LeBron's "Indecision," "Yakkin' Yaxel," and the Hawks big move

0:00 ... Ross hello and welcome .... introduces panel, and dedicates show #258 to "B-Ball Paul" Reed, who was the #58 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

0:50 ... Lu Dort is traded from OKC to the Atlanta Hawks in a three team deal ... the guys discuss how Dort's grit and persistence will be a great asset to the Hawks' defensive schemes. World B wonders if this is the beginning of a new era in OKC where players are traded for financial reasons. Ross agrees and feels this was a salary dump by the Thunder.

7:25 ... Bruce is really shocked at how soon the Hawks gave up on Zachary Risacher who was the #1 overall pick in 2024, an All Rookie first teamer in 2025, and is only 21 years old. Ross and World B also comment on how Risacher's role was reduced in his second season.

11:52 ... LeBron James' indecision in choosing his next team is now causing Commissioner Adam Silver to level some sharp comments about how King James is holding up a lot of the decisions the league needs to make because they need to know where he will be playing. Bruce feels LeBron is putting his ego ahead of the league and it may come back to haunt him if he pursues his ownership aspirations in the future. World B agrees that it's an ego thing for LeBron and Ross feels he should finish his career in Cleveland.

15:57 ... The Heat officially introduced Giannis Antetokounpo last week and while they will need more outside shooting, there are some veterans out there like DeMar DeRozan and Russell Westbrook who might fit into Miami's "win now" plans in spite of them not being long range shooters. Ross liked that Giannis is changing his number from 34 to 7 and leaving 34 behind in Milwaukee.

21:25 .... Will Jonathan Kuminga ever find a team? The whole situation is bizarre due to his status as an "unrestricted" free agent who still needs to be in a sign and trade deal in order to find a new team since only teams under the cap can sign him without doing a sign and trade.

26:47 ... Yaxel Lendebourg led the Warriors to the Summer League championship and talked serious smack to the Grizzlies, the team the Dubs beat in the championship game. Bruce was so inspired that he game Yaxel a nickname: "Yakkin' Yaxel." Ross pointed out that Yaxel and Draymond Green have been talking trash to each other on Dray's podcast so the rookie is learning from the master.

30:33 ... Speaking of the Warriors, Stephen Curry has become the first active player to have a major exhibit at the Basketball Hall of Fame due to the way he revolutionized the NBA with his shooting skills. World B and Ross feel it is well-deserved.

33:46 ... Bruce promotes the Hoop Hall Hangout session he will be hosting with Spurs legend Bruce Bowen on August 5th at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.

35:00 ... The guys examine the crazy contract Gary Trent Junior signed with the Bucks and how the league is investigating the Bucks for salary cap circumvention.

37:04 .... The Kawhi Leonard trade from the Clippers to the Raptors is on hold due to the NBA investigating the endorsement deal Leonard signed with Aspiration for $28 million last year. Ross feels for the others involved in the trade because their lives and careers are being negatively impacted by the freezing of the transaction.

40:21 ... Bruce shares a story on Keaton Wagler of the Clippers and how he led the team in a bonding experience in Las Vegas where they went to an escape room and his experience in previous escape room visits helped him guide the team to a succesful escape.

41:56 ... Ross wraps the show and says goodbye.

TRT 42:08

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