Hardwood Knocks is previewing the 2023-24 NBA season for EVERY NBA team. At least one awesomely thermonuclear guest will be brought on for each squad. You can find all the episodes here as we publish them in advance of opening night!

Atlanta Hawks Lookahead

Dan is joined by Lauren Williams (@WilliamsLaurenL) from the Atlanta Journal Constitution to break down the 2023-24 Atlanta Hawks. TIMESTAMPS⬇️
0:00 - INTRO
2:23 - Offseason impressions
6:54 - The Quin Snyder hire
10:31 - Functional changes to expect under Snyder
15:09 - The Dejounte Murray fit entering Year 2
19:38 - Is Trae Young underrated?
24:29 - The development of AJ Griffin
28:51 - Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu
31:24 - Extensions for Okongwu and Saddiq Bey?
33:01 - A bigger role for Jalen Johnson
34:59 - The fifth starter’s spot
37:28 - Can this Hawks core noticeably improve on the defensive end?
40:02 - Pascal Siakam trade rumors
43:20 - The 10-man rotation
45:42 - Atlanta’s biggest weakness/most surprising strength
47:44 - Best crunch-time lineup
48:27 - Weirdo lineups we want to see
51:05 - Over/under prediction
56:20 - Final thoughts

Charlotte Hornets Lookahead

Dan is joined by Konata Edwards (@NataTheScribe) from CBS Sports to discuss everything and anything about the 2023-24 Charlotte Hornets. FOLLOW KONATA ON BLUESKY: https://bsky.app/profile/natathescribe.bsky.social. TIMESTAMPS⬇️
0:00 - INTRO
1:56 - The sale of the team and its implications
4:13 - The Kai Jones video
5:58 - What is this team’s direction?
8:40 - Why did the Hornets draft Brandon Miller instead of Scoot Henderson?
13:24 - What type of role will Brandon Miller have as a rookie?
17:16 - Why did it take so long to re-sign P.J. Washington?
19:47 - The future of Miles Bridges
22:23 - Will Miles Bridges ever start over P.J. Washington or Gordon Hayward?
24:37 - Why didn’t the Hornets sign a veteran point guard or center?
28:45 - The development of Mark Williams
34:18 - The LaMelo Ball extension
37:34 - What’s the next frontier for LaMelo?
40:14 - How will Nick Smith Jr. be used?
43:34 - Players who will play a bigger role than expected/The return of Cody Martin
46:21 - How good can Charlotte’s defense be?
49:56 - Hidden strengths of the roster
51:01 - The backup center situation
52:27 - The 10-man rotation
55:46 - Best crunch-time unit
56:23 - Weirdo lineups we want to see
58:01 - Win total predictions, Where do the Hornets stack up in the East?

Chicago Bulls Lookahead

Dan is joined by Jason Patt (@Bulls_Jay) from the Cash Considerations podcast to discuss everything and anything about the 2023-24 Chicago Bulls. SUBSCRIBE TO CASH CONSIDERATIONS: https://www.bluewirepods.com/podcast/cash-considerations-a-chicago-bulls-pod. TIMESTAMPS⬇️
0:00 - INTRO
11:18 - General impressions of the Bulls offseason
21:56 - Is Chicago’s defense really this good?
27:10 - Will the Bulls be better on offense?
32:56 - Will DeMar DeRozan sign an extension?
35:33 - The continued development of Patrick Williams
44:44 - Who has a bigger role: Ayo Dosunmu or Coby White?
47:49 - Breaking down the Julian Phillips pick
50:41 - Do the Bulls need more wings?
52:38 - Shout-out Alex Caruso, Can Nikola Vucevic evolve?, Should Zach LaVine take more threes?
59:14 - The 10-man rotation
1:01:33 - Best closing lineup
1:03:21 - Weirdo lineups we want to see
1:05:10 - Win total prediction, Where do the Bulls stack up in the East?
1:11:41 - Final thoughts, The Zach LaVine discourse

