Eastern Conference Shakeup Part 2: Sixers, Pistons, Knicks, Celtics & Heat Break Down Their Offseasons

Shot Clock Pod - July 18 2026 === Jose: ​[00:00:00] All right, it's time to talk basketball. I'm Jose Salviati, editor at thePeachBasket.net. He is Steve Purciello, host of Celtic Chalk Talk, a longtime educator, vice principal, high school basketball coach, athletic director, and also, oh, I already mentioned, host of Celtic Chalk Talk. You get it twice. This though is the Shot Talk, the Shot Clock Pod. Shot Clock Pod was born out of the content in Steve's 13 Rules random NBA thoughts article, where he publishes which he publishes weekly. We have exactly 24 minutes to discuss what's on his mind around the NBA. Today, for the first time in our history, we will not be discussing his latest 13 Rules random NBA thoughts article. Instead, we'll be continuing a discussion on last week's article, where he shared his random thoughts as the NBA off-season continues, specifically on the moves Eastern Conference teams made, and we'll talk a little bit [00:01:00] more about that as we go on. But I wanted to pause for a minute and thank you for your listening. We want you to know that you are listening to one of the independent fan-driven shows on the Peach Basket Podcast Network of shows. We're not owned by a big media company, which means what you hear comes straight from real fans who live the game every day. If you believe voices like this should be heard, the best way to support us is simple. Keep listening, tell a friend, comment subscribe. When this episode ends, head over to the Peach Basket Podcast Network. Head over to thePeachBasket.net, check out more fan-run podcasts, and help this independent network grow the way it started, organically, one hoops fan at a time. We're grateful you're here. Thank you. Thank you, Steve. Last week, we did a deep dive into nine teams in the Eastern Conference and the changes they made this off-season. We talked about five of those teams last week. Today, we'll discuss the rest. Are you ready? Steve: Great Jose: Let's do it. The clock is going. All right. So last week we talked about a pretty busy off-season. We talked about the Sixers' moves, the Pistons' moves, the Knicks' moves, the [00:02:00] Celtics' moves, and the Heat's moves. I would've thought by now we would've had an opportunity to talk about where LeBron James landed, but he is continuing to He's got everybody hooked, and he's just reeling us in, and he hasn't said anything yet. So maybe we'll talk a little bit about that. I'm curious to hear, get your thoughts on where you think he's gonna land. But before we do, let's talk first about the Milwaukee Bucks. Now the Bucks obviously were involved in the biggest trade to date, moving Giannis. They got a pretty big haul from Miami. In addition to that, they acquired Khris LeVert. They dealt Taurean Prince. What do you think? What does Miami look like without Giannis? Steve: Me and Milwaukee, you Jose: I said Miami. Yes, I did. I did. Milwaukee. Thank you Steve: I think they only won 30 or 32 last year, so I think they'll do as well, if not a little better. I think Herro will be to just really do what he wants offensively, he'll have a good year if he's [00:03:00] healthy. He'll get his 25 a night. and if Kahlil Ware continues to develop, they're gonna be much better meaning in the low 40s. But I think more or less they'll be a 35-win team. And it depends on the development of the other guys in the trade, Jack LaLonde and so on. But, and they've got a couple players coming back that can play. Porter is a nice player. So they're not completely bereft of anything. They also have Turner coming back. So there, there, there's pieces. I think it's a disjointed mess but they're not horrible. They're not starting over and there's some pieces that could fit together and piece you an, an average team. And I guess what the Bucs are betting on is to be respectable 'cause they don't have many draft picks because of all the trades they made trying to ha- make Giannis happy. So they're trying to be respectable and gut this out. Or they might try to, see if they can develop [00:04:00] value on a guy like Herro and maybe get a pick or two for him. But it's more or less they're just gonna gut it out as a below average team and then go from there. Jose: Yeah. Which is weird to think of, where they were not just a couple years ago. They, they were world champions. Khris Middleton, Giannis and all of a sudden, it's a reboot. It's always a hard thing for a franchise to go through. I'm looking at their projected starting lineup and I'll be honest with you, I don't really know the power forward. Listen to these names. Ryan Rollins, Tyler Herro, back court, right? Solid, okay back court, I think. Jaime Jaquez Jr. at the small forward, and then I think I said power point guard. Power