In this edition of Game Theory, Sam Vecenie is joined by his colleague at The Athletic Dave DuFour to dive into the De'Aaron Fox rumors around the league that the Kings are entering the "Danger Zone" with him. Then they talk a bit about the Timberwolves and how they've entered a bit of a danger zone themselves with Mike Conley and Julius Randle not performing. Finally, Sam wants to talk to Dave about the NBA and if it's actually worse now.

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In this edition of Game Theory, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon to react to the NBA Cup final between the Bucks & Thunder before discussing Denver's interest in trading for Zach Lavine from Chicago & answering questions about the 2025 NBA Draft!

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SPONSORS:

• Visit our partners over at PRIZEPICKS to go support the show! Download the app today and use code GAMETHEORY to get $50 instantly after you play your first $5 lineup! Use the code GAMETHEORY or visit this link to sign up: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/GAMETHEORY
• This episode of Game Theory is brought to you by BETTER HELP. If you're thinking of starting therapy, give Better Help a try. Visit https://BetterHelp.com/GAMETHEORY today to get 10 percent off your first month.
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In this edition of Game Theory, Sam Vecenie is here with Bryce Simon to break down the Dennis Schroder deal to Golden State, the Paul Reed waiver and what it could mean for Detroit's future, the NBA Cup and the Thunder-Rockets game, along with the 76ers no-good, very bad year of Injuries.

CHAPTERS:

02:13 - December movie recommendations w/ Bryce

06:25 - Bucks vs Hawks Recap

17:30 - Thunder vs Rockets Recap

34:55 - NBA CUP FINAL PREVIEW: Bucks vs Thunder

44:00 - Dennis Schroder traded from Brooklyn to the Golden State Warriors

55:30 - Paul Reed released by the Detroit Pistons

1:05:27 - Philadelphia 76ers lose rookie Jared McCain & Joel Embiid (again); season from hell continues

1:27:40 - A conversation about Ace Bailey; nitpicking or fair evaluation

1:50:56 - TRIVIA TIME w/ GMAC

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SPONSORS:

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• This episode of Game Theory is brought to you by BETTER HELP. If you're thinking of starting therapy, give Better Help a try. Visit https://BetterHelp.com/GAMETHEORY today to get 10 percent off your first month.
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Jimmy Butler has found himself in the middle of trade rumors again! Come join Bryce Simon and Sam Vecenie and they break down the constructions that work or don't work, and whether or not we buy it. Then, we'll revisit the Mikal Bridges trade with help from Andrew Claudio AKA GMAC of this show and Knicks Film School. Then we'll talk a bit about the NBA Cup and what we expect over the weekend!

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This episode of Game Theory is brought to you by BETTER HELP. If you're thinking of starting therapy, give Better Help a try. Visit https://BetterHelp.com/GAMETHEORY today to get 10 percent off your first month.

DUER is Built for Doing, with styles of stretch performance denim and lifestyle apparel for everyone in every season. Right now, my listeners get 20% off your first purchase when you use my exclusive URL: shopduer.com/GAMETHEORY

ROBINHOOD GOLD provides the privileges of the high net worth for any net worth, for just $5/month. The new gold standard is here with Robinhood Gold. Sign up at robinhood.com/gold Terms apply, for product specific disclosures visit robinhood.com/gold. Investing involves risk. Rate may change. Gold membership is offered by Robinhood Gold, LLC.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON THE GAME THEORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!

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In this episode of Game Theory, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon to first react to the latest headlines from the weekend, which included the Nuggets losing to the Wizards (snapping their 16-game losing streak) & the brutal injuries to Franz Wagner & Brandon Ingram. They also go through 5 different NBA players that they enjoy watching the most before being joined by GMAC for an intense round of Game Theory Trivia!

04:55 - Denver Nuggets LOSE to the Washington Wizardes, depite 56 points from Nikola Jokic

28:52 - Franz Wagner suffered a torn right oblique and is out indefinitely (Shams)

43:48 - Brandon Ingram has suffered a significant low left ankle sprain and is sidelined indefinitely (Shams)

59:13 - Our Favorite NBA Players To Watch!

1:43:48 - TRIVIA TIME! Sam vs GMAC!

Visit our partners over at PRIZEPICKS to go support the show! Download the app today and use code GAMETHEORY to get $50 instantly after you play your first $5 lineup! Use the code GAMETHEORY or visit this link to sign up: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/GAMETHEORY

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In this episode of Game Theory, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon for an early look at 2025 NBA offseason & how all potential free agents are currently playing. They also look ahead to the NBA Cup & answer questions submitted about the 2025 NBA Draft!

9:45 What does the 2025 NBA Free agency class look like?

12:30 LeBron and what's going on with the Lakers right now?

26:20 Jimmy Butler and what are the Heat's plans?

42:00 Kyrie, Harden, and if guard scorers will become more valuable if the league expands?

50:50 Brandon Ingram and what should the Pelicans do?

1:00:23 Myles Turner and Brook Lopez (and a few others)

1:15:30 Ja Morant going to stop dunking as much? presented by Robinhood!