Cleveland Cavaliers Lookahead

Dan is joined by Justin Rowan (@Cavsanada) from The Chase Down Podcast (@ChaseDownPod) to discuss everything you need to know about the 2023-24 Cleveland Cavaliers. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHASEDOWN PODCAST HERE: https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/podcasts.
TIMESTAMPS⬇️
0:00 - INTRO
1:51 - Reflecting on the Cavs’ 2022-23 season
8:11 - Impressions of Cleveland’s offseason
11:42 - Biggest concern for the roster
18:16 - The role of Caris LeVert without Ricky Rubio
21:58 - The development of Evan Mobley
34:02 - Does Isaac Okoro have a future in Cleveland?
39:57 - The next frontier for Darius Garland
46:54 - Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland’s dynamic
53:41 - Dual Bigs vs. Dual-Small Guards
57:54 - Will Dean Wade be healthy/better?
1:00:14 - Developing Emoni Bates
1:03:21 - The 10-man rotation
1:04:19 - Best crunch-time lineup
1:05:36 - Weirdo lineups we want to see
1:07:15 - Win total prediction, Where do the Cavs stack up in the East?

Detroit Pistons Lookahead

Dan is joined by Lazarus Jackson (@lazchance) from Detroit Bad Boys to break down the 2023-24 Detroit Pistons. TIMESTAMPS⬇️
0:00 - INTRO
2:17 - General impressions of the Pistons offseason
7:06 - The Monty Williams hire
12:37 - Rookie year role for Ausar Thompson
17:16 - The development of Cade Cunningham
20:44 - Is a Jaden Ivey leap coming?
24:46 - Let’s talk about 
28:48 - WE ARE SMITTEN WITH JALEN DUREN
34:02 - Early impressions of James Wiseman
36:42 - The fit of Marcus Sasser
38:25 - Does Killian Hayes have a future in Detroit? 
42:18 - Isaiah Stewart’s extension
48:37 - Who plays a bigger role?
53:04 - Will the Pistons be sellers this year if their record doesn’t drastically improve?
56:19 - The 10-man rotation
59:01 - Best crunch-time unit
1:00:06 - Weirdo lineups we want to see
1:01:45 - Over/under prediction, Where does Detroit stack up in the East?
1:06:21 - Believe in Isaiah Livers

Houston Rockets Lookahead

Dan is joined by Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) from Red Nation Hoops to break down everything about the 2023-24 Houston Rockets. SUBSCRIBE TO HIS INDEPENDENT NEWS LETTER FOR MORE AWESOME ROCKETS COVERAGE HERE: https://t.co/R2FBmIxTMg. TIMESTAMPS⬇️
0:00 - Intro
2:49 - General impressions of the Rockets offseason
6:49 - Can the Rockets rein in Dillon Brooks on offense?
13:04 - Who benefits the most from the arrival of Fred VanVleet?
14:47 - How will the Rockets change under Ime Udoka?
20:49 - Rookie year expectations for Amen Thompson
26:20 - Rookie year expectations for Cam Whitmore & The Value of Jae’Sean Tate
29:52 - The next step for Jalen Green
34:49 - The development of Jabari Smith Jr.
36:47 - Is Houston committed to Alperen Sengun? (cut out pause)
49:48 - Does Kevin Porter Jr. have a long-term future in Houston?
52:33 - Year 2 exceptions for Tari Eason
54:11 - The 10-man rotation
59:50 - Biggest concern about the Rockets this season
1:02:22 - Best crunch-time lineup
1:03:10 - Weirdo lineups we want to see
1:07:39 - Over/under predictions, Where does Houston stack up in the West?