forward is Nate Ament? I don't even know the name Steve: bit. He nothing to write home over. Don't forget they, they've got a guy, Kyle Kuzma, still standing around there. And he, he was terrible the last two years, but he, when he was with the Lakers going back, he was good. So you don't know if he finds it. I don't know if it's a [00:05:00] contract year, he will find it. That's not a waste. And we didn't get to Cole Ware, and we didn't... Jose: He's the projected starting center, yeah Steve: I would think they might try, although they're not gonna... Myles Turner they're not gonna use. But the smart thing with that is you gotta play Turner, hope he does well, and try to get a pick for him and at the end, by the end of the year. Somebody looking for some, for talent. You get off his salary and also you get a pick, 'cause they've got to revitalize themselves with draft picks. And you were talking about the Bucks being champs. I think everything went downhill when they made the Looney trade. was the beginning of the end for them. And then it just quickly fell apart. But that's Jose: right Steve: on what they have to do. They're just, they're taking as much talent and gonna try to trade it. They'll keep Hollins 'cause he's young. Probably keep Jack LaLonnais and Jacques young, but they're not, they're... And Cole Ware. I think the biggest hope they have is this guy develops. And [00:06:00] then you can work around that Jose: Yeah, and my apologies to Nate. Looks like he was a, a draft pick this year. Had a good year at Tennessee, and he's projected to start. We'll see. It's always tough when you've got your rookie projected to start. Let's see how things work out for Steve: right Jose: the Milwaukee Bucks. Let's talk about the best offensive team for calendar year 2026 in the NBA. That's the Charlotte Hornets. Some people might be surprised at that. Look it up. I'm not making that up. That is actually factual. The best offensive team from January to the end of the season from offensive ranking position or perspective were the Charlotte Hornets. But yet they revamped. Did they get better? They shook up their team, right? They acquired Naz Reid. I like Naz Reid. I li- I think the NBA likes Naz Reid. Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale, Dorian Finney-Smith. They also re-signed Kobe White. Of course, they traded LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges. What do you make of the new-look Hornets? Steve: I think it, [00:07:00] it's it's because it, it's what their coach, I think, really wanted. He's a defensive guy, Charles Lee. I don't think Miles Bridges nor LaMelo Ball fit into that defensive attitude. I also watched quite a few games of them last year. They were fun to watch, there were times LaMelo sat out the end of a game. He pulled them. And that told me something's not right here. And it foreshadowed what really happened. But you start thinking about it, know Knipple won't be a good defender, but he's a winner and he's the one who created this, this atmosphere of, positivity. Now, they need-- they were using Diabate as the big man last year. He's limited. He's not that big, first of all. Nasreed might be able to do that, but they also got Royce O'Neale who can defend. So they're picking up some defenders in this, in the off season. They do still need the big man. I I guess they have Cockren Brennan, I [00:08:00] believe, and they're hoping he can develop into something. But they still need that, that one big rim protector to really help them. But I understand what they did. I think they lost, though. They didn't win in these trades. But I understand the move and the shift away from where they were. The fans won't like it because LaMelo is exciting. The, thing is, you wonder what uniform he wears. Is it your team, their team or his team? And it's, and I think that's the problem. Jose: Yeah Steve: It, it'll be interesting Jose: You said something interesting just a little bit ago. I think you were talking about Knuppel. Great scorer, not a great defensive player, but he's a winner, right? That's what you said. And I immediately started to think about that 'cause I don't wanna say that we bash non-defensive players, but you made a point of saying that the, the, the NBA is clearly leaning towards younger players, defensive players who can play, the, the whole length of the court. Knuppel's not one of [00:09:00] them, but he's a winner undeniably. So now I'm starting to think about, the history of the game, right? And the first thought that came to mind was Larry Bird, right? An absolute winner, not a great defensive player. Now, I'm not saying Knuppel is Larry Bird. That's not what I'm saying. I'm just saying i- is that c- is he kinda cut from that mold, right? Great scorer, good scorer, maybe a great scorer, weak defensively, but a great winner Steve: First of