vs. Clippers: who won the summer? + Summer League superlatives & standouts | KOC x Jack Simone x Es Baraheni
KOC and Jack Simone both grew up in Boston, so naturally both were stunned to see the Marcus Smart/Lakers news! Don't miss their reasoning for why they think it was a great move by the Lakers. Both think this move could unlock PEAK Luka Doncic -- is he primed for his 1st ever MVP season in the NBA?Then Kevin and Simone recap a wild Summer League: which rookie impressed them the most, which Year 2 player left the best mark in Vegas -- and conversely which players disappointed?Then, KOC is joined by Es Baraheni at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas to break down the performances of the league’s newest stars including Carter Bryant, Dylan Harper, Yang Hansen & more. Plus, what can we REALLY expect from the Toronto Raptors this season? (1:32) CP3 returns to Clippers(7:27) Lakers sign Marcus Smart(14:46) Summer League superlatives(38:39) Ben Simmons free agency update(44:41) Summer League recap with Es Baraheni(59:29) Expectations for Raptors this season
Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network

Jul 18, 2025 • 35min
Dame goes home, Beal's LA fit + Giannis' Bucks future with Ben Thompson & Andrew Sharp
Kevin O'Connor reacts to the stunning news that Damian Lillard chose to return to the Portland Trail Blazers. Why KOC loves the fit, and could see this working out great for Portland. PLUS Kevin says the Los Angeles Clippers are winning the offseason after adding Bradley Beal, who is a clear-cut upgrade over Norm Powell. And then KOC is joined by Andrew Sharp and Ben Thompson to discuss the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee — have the Bucks done enough? Could the Myles Turner signing backfire? And the guys deep-dive on Andrew's favorite squad, the Washington Wizards. Is there optimism in DC after landing Tre Johnson? It's all ahead!(00:25) - Damian Lillard returns to Portland(3:25) - Bradley Beal returns to LA(7:20) - Talking Bucks & Wizards with Ben Thompson & Andrew Sharp
Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network

8 snips
Jul 16, 2025 • 45min
One move away teams + Flagg, Curry, and the flawed two-timeline plan with Bobby Marks, Sam Esfandiari & Kirk Henderson
Bobby Marks, ESPN's NBA front office insider, joins to discuss the Eastern Conference landscape, focusing on contenders and teams in need of pivotal moves. Sam Esfandiari from Light Years and Kirk Henderson of Mavs Moneyball dive into Cooper Flagg's impressive summer league performance and Jonathan Kuminga's future with the Warriors. The trio even contemplates the wild idea of trading for LeBron James, weighing the complexities of roster dynamics and star player roles in today's NBA.

Jul 14, 2025 • 51min
Chris Vernon joins KOC from Las Vegas! Plus ARod & Marc Lore talk Wolves ownership
Kevin O'Connor is joined by Chris Vernon from the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Chris makes KOC defend his take that Grizzlies fans overrate Ja Morant and discuss the offseason moves Memphis made. The pair also talk about how Cedric Coward can be a star for the Grizzlies and share their initial reactions to Hugo Gonzalez and Cooper Flagg's performances in Summer League.New Timberwolves owners Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore then join The Kevin O'Connor Show to discuss their bold vision for Minnesota basketball. From empowering Tim Connelly to innovating fan experiences with “Jump,” they’re laying the groundwork for a championship culture. They open up about their long-term goals, Anthony Edwards’ development, their admiration for Rudy Gobert, and how fast, decisive leadership shapes winning franchises.(0:30) Chris Vernon joins(1:00) Is Ja Morant overrated?(19:54) First impressions of Cooper Flagg(23:41) Is NIL good for NBA?(35:48) Timberwolves owners Alex Rodriguez & Marc Lore join(44:00) How to maximize Ant's potential
Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network

Jul 11, 2025 • 43min
Cooper Flagg vs. Bronny and more Summer League takeaways + State of basketball in LA
How did Cooper Flagg fare in his NBA Summer League debut? KOC breaks down the Mavericks' matchup against the Lakers, with Dallas edging out Los Angeles 87-85. He shares more of his observations from around the league, including Herb Jones' contract extension with the New Orleans Pelicans. Then, KOC is joined by Jason Timpf from Hoops Tonight and Daman Rangoola from Stratechery to discuss the state of basketball in Los Angeles. Is LeBron James' silence towards Deandre Ayton a sign he wants out of LA? And which Western Conference team is most likely to take out the OKC Thunder in next year's playoffs?(0:26) - Biggest takeaways from day 1 of NBA Summer League(5:30) - What’s going on with Lebron and the Lakers?(23:43) - Are the Clippers or Lakers in a better position to win this season?(32:58) - Which team is best poised to come out of the West next season?
Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network

