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Who are the 20 best players in the NBA heading into next season? We're doing the impossible: a way-too-early ranking of the league's elite and debating which stars belong in each tier. We start with the true franchise carriers—Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, and Giannis Antetokounmpo—the superstars capable of dragging a team into contention. Then we break down the No. 1 options who can lead championship runs with the right supporting cast, including Luka Dončić, Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, and Jayson Tatum. We also discuss the players we still need to see more from, including Cade Cunningham, Donovan Mitchell, and Karl-Anthony Towns, plus rank a loaded wing group featuring Kawhi Leonard, Jalen Williams, and Jaylen Brown. Can Tyrese Maxey and Scottie Barnes save the East Play-In tier? And where do NBA legends Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James belong as they continue to defy Father Time? Plus, we reveal the stars who just missed the cut, including Bam Adebayo, Devin Booker, Jamal Murray, and Pascal Siakam.

Giannis is traded to the Miami Heat; NBA Draft analysis with Nathan Grubel, including top prospects and sleeper picks, on Real GM Radio.

Could the Boston Celtics actually be willing to trade Jaylen Brown for Giannis Antetokounmpo? On this episode of Good Take, Wes Goldberg and Mike Shearer react to the latest Giannis rumors and debate whether we're focusing on the wrong part of Boston's reported involvement. If the Celtics are serious, what would a realistic offer look like, and how does it compare to Miami's? Then it's time for Good Take. Wes makes the case that Darryn Peterson should be the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, while Mike unveils his "Changed My Mind" team featuring players who dramatically altered his perception this season. In the And-1 segment, Wes reveals his updated Top 10 NBA players heading into next season, including where Victor Wembanyama, Jalen Brunson, Luka Doncic, and Giannis rank after a wild year around the league. Finally, Summer 3-Way heads to Utah. The guys lay out a three-step plan to fix the Jazz, including a bold Lauri Markkanen trade, a Darryn Peterson draft strategy, and how to build around Walker Kessler and the team's young core.

The New York Knicks end a 53-year drought, capturing the NBA championship behind Jalen Brunson's rise and bold front-office moves. Can their wheeling-and-dealing become a league-winning blueprint? The episode spotlights the Knicks’ pivotal trades for Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges, the hiring of Mike Brown, and dramatic Finals comebacks against the San Antonio Spurs. Brunson’s dominance and the strategic assembly of a star-heavy roster spark a reexamination of team-building philosophies across the league. Wes Goldberg and Keith Parish debate the futures of the Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Milwaukee Bucks after playoff stumbles, spotlighting shifting power dynamics as emerging stars like Victor Wembanyama and Anthony Edwards challenge aging superstars. The conversation also unpacks the league’s evolving attitudes toward small guards, the revitalization of the Charlotte Hornets, and the impact of NBA Cup and tanking reforms. Can teams thrive by staying competitive, or is “the middle” still a dead end?

On this week's episode of Good Take, Wes Goldberg and Mike Shearer react to the latest NBA Finals game before bringing their best NBA takes of the week. First, Mike argues that the 2024 NBA Draft could make history for all the wrong reasons. Could this class produce just one All-Star, making it the weakest star-producing draft class in generations? Then Wes counters with a draft philosophy take of his own. As roster construction becomes increasingly difficult, are 3-and-D wings the single safest and smartest first-round investment an NBA team can make? The guys discuss player development, trade value, roster flexibility and why players in the Mikal Bridges and Desmond Bane mold have become some of the league's most valuable assets. Finally, it's time for another edition of Summer 3-Way, where Wes and Mike build a three-step plan to fix the Los Angeles Clippers. Should the Clippers stay patient with Kawhi Leonard? What should they do in the draft? And how can they maximize the roster after already making major moves at the trade deadline?

Wes Goldberg is joined by Dane Moore to analyze the NBA Finals after San Antonio’s Game 3 win, including what changed defensively and whether New York has an answer. They also examine Karl-Anthony Towns’ role in the series and discuss the small group of players who could someday be considered the NBA’s best player.

Wes Goldberg and Mike Shearer react to Game 1 of the NBA Finals before diving into their weekly best NBA takes, including a bold argument for Karl-Anthony Towns and a potential Ja Morant trade idea. They also break down how to fix the Oklahoma City Thunder after their Western Conference Finals loss.