all, y- you're talking about one of the five greatest players ever, so let's Jose: True? Steve: out. But Knipple's th- there's a- an air about him when he's on the court. There's an excitement when he gets the ball. And I... From what I read, he seems to be somebody that's really some juice into the team. And that's a very important thing for them. The thing about it is, though, they were on an upward swing. I don't know if they're gonna continue that next year, and it might take a little bit ti- of time to continue [00:10:00] that swing. But again, going back to what I did say, you like them up to 26, 27 years old. They don't get paid a lot of money they're still... They play every night. They don't miss games. Where when they get to be 30, they miss games. So I think they're they're in a good way. Don't forget, we forgot Brandon Miller. Brandon Miller's gonna be a very Jose: Yeah Steve: man in a couple years. He can play. And so th- they're not terrible. Naz Reid will help them as a big, but they still need that big center that can protect the rim. And I- he probably, a perfect addition would've been, but he, he doesn't play enough and he gets hurt, would've been Mitchell Robinson. Because that would've really helped everything work meaning taking away the easy baskets from other teams, as well as rebounding and doing all the things they need. We also forgot the addition of Coby White. Coby White's a really good offensive player. Y- th- [00:11:00] there's give and take in this, but I think they're a tad not as good, but you don't know. Knipple makes things happen and he's fun to watch Jose: Yeah. Yeah, but the funnest guy to watch is gone, and that's LaMelo Ball. I think, that's fair. But again, Knipple's a winner and there's no denying that. Let's see if he can win in Hor- in, in Charlotte with this team. Next team that made a big move was a team that surprised I think a lot of people last year. That's the Toronto Raptors. I think two teams really probably did better than the expectation. That's the Boston Celtics certainly did better than expected last year, and then they traded their, the guy who led them. And the Toronto Raptors did better I think than than they were expected to do, and they revamped which is odd. Of course, they're bringing in, maybe, we'll see, who knows, aspiration thing is still lingering, but they're bringing in Kawhi Leonard. It cost them Brandon Ingram, Grady Dick, and Sandro we'll just go with Mamu who's a solid player. I [00:12:00] enjoyed watching him play San Antonio and I think he's a solid player. But what do you make of the Toronto Raptors? They gained Kawhi, or did they? And if they do, what difference does it make? Steve: I think Kawhi's, who knows? We can guess is he gonna be available? Is he gonna get hurt? His knee, is he... i- if he's there, he'll be good. But what are you gonna get? 50, 60 games? Jose: Oh, if you're lucky, yeah Steve: yeah. And so you traded Brandon Ingram, what are you gonna get? 50, 60 games. So yeah Kawhi's a much better player it doesn't make a significant difference. I think the biggest questions with them is, will Quickley ever become as good as he was when he played with the Knicks? He's making a lot of money and that's costing them a lot. So they gotta worry about that. And then, the other the defender Barnes, he's a good player, but will he ever become a consistent shooter? he's your second-best player after Kawhi, but will he become the shooter that you hope to become a star, to make himself into a true star? He's a good player, real good player, [00:13:00] but that- that's another piece. The o- the other piece is Jakob Poeltl. They're paying him a lot of money, he was hurt most of last year. He didn't play many games at all. So there's so many question marks there that y- you wonder if they all play and they play well, and they could be very good. But the odds say no, because Kawhi's not gonna play and, Quickley, who knows if he's ever gonna return. Barrett didn't play a lot of games last year. He probably played about 60 I'm guessing. So you know it... you need to get all... And Mamu helped them last year, by the way 'cause he came in when Poeltl was hurt. He's not a big man because he's not big, but he spaces the four and can shoot the three. There's so many variables in this whole thing that it's hard to tell. We also forget, and I love Nor- Shed. Shed is an outstanding defender and he's physical, and things happen when he's around. So got some pieces. They need a lot of luck though to get [00:14:00] those pieces over the top Jose: Yeah. And again, I think when an average team over exceeds or exceeds our expectation, you look at the coach. At least I do. And so I think, the Raptors coach Darko, right? Steve: Yep Jose: I had it and now I don't have it. I th- the hope of course is that he's gonna be able to merge all these pieces