Grading the Extensions; Season Predictions

Grading the Extensions; Season Predictions

Author: John Hollinger and Nate Duncan October 23, 2025 Duration: 54:14
Hollinger & Duncan sift the rookie-scale extension rush—what looks smart vs. risky—and then dive into 2025’s biggest questions: true title equity, matchup landmines, awards races, hot-seat candidates, and which front offices set themselves up best. 0:30 — The extension wave under a rising cap: what looks smart vs. risky 1:00 — Keegan Murray pricing: two-way wing scarcity vs. limited upside 5:54 — Christian Braun and Denver’s apron math: role value vs. replaceability 12:00 — Dyson Daniels: age/size/defense bet and why a flat $25M structure matters 13:45 — Shaedon Sharpe: lock in upside now or gamble on RFA? 16:19 — Toumani Camara: converting a team option now vs. preserving flexibility later 23:18 — Aaron Nesmith: playoff proof-of-concept and Indy’s shorter 2/40 approach 24:39 — Why some wings/guards didn’t extend: the “wait-and-see” tier (Mathurin, Ivey, Eason) 27:26 — Jalen Duren: cap-hold strategy, center comps, and Detroit’s options 28:34 — Next summer’s center market: Kessler/Williams and the post-incentive era 29:12 — Framing the 2025 race: contenders, matchups, ceilings (no picks) 29:28 — East storylines: regular-season juggernauts vs. playoff-built teams; health variables 33:28 — West storylines: OKC’s rise, the Warriors’ matchup swing, and who actually has a ceiling 35:03 — The true title-equity bucket—and who’s one in-season move away 39:18 — MVP shape: the eligibility gauntlet, top tier, and the U.S. vs. international tilt 43:44 — Hot-seat watch: contexts around Doug Christie, Willie Green, Darko Rajaković, others 46:17 — Sixth Man: role volatility, eligibility traps, and what voters really reward 47:17 — Most Improved: high-ceiling leaps vs. low-baseline pop candidates 51:17 — Defensive Player of the Year: the unicorn case vs. voter fragmentation 51:42 — Executive of the Year narratives: asset plays, cap gymnastics, timing 53:29 — Why 2024–25 on-court styles will be especially diverse and fun

For anyone who wants to move past the surface-level takes and truly understand the mechanics of professional basketball, Hollinger & Duncan NBA Show offers a weekly deep dive. Hosted by John Hollinger, an analytics pioneer and former NBA front office executive, and Nate Duncan, a seasoned host known for his detailed game analysis, this podcast operates with a unique blend of insider knowledge and objective scrutiny. Each episode feels like a conversation between two of the sharpest minds in basketball, dissecting not just what happened on the court, but why it happened and what it means for the future. You’ll hear detailed breakdowns of team strategies, nuanced player evaluations that go beyond basic stats, and clear explanations of complex financial rules like the salary cap and luxury tax that dictate roster construction. The discussion is grounded in film study and advanced data, providing a comprehensive picture of league trends, trade implications, and playoff races. It’s a show for the dedicated fan who craves substance, whether the topic is a rookie’s footwork, a contender’s defensive scheme, or the ramifications of a new collective bargaining agreement. Listening to this podcast is like gaining access to a front office meeting, where the league’s narratives are unpacked with intelligence, humor, and a relentless pursuit of what actually wins games.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Hollinger & Duncan NBA Show - NBA Basketball Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Veteran Extensions 2026-27 Part Un [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:14
Hollinger & Duncan open with brief Knicks-Spurs Finals picks, then spend the episode on veteran extension decisions around the league: who should be extended now, who should wait, and where player options or trade value…
Changing the Game to Reduce Injuries; The Playoff Crucible Week 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:01
In the wake of a series of depressing playoff injuries, John and Nate take 30 minutes to brainstorm some potential rule changes they think would help. Then we look back on week 3 of the playoff crucible and discuss the c…
The 2026 Crucible Week 2, Lottery Reform [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:19
Hollinger and Duncan react to Minnesota’s stunning series win over Denver, the Knicks’ historic Game 6 destruction of Atlanta, the proposed lottery reform, and the biggest strategic developments of the playoffs so far. T…
The Playoff Crucible Outlook 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:25
John and Nate look ahead to the playoffs, picking all 4 rounds and the eventual champions. Plus, they pick their: Most interesting series Least interesting series Best Individual Matchup Star player with the toughest mat…
Star Movement Draft; Milwaukee Drama; Reaves’ Market [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:55
John and Nate do their 3rd annual Star Movement Draft, as they pick the stars they think are most likely to be on another team by the start of the 2027-28 season. But first, they catch up on Giannis’ latest comments on t…
Top-10 Players in the NBA 2025-26 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:27
John Hollinger joins Nate Duncan and Danny Leroux in a special crossover episode to discuss the top-10 players in the NBA. Is Jokic or Shai at the top of the league? Where does the ascendant Victor Wembanyama fit in? The…
Coach Rankings 2025-26 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:35
John Hollinger and Nate Duncan do their annual coach rankings based on all the criteria that go into making a great (or terrible) coach. It’s a clear group of four at the top for both of them, but then it gets murkier wi…
First Annual Playoff and Tankoff Wins Draft [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:42
We actually do NEW episodes even 7 years in. John and Nate draft the nine tanking teams to see who can draft the most wins the rest of the season. Where does your favorite tanking team land in the rankings?