Indiana Pacers Lookahead

Dan and Grant are joined by Caitlin Cooper (@C2_Cooper), THE GOAT HERSELF, from ‘BASKETBALL, SHE WROTE’ to discuss the incredibly fun, frenetic and fascinating 2023-24 Indiana Pacers. SUBSCRIBE TO ‘BASKETBALL, SHE WROTE’ ON PATREON RIGHT THE HELL NOW: https://www.patreon.com/basketballshewrote/posts. TIMESTAMPS⬇️
0:00 - INTRO
2:36 - How good were last year’s Pacers?
5:44 - How will this year’s Pacers team defend?
8:11 - The defensive impact of Bruce Brown
10:08 - Development of Bennedict Mathurin, his impact on
the rest of the rotation and the roles of Andrew Nembhard and Buddy Hield
20:01 - Obi Toppin’s fit, his impact on the role of Myles Turner
23:59 - How will Indiana use Jarace Walker on offense
27:02 - Can Jarace Walker have an immediate impact on defense?
29:07 - How will the frontline rotation shake out? What does it mean for Myles Turner?
32:01 - Tyrese Haliburton’s defense
38:03 - Will Indy’s half-court offense be better?
40:04 - What do we make of the Pacers interest in Pascal Siakam?
45:05 - Initial impressions of Ben Sheppard
47:29 - What about the Pacers is flying under the radar?
49:52 - The 10-man rotation, Will Isaiah Jackson play?
52:24 - Best closing lineup
53:48 - Weirdo lineups we want to see
55:19 - Win total predictions, Where do they stack up in the East?

Memphis Grizzlies Lookahead

Dan and Grant are joined by Keith Parish from the Fastbreak Breakfast (@fastbreakbreak)and Grits and Grinds (@grizzliespod) podcasts to discuss—YOU GUESSED IT—the 2023-24 Memphis Grizzlies. SUBSCRIBE TO FASTBREAK BREAKFAST here: https://t.co/XXQ1MjPNlx. SUBSCRIBE TO GRITS AND GRINDS here: https://t.co/eJcwfQwZE0. TIMESTAMPS⬇️
0:00 - INTRO
5:36 - The Ja Morant suspension
17:13 - The Marcus Smart trade, Are the Grizzlies better built
to navigate life without Ja Morant?
28:51 - Continued development of Desmond Bane/The Desmond Bane extension
32:53 - Can Jaren Jackson Jr. level up again?
37:56 - Where can the Grizzlies improve them most?
45:10 - The future of Ziaire Williams
49:46 - The 10-man rotation
52:51 - Best crunch-time unit
54:32 - Weirdo lineups we want to see, Win total predictions, Where do the Grizzlies stack up in the West?

Milwaukee Bucks Lookahead

Dan is joined by Ti Windisch (@TiWindisch) of the Gyro Step Podcast ( @WatchGSPN ) to break down everything about the 2023-24 Milwaukee Bucks. SUBSCRIBE TO THE GYRO STEP PODCAST: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gyro-step-podcast-network-covering-all-things-milwaukee/id1451573723. TIMESTAMPS⬇️
0:00 - INTRO
3:36 - Why are the Bucks so nerve-wracking on a national level?
8:38 - General impressions of the Bucks offseason
12:36 - Impact of Malik Beasley and Jae Crowder
17:01 - Mike Budenholzer’s exit/Adrian Grffin’s arrival
23:46 - The fifth starter
27:03 - Any concern about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s left knee
29:16 - How will Giannis Antetokounmpo change as he ages?
31:27 - Any reason to worry about the absence of a Giannis extension?
33:41 - The importance of a healthy Khris Middleton
37:25 - Will Andre Jackson Jr., Chris Livingston or A.J. Green have a role?
43:10 - How will MarJon Beauchamp fare in Year 2?
48:29 - What will the offense look like? How many minutes will the stars play?
52:16 - What is Milwaukee’s title window with this core?
59:21 - Will the Bucks look to add another shot creator?
1:09:27 - The 10-man rotation
1:13:19 - Best crunch-time lineup
1:14:10 - Weirdo lineups we want to see
1:16:06 - Over/under prediction, Where does Detroit stack up in the East?
1:18:46 - Will Jrue Holiday benefit from the coaching change?