Jul 8, 2025 • 1h 3min
Where should Beal & Lillard sign? Best fits + Summer League stars to watch!
What are the best fits for the big-name free agents that are still on the market? KOC and Tom Haberstroh debate the best potential landing spots for Bradley Beal, Damian Lillard, Chris Paul and Al Horford. But first, they question who won the Clippers-Heat-Jazz trade that sent Norman Powell to Miami, John Collins to Los Angeles, and Kevin Love, Kyle Anderson and a 2027 Clippers second-round pick to Utah. They finish up the show by previewing the NBA Summer League games in Las Vegas. Who has the most to prove? And who are the guys most excited to watch?(0:49) Jazz, Clippers & Heat three-way trade(24:26) Best fits for remaining free agents(45:57) NBA introduces new ‘heave’ rule(49:15) Summer League preview
Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network

Jul 1, 2025 • 24min
Bucks waive Damian Lillard & sign Myles Turner: 7 BIGGEST NBA Offseason Moves (So Far!)
What do Milwaukee's latest moves signal for Giannis Antetokounmpo's future? KOC pontificates on the shocking news that the Bucks are waiving Damian Lillard to sign Myles Turner. Then, Kevin moves on to more of the biggest moves of the NBA offseason. Is Cam Johnson an upgrade over Michael Porter Jr. for the Denver Nuggets? And what do the Lakers' moves mean for LeBron James' future in Los Angeles?00:19 - Bucks waive Damian Lillard to sign Myles Turner07:20 - Nuggets trade MPJ for Cam Johnson09:57 - Hawks land Nickeil Alexander-Walker11:38 - Knicks sign Guerschon Yabusele13:18 - Bigs musical chairs!16:30 - What are the Lakers going to do?
Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network

Jun 30, 2025 • 33min
LeBron’s future with Jovan Buha + what KOC’s hearing & offseason things to watch for
KOC is joined by Jovan Buha, who covers the Los Angeles Lakers as well as anyone. What is next for LeBron James?? After opting in, the rumors started right away... could he actually be traded? Will a buyout option surface? Does Luka want him there 100% next season? Does LeBron want to go back to Cleveland, or would he accept a trade to a surprise team like the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors or even the Denver Nuggets? It's all on the table in this edition of the KOC Show that also hits on other free agent and trade news around the league involving the following names: James Harden, DeAndre Ayton, Lonzo Ball, Isaac Okoro, Collin Sexton, Nurk, NAW, Ty Jerome, Jabari Smith, Bobby Portis, and of course the bizarre situation involving Malik Beasley. Lock in!(00:45) - Jovan Buha on Lakers & LeBron's future(26:20) - KOC runs through news of the week: Beasley, Ball for Okoro & more
Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network

Jun 27, 2025 • 1h 9min
Draft night steals, dumbest trades, Ace Bailey’s future + Masai FIRED
KOC and Tom Haberstroh break down ALL of the fallout from the 2025 NBA Draft, including the big news that Masai Ujiri and the Toronto Raptors were parting ways. Both of the guys weigh in on the strange timing of that move. And speaking of moves, what was Joe Dumars thinking with the Pels trade-up to get Derik Queen? Tom says it must be the dumbest trade of the last DECADE! And KOC/Tom discuss Lottery winner Nico Harrison's quote about fortune favoring the bold, plus of course all of the latest talk surrounding the AWKWARD situation surrounding Ace Bailey and the Utah Jazz -- plus so much more. Lock in!(0:57) Ace Bailey Utah Jazz drama(13:24) Raptors fire Masai Ujiri(20:49) Did Pelicans make a HORRIBLE trade for Derik Queen?(29:29) KOC’s favorite draft hauls(44:19) Pacers surprise draft of Taelon Peter(49:12) NBA champs OKC draft Thomas Sorber(52:53) Teams looking to take ‘the next step’(56:53) Blazers draft Yang Hansen(1:02:03) BetMGM Rookie of the Year odds released(1:05:26) Are Mavs NBA title contenders now?
Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network

Jun 26, 2025 • 43min
2025 NBA Draft Reactions, Shockers & Perfect Picks
Kevin O'Connor recaps the 2025 NBA Draft with King McClure and Vincent Goodwill. The best picks of Round 1, the head-scratching ones and everything in between! Are the Dallas Mavericks a Finals contender with Flagg?? Did the Philadelphia 76ers get it right with Edgecombe over Ace Bailey? What were the Brooklyn Nets doing? Lock in for a full round 1 recap on the KOC Show!(00:45) - Most intriguing draft so far?(10:25) - Biggest surprise of the night?(16:15) - Dylan Harper's fit in San Antonio(20:45) - Worst draft of the night?(24:05) - Best non-Cooper Flagg pick?(27:55) - Are the Mavs contenders with Flagg?(31:55) - Did Philly make the right call with VJ Edgecombe?(35:45) - Thunder pick up Thomas Sorber(39:40) - Looking ahead to Day 2
Subscribe to The Kevin O’Connor Show on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network