What if we’re wrong about everything in the NBA Finals? We preview Spurs-Knicks from every angle, then we draft the playoff guys we trust most in a Game 7, and finish with fake trades that would absolutely break NBA Twitter. Dan Favale of Bleacher Report and the Hardwood Knocks podcast joins Wes Goldberg on RealGM Radio for a big-picture NBA Finals preview and offseason chaos episode. First, Wes and Dan ask: what if we’re wrong about Spurs-Knicks? Are we underrating San Antonio’s readiness with Victor Wembanyama already leading a Finals team? Are we still not taking the Knicks seriously enough after their run through the East? And what is the one Finals storyline nobody is talking about? Then, Wes and Dan draft the top playoff guys they would trust most in a Game 7 right now. This isn’t an MVP ranking or a best-player list — it’s about trust when the stakes are highest. Where do Wemby, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, LeBron James, Steph Curry and others land? Finally, they close with fake trades that would break NBA Twitter. RealGM Radio is your top spot for the best weekly NBA coverage. Subscribe to get RealM Radio with Wes Goldberg, the Double Dribble and Good Take every week. Monday: Double Dribble with Jared Dubin and Mo Dakhil Tuesday: RealGM Radio with Wes Goldberg Wednesday: Double Dribble with Jared Dubin and Mo Dakhil Thursday: Good Take with Wes Goldberg and Mike Shearer Subscribe to watch more RealGM Radio videos: youtube.com/@realgmradio FOLLOW REALGM ON SOCIAL RealGM on X/Twitter https://x.com/RealGM RealGM on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/realgmnba/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Wes Goldberg and Mike Shearer are back with Good Take on the RealGM Radio YouTube channel, starting with the latest playoff action before getting into their best NBA takes of the week. Wes argues that the twin-towers era may already be over before it ever really began. After teams like the Rockets, Timberwolves and Cavaliers struggled in the playoffs, are jumbo lineups being exposed? The NBA may still value rim protection, but the next wave of elite bigs — Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren and Evan Mobley — looks different from the traditional two-big builds teams used to counter Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid. Then, Mike explains why the Memphis Grizzlies may be the best-positioned team in the NBA Draft with the No. 3 pick, able to land a star prospect without the pressure of making the top decision. Plus, the guys say goodbye to the Cavaliers with three ways to fix Cleveland this offseason, including what the James Harden trade means, why Kenny Atkinson is returning, and how the Cavs should rethink their championship path.

The New York Knicks are headed to the NBA Finals, and their run raises a fascinating team-building question: how did they build a championship contender without relying on homegrown lottery picks? Wes Goldberg is joined by Gavin Schall of Locked On Knicks to break down how New York built its Finals team around Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges. Unlike past Knicks regimes that chased shortcuts with moves like Eddy Curry, Joakim Noah, Andrea Bargnani and Steve Francis, this version of the Knicks showed patience, adjusted the roster over time and built a real championship formula. Then, John Wilmes of RealGM joins to talk about the biggest NBA offseason questions. What should the Cleveland Cavaliers do after falling short? Where could Giannis Antetokounmpo or Kawhi Leonard land if they hit the trade market? What happens with Ja Morant? And which surprise stars — including Devin Booker, Joel Embiid, Kyrie Irving, Alperen Sengun and Zion Williamson — could become trade candidates?

Wes Goldberg and Mike Shearer are back with Good Take on the RealGM Radio, starting with their reactions to the Oklahoma City Thunder taking Game 2 of the Western Conference finals vs the San Antonio Spurs. Mike opens with a bold free agency prediction. Then Wes argues that NBA teams are realizing something important: it’s almost impossible to win a championship when your best player is over 30. From Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama, to Jalen Brunson and Donovan Mitchell, the league is shifting toward younger stars.

Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs opened the Western Conference Finals with a statement win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Wemby made it clear that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander winning MVP added fuel to the fire. Wes Goldberg breaks down Wembanyama’s 41-point, 24-rebound performance, the clutch shot that forced overtime, and how San Antonio’s defense made life difficult for SGA in Game 1. Then, Wes looks at the Thunder’s possible adjustments for Game 2, including how Oklahoma City tried to get SGA into more space and attack Wembanyama late in the game. After that, XJ of Locked On Knicks and Hot Hand Theory joins the show to break down the Knicks-Cavs series, including the key matchups, strategy questions and what to watch as the Eastern Conference Finals begin. Plus, Wes closes with NBA headlines: the Pelicans hiring Jamahl Mosley, the latest Giannis Antetokounmpo trade buzz, Kawhi Leonard being shopped to Eastern Conference contenders, and why Darryn Peterson may be getting overlooked in the NBA Draft conversation.

Wes Goldberg and Mike Shearer are back with Good Take on the RealGM Radio YouTube channel, starting with the Cavaliers’ overtime win over the Pistons. After Kenny Atkinson claimed Cleveland had the momentum in the series, Wes and Mike debate whether the Cavs are actually in control or if Detroit still has answers. Then it’s time for the week’s best NBA takes. Wes argues that everyone is talking about the San Antonio Spurs the wrong way. Victor Wembanyama is the headline, but Dylan Harper might be the missing piece who turns San Antonio into the NBA’s next great powerhouse. Could Wemby and Harper become the best long-term duo in the league — or even the next Shaq and Kobe? Mike brings a take on why Jalen Duren’s restricted free agency could become one of the most interesting storylines of the offseason. Plus, the And-1 take explains why the outrage over the Pacers losing their pick may be overblown.