Orlando Magic Lookahead

Dan is joined by Kyle from Court Cousins: An Orlando Magic NBA Podcast (@Court_Cousins) to discuss—YOU GUESSED IT—everything and anything about the 2023-24 Orlando Magic. SUBSCRIBE TO COURT COUSINS on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS24xb3LSYbzzTBtE3ASLvg. TIMESTAMPS⬇️
0:00 - INTRO
4:16 - General impressions of the Magic offseason
7:17 - Breaking down the role of Joe Ingles
10:23 - Anthony Black’s fit and role
15:11 - Is Markelle Fultz the point guard of the future?
20:37 - Jett Howard’s fit and role
23:59 - The development of Paolo Banchero
39:01 - The next frontier for Franz Wagner
44:33 - Is Jalen Suggs on the ascent?
50:47 - The Suggs, Cole Anthony and Gary Harris conundrum
54:01 - Extensions for Markelle Fultz and Cole Anthony?
59:14 - The importance of Wendell Carter Jr.
1:06:38 - Are Jonathan Isaac and Chuma Okeke on their way out?
1:10:01 - Will Kevon Harris or Caleb Houston play?
1:12:31 - Biggest concern aside from shooting
1:15:44 - What makes the defense special?
1:18:10 - The 10-man rotation
1:21:51 - Best crunch-time unit
1:23:24 - Weirdo lineups we want to see
1:25:38 - Win total prediction, Where do the Magic stack up in the Eastern Conference?

Sacramento Kings Lookahead

Dan and Grant are joined by Greg Wissinger (@gwiss) from The Kings Herald (@thekingsherald) to discuss everything about the 2023-24 Sacramento Kings. Support The Kings Herald here: https://kingsherald.com/ TIMESTAMPS⬇️
0:00 - INTRO
2:01 - General impressions of the Kings offseason
3:58 - The Domantas Sabonis renegotiate-and-extend
15:27 - Does Sabonis have another level to hit?
20:26 - The defense
22:41 - Impact of Sasha Vezenkov
25:02 - The development of Keegan Murray
28:06 - Does Davion Mitchell have a future in Sacramento?
30:02 - De’Aaron Fox’s defense/The next frontier for De’Aaron Fox
35:16 - Can this core improve substantially on defense?
38:55 - Roles for Chris Duarte and Kessler Edwards
41:58 - How will the secondary big man rotation shake out?
45:12 - Predicting the 10-man rotation
47:23 - What’s one thing with this team that flies under the national radar?
49:33 - The best crunch-time lineup
50:46 - Weirdo lineups we want to see
51:52 - Over/under predictions, Where do the Kings stack up in the West?
58:21 - Colby Jones

Washington Wizards Lookahead

Dan is joined by Matt Modderno (@MattModderno) from the Bleav in Wizards podcast (@BleavinWizards) to discuss the 2023-24 Washington Wizards and the beginning stages of their rebuild. SUBSCRIBE TO THE BLEAV IN WIZARDS pod here: https://bleav.com/shows/bleav-in-wizards/. TIMESTAMPS⬇️
0:00 - INTRO
1:01 - The Teardown!
4:21 - Did the Wizards get enough when they blew it up?
9:37 - Preparing Bilal Coulibaly experience
15:07 - Is Wes Unseld Jr. on the hot seat?
18:04 - The continued development of Deni Avdija
27:53 - Jordan Poole’s role
32:37 - Is Kyle Kuzma here to stay?
40:41 - Most intriguing long-term players on the roster
45:01 - Figuring out the back end of the roster: Anthony Gill, Xavier Cook, Patrick Baldwin Jr., Ryan Rollins, Danilo Gallinari, Johnny Davis
48:20 - How will the Wizards play on offense? On defense?
52:34 - The 10-man rotation
55:23 - Best crunch-time unit
56:34 - Weirdo lineups we want to see
59:06 - Win total prediction, Where do the Wizards stack up in the East?

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