together and grow from what they did last year. But I would hate to be the Toronto Raptor right now because you're waiting. Right now you don't know, right? Am I gonna have Kawhi? Am I not gonna have Kawhi? If Brandon Ingram back, if I have Kawhi, is he suspended for a certain number of games? That's a horrible place to be in as you're trying to build a team, right? Steve: Well, first of all, with Darko, they just upped him. They gave him an extension on his Jose: Okay Steve: The players seem to love him, and they respond to him. And I-- he's another of the modern coaches that really has everybody's back, meaning he doesn't criticize and, so players like playing for him. But I, know, so I think that'll [00:15:00] be fine unless he gets challenged by Kawhi, then it can all fall apart. But 'cause Kawhi's got, a lot of cachet. But I, you like to think they're going to be better, but you don't know. You don't, you just don't know with a team like that. Everybody's been hurt it's hard. I think, I guess Scotty Barnes might be the only guy that was really healthy all last year of that group last year. And Ingram missed the playoff games, and I think when he did that, I think Toronto's patience with him went out the window Jose: Yeah. So we'll see how things settle down in in, in Toronto. Let's talk about a, a team that hasn't been good for as long as I can remember but they might be turning the corner. That's the Washington Wizards. You called them the most interesting team in the East, which I don't think those words have ever been spoken of the Washington Wizards franchise since before Elvin Hayes played for this team or at least for this franchise. In the last year, they acquired Anthony Davis, Trae Young, [00:16:00] DeAndre Ayton, Khris Middleton. Then they've got their new players D- D'Ban- D'Banca, AJ D'Banca. I haven't-- I still have not watched any highlights yet. I'm excited to. They got Carrington, they got Sarr Balal, Keyshawn George, Trey Johnson. A lot of good pieces. Is it all gonna fit? Is Washington gonna be good? Steve: Well, first of all, they s- they re-signed Trae Young for a lot of money, which is gonna cut into the cap down the road. Him and between him and Davis, they're probably making over 100 million. So you know, that-- the- they've got so many young guys, so it's not hurting them now. But in what? A year or two, Sar will be up for an extension and so on. I believe Davis has got two years left, and he's about 60 million. I don't think they'll try to re-sign him, and I think they'll try to trade him at some point if he can be on the court for a couple games in a row. And if they do and he produces, I think that would be the thing they'll do because Sar will be a good player. They've got a couple young people. Trae Johnson can [00:17:00] play. And they got the Riley kid who can play. So they've got some people be- besides Bilal Kuwabari, besides Bob Carrington. They've got a bunch of pieces. They're not great, but they're good pieces. So they're not far away. It depends on where Trae Young takes them also. And it'll be interesting. If Davis is healthy, you got a rim protector and a pretty good player down low. you've got Trae Young who can make things happen. And y- and De Bond's I think is real. He's legit. if I were betting, I'd already bet him as the Rookie of the Year. Because I just think he's... and he's just-- There's a way about him where he just, he's in charge. And, potential's there, but again it's like, you're throwing stuff together. And don't forget, they have a young coach who never played in the NBA. I don't know what-- how well he's perceived by his team, that's another issue that the team has to figure out. So you've got all these factors in it and it's very [00:18:00] difficult, but it's a fun team. It'll be, for the first time I could say in a long time, they'll be fun to watch. And it will be a game you'd put on if you're, i- if you're looking for something, on a given night where it used to be if Washington's on, forget it, I'm not watching it. So that's a positive Jose: I'm glad you called out the coach, 'cause again I always go back to that. When you have so many-- Brian Keefe, and I was gonna, I was gonna actually challenge folks listening right now, without looking it up, name the Wizards coach. I couldn't do it. I had to look it up. I know his face. I've seen him. I've seen him on the sidelines. I don't know anything about him Steve: What's interesting about that, they-- When the season ended, they said they were reevaluating them, him, and they decided to bring him back. Knowing you've got some veterans, it might not be an easy road for him, and there's some established coaches that might be out there that might be able to settle the ship. And that was an interesting decision they made Jose: Yeah. Yeah, [00:19:00] for sure. My first thought was Michael