1:22:00 NBA Cup quarters and what we're most looking forward to

1:33:00 NBA Draft Q and A

Visit our partners over at PRIZEPICKS to go support the show! Download the app today and use code GAMETHEORY to get $50 instantly after you play your first $5 lineup! Use the code GAMETHEORY or visit this link to sign up: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/GAMETHEORY

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In this episode of Game Theory, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon to give their quarter-season NBA awards picks & to discuss each race in detail for MVP, DPOY, All-NBA & much more!

CHAPTERS:

5:40 NBA Awards Intro for the Podcast Explainer

10:20 MVP

44:30 All-NBA

1:22:00 Defensive Player of the Year

1:31:00 All-Defense Teams

1:46:25 Most Improved Player, 6th Man of the Year, Coach of the Year

1:57:40 Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie

2:04:30 Trivia Time!

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In this episode of Game Theory, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon to go through 10 different questions about the NBA season, starring the Lakers, Celtics, Rockets, All-NBA, and 2025 NBA Draft!

CHAPTERS:

06:45 - HOW BIG OF AN ISSUE IS THE DEFENSIVE SIDE OF THE COURT FOR THE LAKERS?

14:52 - HOW BIG OF AN ISSUE IS THE DEFENSIVE SIDE OF THE COURT FOR THE KNICKS?

26:08 - WITH KRISTAPS PORZINGIS BACK, CAN ANYONE COMPETE WITH BOSTON?

34:14 - ARE THE HOUSTON ROCKETS A CONTENDER TO WIN A PLAYOFF SERIES THIS YEAR?

44:57 - HAVE THE MILWAUKEE BUCKS ACTUALLY FIGURED THINGS OUT NOW?

50:04 - WHO DO YOU THINK WILL BE THE PLAYER THAT MAKES ALL-NBA FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS SEASON?

58:17 - WHO IS THE PLAYER THAT YOU CAN REALISTICALLY SEE GETTING MOVED THAT WOULD SWING THE TITLE RACE MOST?

1:04:37 - AT LEAST ONE OF HOUSTON, DALLAS, MEMPHIS, PHOENIX, LA, GOLDEN STATE, DENVER AND MINNESOTA WILL NOT MAKE THE PLAYOFFS. WHO WILL THAT TEAM BE?

1:11:03 - WHO IS THE PROSPECT YOU ARE MOST INTRIGUED BY IN THE 2025 NBA DRAFT?

1:15:06 - WHO IS THE BIGGEST RISER FOR YOU SO FAR IN THE 2025 NBA DRAFT CYCLE?

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In this episode of Game Theory, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon to go through all the teams they've tuned in for the most on NBA League Pass through one month of the NBA season.

CHAPTERS:

07:40 - NBA League Pass Rankings! (Explained)

11:40 - Los Angeles Clippers

17:30 - Orlando Magic

30:49 - Denver Nuggets

37:13 - Houston Rockets

47:38 - San Antonio Spurs

57:27 - Cleveland Cavaliers

1:14:27 - Golden State Warriors

1:23:26 - Memphis Grizzlies

1:31:12 - OKC Thunder

1:40:33 - Los Angeles Lakers

1:49:08 - Honorable mentions w/ GMAC

1:52:45 - TRIVIA!

VISIT our partners over at PrizePicks to go support the show! Download the app today and use code GAMETHEORY to get $50 instantly after you play your first $5 lineup! Use the code GAMETHEORY or visit this link to sign up: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/GAMETHEORY

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In this episode of Game Theory, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon to go through several early NBA trade ideas setting a market for who might be available, which teams might be buyers & which teams might be sellers.

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DUER is Built for Doing, with styles of stretch performance denim and lifestyle apparel for everyone in every season. Right now, my listeners get 20% off your first purchase when you use my exclusive URL: shopduer.com/GAMETHEORY

ROBINHOOD GOLD provides the privileges of the high net worth for any net worth, for just $5/month. The new gold standard is here with Robinhood Gold. Sign up at robinhood.com/gold Terms apply, for product specific disclosures visit robinhood.com/gold. Investing involves risk. Rate may change. Gold membership is offered by Robinhood Gold, LLC.

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In this episode of Game Theory, Sam Vecenie is joined by Bryce Simon to go through the opposite end of the NBA standings & decide which teams they believe will finish w/ the bottom 8 records (as of now).

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DUER is Built for Doing, with styles of stretch performance denim and lifestyle apparel for everyone in every season. Right now, my listeners get 20% off your first purchase when you use my exclusive URL: shopduer.com/GAMETHEORY

ROBINHOOD GOLD provides the privileges of the high net worth for any net worth, for just $5/month. The new gold standard is here with Robinhood Gold. Sign up at robinhood.com/gold Terms apply, for product specific disclosures visit robinhood.com/gold. Investing involves risk. Rate may change. Gold membership is offered by Robinhood Gold, LLC.

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- Sam Vecenie, a Senior NBA Writer at The Athletic, talks all about basketball. From the NBA, to the NBA Draft, to college hoops and even some high school, Vecenie has you covered in this show.

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