The Athletic NBA Daily

Dan Woike, a Cleveland-based NBA reporter, offers local reporting and analysis on LeBron James and the Cavaliers. He breaks down the emotional tribute in Cleveland and whether it affected LeBron’s night. He touches on LeBron’s mixed retirement signals, Bronny’s debut and family legacy. He also explains Lakers front office drama, roster needs and realistic trade-deadline moves.

They rank all 30 teams into tiers based on who must make trades before the deadline. They dissect Giannis rumors and what Milwaukee might do. They debate which contenders should push now and which clubs should tank or reset. Specific teams discussed include nets, knicks, lakers, warriors, nuggets, rockets, and rebuilding squads.

Hunter Patterson, NBA reporter covering the Detroit Pistons, breaks down Detroit’s road win in Denver and their late-game composure. He digs into the team’s three-point struggles and how they generate paint dominance. Patterson also weighs Detroit’s trade-deadline options, comparing shooters like Trey Murphy and Michael Porter Jr., and sets the Pistons’ ceiling when healthy.

Josh Robbins, NBA reporter and Orlando Magic analyst, breaks down why Orlando has stalled. He discusses their offensive predictability, missing shooters and spacing issues. He talks injuries to key wings, defensive dropoffs tied to roster health, and what the team might do at the trade deadline to manage payroll and competitiveness.

They dissect a muted Warriors-Timberwolves clash and how local events affected both teams. They recap Toronto’s upset in OKC and why the Thunder’s offense stalled. They explore the Knicks’ new small-ball identity and rebounding resurgence in Philadelphia. Then they run a playful All-Star reserves vibe draft, arguing over breakout names, defensive picks, and fan-favorite selections.

Joel Lorenzi, staff reporter for The Athletic who covers the Chicago Bulls and NBA, breaks down Chicago’s trade-deadline posture and Billy Donovan’s influence. Short takes on Mo Bamba’s development and Alex Caruso’s shooting leap. Rapid-fire Bulls trivia and a look at roster construction, free-agency fits, and why drafting might be Chicago’s clearest path forward.

Tony Jones, a seasoned NBA reporter known for his in-depth analysis of the Philadelphia 76ers, joins the discussion. He delves into Joel Embiid's impressive return, highlighting his dominant triple-double performance. The chemistry between Embiid and Tyrese Maxey is examined, showcasing their evolving offensive dynamics. Tony also shares insights on the Sixers' playoff prospects and the critical roster adjustments they may consider as the trade deadline approaches.

Fred Katz, a veteran NBA reporter for The Athletic, dives into Norman Powell's fascinating evolution from bench scorer to a key player for the Clippers and Heat. He highlights Powell's unique biomechanics, particularly his bow-leggedness, and how it influences his play style, including his noteworthy step-back move. The discussion also shifts to the troubled New York Knicks, where Katz identifies defensive lapses and team dynamics as central issues, speculating on potential roster moves and the future under coach Mike Brown.

Marcus Thompson, a Senior NBA reporter focusing on the Golden State Warriors, delves into their current struggles in the Western Conference. The conversation highlights the critical need for roster adjustments around Steph Curry, particularly discussing Jonathan Kuminga's growing role off the bench. They also debate the implications of Jimmy Butler's injury on the Warriors and touch on the team's trade strategy. Thompson emphasizes that trading Curry is off the table, citing loyalty and his value to the franchise.

Will Guillory, a reporter for The Athletic covering the Houston Rockets, joins the discussion on the team's thrilling comeback win over the Spurs. He highlights Houston's impressive defense against Victor Wembanyama and the pivotal role of Reed Sheppard in the fourth quarter. Guillory also shares insights on the Rockets' potential approach at the trade deadline, suggesting they might focus more on internal development rather than making big moves. This conversation gives fans a deep dive into the evolving dynamics of the Rockets.