

The Athletic NBA Daily
The Athletic
Start your day with The Athletic NBA Daily – a fast, entertaining recap of the most important games and stories from the world of professional basketball with new episodes dropping Monday through Friday. Hosted by Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, and Esfandiar Baraheni with regular appearances by The Athletic’s award-winning NBA reporters. Andrew Schlecht and Alex Spears cap the week with the full-length Saturday Slam n’ Jam episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 10, 2025 • 29min
Anthony Davis’ roller coaster debut | Jimmy Butler cooks with Curry
Anthony Davis made his Dallas Mavericks debut in the midst of a fan protest. Dave DuFour, Es Baraheni, and Zena Keita react to AD’s debut, the rescinded trade between the Lakers and Hornets, and Jimmy Butler’s perfect fit with the Warrior. Then, the Athletic’s Christian Clark joins the show to discuss the timeline of the Luka Doncic trade, the fan reaction, Anthony Davis’ latest injury, and the comments from Mavericks Governor Patrick DumontHost: Dave DuFourWith: Zena Keita, Es Baraheni & Christian ClarkExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodyRead Christian’s story on AD’s debut: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6123613/2025/02/08/anthony-davis-mavericks-max-christie-luka-doncic/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 8, 2025 • 55min
NBA Trade Deadline Awards | Slam N Jam
A historic NBA Trade Deadline has passed, and Andrew Schlecht and Fred Katz are here to break down what happened and hand out Trade Awards. The awards consist of: - Pau Gasol Award - the trade that makes a team a true contender - PJ Washington Award - goes to the trade that most people didn’t like, but we think could really pay off in the Playoffs - Gordon Hayward Award - a trade that most everyone praises but it will reveal a player is washed - Poeltl Award - to the team that gave up a first round pick for a player and everyone will question it all of next season- Mike Conley Award - a trade for a veteran that will end up helping turn a team around- Simone Fontecchio award - the trade that NBA sickos obsess over, but won’t move the needle at all- Bogdanovic and Burks award - to the most overrated trade of the deadline Host: Andrew Schlecht With: Fred KatzExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Editor: Jake Kleinberg Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 6, 2025 • 26min
Jimmy Butler, Kevin Durant, De'Andre Hunter and the Trade Deadline
Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, and Sam Amick react to the Jimmy Butler trade, what happened with Kevin Durant, De'Andre Hunter to the Cavs and more. Then break down the rest of the trade deadline including what did, and did not happen.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Zena Keita & Sam AmickExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 6, 2025 • 23min
Jimmy Butler Traded to the Warriors EMERGENCY POD
The Miami Heat are finalizing a trade to send Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors for Andrew Wiggins and a draft pick in a multiteam trade. Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, Es Baraheni, and Marcus Thompson react to how Jimmy Butler works with the Warriors, the locker room chemistry, and how Andrew Wiggins will do in Miami. Then, the crew discuss the other trades that happened today including Valanciunas to the Kings, Kyle Kuzma to the Bucks and more.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni, Zena Keita, & Marcus ThompsonExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodyNBA TRADE DEADLINE BONANZAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNz-FEYRNnk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 5, 2025 • 31min
Kevin Durant to the Warriors? | Luka is a Laker
Add Kevin Durant’s name to the list of superstars with a potential new home as we approach the NBA’s trade deadline. Dave DuFour and Zena Keita react to Luka Doncic’s introductory press conference as a Laker, the Celtics big win over the Cavs, and the Nets stolen win over the Rockets. Then, the Athletic’s Anthony Slater joins the show to reveal how long the Golden State Warriors have been pursuing a reunion with Durant, what a trade might look like, and who the Warriors have in mind as a fallback.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Zena Keita & Anthony SlaterExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodyFollow our trade deadline live blog: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/nba-trade-deadline-luka-davis-trade/TCQ1VIMH3cPt/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 4, 2025 • 46min
Inside the Luka Doncic trade + Lakers deadline plans
The Los Angeles Lakers shocked the world by acquiring Luka Doncic via trade with the Dallas Mavericks. The Athletic’s Senior National Writer, Sam Amick guides Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni inside the Lakers negotiation process, the Mavericks decision to trade Luka, De’Aaron Fox’s move to San Antonio, and the Kings acquisition of Zach LaVine. Then, the Athletic’s Jovan Buha joins the show to look at the Lakers’ roster, their trade deadline plans, and LeBron James’s fit with Luka.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni, Sam Amick & Jovan BuhaExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodyRead Sam’s story on the trade: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6108360/2025/02/03/luka-doncic-nba-trade-negotiations-lakers-mavericks/Submit your questions to The Athletic NBA Daily mailbag: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5939460/2024/11/25/nba-podcast-mailbag-athletic-daily/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 3, 2025 • 27min
Fox Traded to the Spurs EMERGENCY POD + Luka with the Lakers
The Sacramento Kings are finalizing a trade to send De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs for multiple draft picks and Zach LaVine in a multiteam trade. Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, and Es Baraheni react to the Kings trade haul, the Fox and Wemby fit in San Antonio, and how the Luka Doncic trade ending the player empowerment era. Then, Lakers Nation’s Trevor Lane joins the show to talk about the Lakers landing Luka, how aggressive Los Angeles will be at the trade deadline, and how the team can build around Luka.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni, Zena Keita, & TrevorExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 2, 2025 • 35min
LUKA DONCIC TRADED TO THE LAKERS EMERGENCY POD
The Los Angeles Lakers have traded for Luka Doncic and we are here to break it all down. Es Baraheni, Zena Keita, and Alex Speers give a Birds Eye view of the trade, why would Dallas do this, how the Lakers accomplished it and much more.In Part 2, Jason Gallagher of the Young Man and the Three break down the trade from a Mavs fan perspective and if there could be a possible mutiny? Host: Es Baraheni, Zena Keita and Alex SpeersWith: Jason GallagherExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Editor: Andrew Schlecht Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 1, 2025 • 1h 13min
Celtics Still Favorites? + SNUBS and Lineups | Slam N Jam
Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers discuss the week of NBA Basketball, Who was SNUBBED from the All Star Game, 6th Man of the Year Odds, a surprise team update, the best and worst lineups, and much more. Then they are joined by Jay King of the Athletic to discuss the Boston Celtics and if they are close to overcoming their slump, how good Tatum has been, and what’s up with Jaylen Brown’s shooting. Then the boys play a fun edition of Andrew vs. the Beat, a trivia game where Andrew is pitted against a beat writer.Host: Andrew Schlecht and Alex SpeersWith: Jay KingExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio/Video Editor: Jake Kleinberg Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 31, 2025 • 32min
Biggest All Star Snubs | Should the Sixers tank?
Victor Wembanyama was selected as a reserve for his first All-Star appearance as the NBA announced the reserves for the game on Thursday. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni react to the names and debate the biggest snubs. Then, Kyle Neubeck, from PHLY Sports, stops by to discuss the Sixers reluctance to tank, Embiid’s return, and the Sixers trade deadline options. Finally, Kelly Iko joins the gang postgame from the crazy scene in Memphis as the Grizzlies won a hard fought contest against the Houston Rockets.Host: Dave DuFourWith: Es Baraheni, Kyle Neubeck, & Kelly IkoExecutive Producer: Andrew SchlechtAudio Producer: Grayson MoodyRead Kelly’s story on Amen Thompson: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6097869/2025/01/30/rockets-amen-thompson-stats-news-interview-nba/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.