Malone, but I forgot he got a college job, didn't he? Steve: Right. Jose: Yeah Steve: you know what? Michael Malone might have hurt himself big time in the NBA because, A, when he was at Denver, him and Calvin Booth were fighting all the time about different things, and he had a lot to say, and it wasn't positive, and his players were almost tired of it. that doesn't-- That's why probably he ran to North Carolina because he realized it might not be easy to get another job right now. Of course, if he wins for a while in North Carolina, he'll be back. But I think that was part of it. But yeah, there's other coaches. Vogel won a title. Jose: Yeah Steve: coaches out there that Billy Donovan's walking around although they're both assistants. But yeah, those guys, Billy Donovan is considered one of the better coaches in the league, so Jose: Yeah. We'll see if Brian Keefe can make it work in Washington. Certainly got some interesting pieces. Let's finish up with the Cleveland [00:20:00] Cavaliers. Now, we talked about LeBron. LeBron, as we tape this show, is still kinda hovering. He's still playing everybody. He's still saying wait." I heard, I don't think it's any news that Adam Silver is frustrated with him 'cause he's gotta set the schedule, NBA schedule, and he wants LeBron to play Christmas. He doesn't know where LeBron's playing. He wants LeBron to hurry up. Now, we're not talking about LeBron, but we are talking about the Cleveland Cavaliers, who probably have got the inside track, I think. Would love your thoughts. This is what you wrote about the Cavs and I don't normally do this, but I'm gonna I'm gonna read a good chunk of this. "Donovan Mitchell's contract is great for Donovan and deserved, but I don't know if it helps the Cavs in the long run. He's getting 35% of the overall cap." We talk a lot about how hard it is to juggle all of that. I was happy because I love to see a player commit to a city and to a team, and Mitchell did that. But this could come back to bite them in the long run and cost them Mobley, Jarrett Allen, James Harden, unless LeBron signs. Tell us what's going on in [00:21:00] Cleveland. Steve: Mo- Mobley will be a 35% guy too, so now you got 70% on two guys. Boston just traded Jaylen Brown, that's one of the reasons they traded. So that's it. W- when we talk about LeBron, we're gonna learn a lot about LeBron. And let's look at it. Right now they say Philly, Cleveland Miami are the three teams in the lead. If he goes to Philly, he's chasing a ring. That's, there's no other way to put it. Jose: Sure Steve: if he goes to Cleveland, he is but it's sentimental and he's going back home. And you can accept that. If he goes to Miami, he's probably gonna sign for two years because Miami needs players and It's gonna take a little bit of time and he's hinted he's not, this might not be his last year. So there's three choices, and you learn a lot about LeBron. guess and my guess is, what I really... [00:22:00] And I go back and forth, but I kinda think Miami's where he's gonna end up be- for the simple reason that the ball will be in his hands more. In Philly, the ball won't be in his hands that often. In Cleveland, you got Harden and Mitchell, and they like the ball. Y- he's a secondary player. With, with Miami, can do it all. The point guard he can be. He can be the... Whatever you want him to be on a given night because Giannis, he's not... Giannis is gonna score, but he's not handling the ball all the time. Jose: Right Steve: And Adebayo, he, yeah, he can score, but he's not as for- a primary scorer. My guess would be Mi- Miami would be the place 'cause he'll still be out front, and people will be reading about LeBron getting triple doubles and all. So if I were to guess. But thinking about what I just said though about each of those teams, begin to think about it. I wouldn't wanna see him go to Philly because I don't wanna see him... I guess the Michael Jordan [00:23:00] winning ec- more titles got to him and, this is what he wants to do. And that, that doesn't speak well of him Jose: Yeah. I think it's fascinating that at 41 years old, this guy has captivated the NBA with this, with another decision. I think it's it's fascinating. W- we've never seen, an athlete like LeBron James at this age not only dominating the game but dominating the airwaves, right? Essentially hijacking the NBA. This is unbelievable. I'm looking at the odds, right? We're-- We don't do a lot of, you know, talk about gambling and odds. Every now and again we sprinkle it in here. I know you have in the past. But right now, the odds have Miami and Cleveland as the top two contenders with Golden State third and the Philadelphia 76ers fourth. I don't know where he's gonna end up, but I can't help but think that LeBron [00:24:00] wants to do a couple things. He wants to win another ring. He said it's not about the money, i- it's about the camaraderie, which I think is baloney. Not that it's not... I he does need money, but I, but he's also a contrarian, I think. And I think he looks at these odds, he's, I'ma go with-- I'm gonna, I'm gonna go to Golden State. I'm gonna go to San Antonio." He could pretty much-- What team's gonna say no to him except maybe-- there's only a handful of teams that would say no to LeBron. Is that fair? Steve: Yeah I guess so. Yeah big deal. To me, enough's enough. Enough's enough. Jose: You're done. You're just done. You're done Steve: Come on. It... let's be honest. The story's gotta be about LeBron. He wants it. He wants the story about LeBron. Jose: Mission accomplished Steve: of things to keep him out, himself out front. I lost, He's a great player. We, we can't deny that. Jose: Of course Steve: years ago when he made the statement "I don't like to talk about myself," or something along that... Come on. Who are we kidding here? You tell everybody you're great every day. Your back- on your back is a tattoo saying "The Chosen [00:25:00] One." Yeah, It... Come on. It's i'm tired of that. Just play. And but e-even this, at 41, he's hijacked the NBA this Jose: Yeah. Steve: summer. Yeah. Jose: Which is amazing. Steve: I'm just, you're tired of it. Jose: Yeah Steve: never did that and no, no other player ever did that Jose: I'd argue Jordan kinda did. He took a couple years to play baseball and then, "I'll, I'll come back. I'm like, I'm never coming back." He kinda did. Steve: many teams did he play with in his career? Two. Jose: That that's different. That's a different conversation, right? But he did hold the NBA hostage for a little bit Steve: reason he went to Washington is because Chicago wouldn't allow him to be a part owner as it was supposed to be back then. And so he went to Washington, but Jordan was a Chicago Bull, and Jordan pr- won the titles with what they gave him, where he didn't handpick which team he'll go to, to win more titles. He just, What had to be done to win. And Jordan wasn't out in the paper like this. Th- this is... it's re- you know I was looking at HoopsHype today [00:26:00] and half of it was about what LeBron's Come on. Jose: Yeah Steve: I've had enough Jose: I sense that. Steve: Yeah Jose: So I hate to ask the question, but I wanna finish with this. You talked about LeBron's fit with Miami. You wrote about his fit with the Cleveland Cavaliers. You said, "Unless they get LeBron, the Cavs presently aren't good enough to win a title, Steve: I Jose: making staying in the second..." So are they good enough to win a title if they get LeBron? Steve: I don't think they have the Jose: Okay. Steve: I just I Jose: Even with LeBron Steve: I just... Evan Mobley is a good player. He hasn't made the step towards greatness. Jose: Yeah Steve: Mitchell's a, a really good player, great offensive player. I don't know. And when a guy takes that money like that, instead of saying, like Wemby just took money, less money he wants to win. And when Mitchell does that, you start wondering where his priorities are, especially in this new NBA with the second apron and all that stuff. So I don't know where his priorities are. [00:27:00] Harden and Mitchell, I, I, I-- they played together, but I just don't know how well they can play together. It just-- it, it's-- I, I don't-- I think it's a, a mishmash of players. Just get as many talented players and let's hope we can win. And that, that doesn't usually work in my mind. Jose: Yep. All right. Very interesting. Yeah. Yeah Steve: When Kenny Atkinson coached the Nets, I thought he was... did a great job and he got run out by Irving and Durant because of a lot of things. I've watched him with Cleveland, and I don't know if he's worried about a job or what, but when he makes a statement after the Knicks series where, we were ahead, we should've won four to one or something come on, just shut up. Jose: Right Steve: you gotta wonder, is he looking, hoping to hold on to his job to make a statement? I don't quite know what why you would even say that. You got your tail beat in, in that series. Just go move on. So I just don't know if it all fits, is my point Jose: Got it. [00:28:00] Got it. All right. We'll end on that note on, on, a little bit of angry Steve, which is okay every now and again. Honestly angry, which is good, which is fair. Steve: it Jose: All right. You heard the buzzer go off. That's it. Our time is up. We have another shot clock violation. Again, it's what we do. Thank you for listening. Thank you for watching. Make sure to read Steve's entire 32 rules, "Random NBA Thoughts" article. We will link it wherever you are watching or listening to the show today, and join us next week for more NBA random thoughts. Maybe we'll talk about LeBron's new team then, who knows? Maybe. Steve: Yeah. Jose: talk then. Thanks, Steve Steve: Sure