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By Owen Pannell | KZA Sports The 2025 Big Ten football season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and unpredictable in recent memory. With 18 teams in the mix and a wide range of expectations, we’ve taken a closer look at each program’s schedule, projected record, and playoff chances. From Ohio State’s dominance to Illinois’ quiet push toward the top, this article breaks down what to expect from every Big Ten team this fall — and who might be making a serious run at the College Football Playoff. Illinois Fighting Illini Game 1 vs. Western Illinois – Win Game 2 at Duke – Loss Game 3 vs. Western Michigan – Win Game 4 at Indiana – Win Game 5 vs. USC – Win Game 6 at Purdue – Win Game 7 vs. Ohio State – Loss Game 8 at Washington – Loss Game 9 vs. Rutgers – Win Game 10 vs. Maryland – Win Game 11 at Wisconsin – Win Game 12 vs. Northwestern – Win 9-3 (7-2) Coming off a successful 9-3 season, Illinois is returning 16 starters and looks to get the program’s first CFP berth. 9-3 doesn’t get that done, however. I’ve got them losing tough road games against Duke and Washington, but 11-1 is possible for this team. Indiana Hoosiers Game 1 vs. Old Dominion – Win Game 2 vs. Kennesaw State – Win Game 3 vs. Indiana State – Win Game 4 vs. Illinois – Loss Game 5 at Iowa – Loss Game 6 at Oregon – Loss Game 7 vs. Michigan State – Win Game 8 vs. UCLA – Win Game 9 at Maryland – Win Game 10 at Penn State – Loss Game 11 vs. Wisconsin – Win Game 12 at Purdue – Loss 7-5 (4-5) Following a playoff berth, this would be a disappointment for the Hoosiers. They have no Ohio State on the schedule, but other than that, they have a very tough one. I do not foresee another Hoosier CFP appearance, even with this atrocious non-conference schedule. Iowa Hawkeyes Game 1 vs. Albany – Win Game 2 at Iowa State – Loss Game 3 vs. UMass – Win Game 4 at Rutgers – Win Game 5 vs. Indiana – Win Game 6 at Wisconsin – Win Game 7 vs. Penn State – Loss Game 8 vs. Minnesota – Win Game 9 vs. Oregon – Loss Game 10 at USC – Win Game 11 vs. Michigan State – Win Game 12 at Nebraska – Loss 8-4 (6-3) This would be the exact record as last year for the Hawkeyes. I’ve got them losing a tough one on the road vs. rival Iowa State, and some tough Big Ten games. They have a solid roster, returning a lot of talent, but not good enough to be a playoff team. Maryland Terrapins Game 1 vs. FAU – Win Game 2 vs. NIU – Win Game 3 vs. Towson – Win Game 4 at Wisconsin – Loss Game 5 vs. Washington – Loss Game 6 vs. Nebraska – Loss Game 7 at UCLA – Loss Game 8 vs. Indiana – Loss Game 9 at Rutgers – Loss Game 10 at Illinois – Loss Game 11 vs. Michigan – Loss Game 12 vs. Michigan State – Loss 3-9 (0-9) This will not be a good season for the Terps, I’m afraid. It’s hard for me to see a world where Coach Mike Locksley remains the HC after this year. It’s time they go in a new direction. They have one of the top recruits in the 2026 cycle, so that’s something to look forward to. Michigan State Spartans Game 1 vs. Western Michigan – Win Game 2 vs. Boston College – Win Game 3 vs. Youngstown State – Win Game 4 at USC – Win Game 5 at Nebraska – Loss Game 6 vs. UCLA – Win Game 7 at Indiana – Loss Game 8 vs. Michigan – Loss Game 9 at Minnesota – Win Game 10 vs. Penn State – Loss Game 11 at Iowa – Loss Game 12 vs. Maryland – Win 7-5 (4-5) 7-5 is not terrible for the Spartans. It would be an improvement from last year, and they have a very difficult schedule this year. I actually really like this team, and a ceiling of 9-3 is not impossible. Michigan Wolverines Game 1 vs. New Mexico – Win Game 2 at Oklahoma – Loss Game 3 vs. Central Michigan – Win Game 4 at Nebraska – Win Game 5 vs. Wisconsin – Win Game 6 at USC – Win Game 7 vs. Washington – Loss Game 8 at Michigan State – Win Game 9 vs. Purdue – Win Game 10 at Northwestern – Win Game 11 at Maryland – Win Game 12 vs. Ohio State – Loss 9-3 (7-2) I think this Michigan team is actually really good. I don’t think they are better than Oklahoma or Ohio State, but the rest of their schedule is relatively easy. However, I’ve got them dropping the Washington game, which is sandwiched between two difficult road games against USC and Michigan State. If they avoid losing that, and win one of either OU or OSU, this is a playoff team. Minnesota Golden Gophers Game 1 vs. Buffalo – Win Game 2 vs. Northwestern State – Win Game 3 at California – Win Game 4 vs. Rutgers – Win Game 5 at Ohio State – Loss Game 6 vs. Purdue – Win Game 7 vs. Nebraska – Loss Game 8 vs. Iowa – Loss Game 9 vs. Michigan State – Loss Game 10 at Oregon – Loss Game 11 at Northwestern – Loss Game 12 vs. Wisconsin – Win 6-6 (3-6) If Minnesota had a good QB on the roster, this would be a different story. However, their QB play is a huge question mark going into the season. Running backs Darius Taylor and AJ Turner are studs, so they should be able to carry them to some wins. I’ve got them barely being bowl eligible, but not the worst season ever. Nebraska Cornhuskers Game 1 vs. Cincinnati – Win Game 2 vs. Akron – Win Game 3 vs. Houston Christian – Win Game 4 vs. Michigan – Loss Game 5 vs. Michigan State – Win Game 6 at Maryland – Win Game 7 at Minnesota – Win Game 8 vs. Northwestern – Win Game 9 vs. USC – Win Game 10 at UCLA – Loss Game 11 at Penn State – Loss Game 12 vs. Iowa – Win 9-3 (6-3) This is a good Cornhusker team. Paired with their easy schedule, I think they can rattle off some wins. Dylan Raiola seems primed for a big year 2, and they have decent weapons around him with a solid defense. I’ve got them losing to UCLA in a look-ahead game, but I can see them going anywhere from 5-7 to 10-2. Northwestern Wildcats Game 1 at Tulane – Loss Game 2 vs. Western Illinois – Win Game 3 vs. Oregon – Loss Game 4 vs. UCLA – Win Game 5 vs. UL Monroe – Win Game 6 at Penn State – Loss Game 7 vs. Purdue – Win Game 8 at Nebraska – Loss Game 9 at USC – Loss Game 10 vs. Michigan – Loss Game 11 vs. Minnesota – Win Game 12 at Illinois – Loss 5-7 (3-6) The Wildcats added talented SMU QB Preston Stone in the portal, and I expect him to make their offense better. However, this team is not a bowl team to me, so I’ve got them at 5-7, which isn’t bad for this difficult schedule. Ohio State Buckeyes Game 1 vs. Texas – Win Game 2 vs. Grambling – Win Game 3 vs. Ohio – Win Game 4 at Washington – Win Game 5 vs. Minnesota – Win Game 6 at Illinois – Win Game 7 at Wisconsin – Win Game 8 vs. Penn State – Win Game 9 at Purdue – Win Game 10 vs. UCLA – Win Game 11 vs. Rutgers – Win Game 12 at Michigan – Win 12-0 (9-0) Coming off a national title, the confidence in Columbus is very high. They have one of the most talented rosters in the country. If they can get good QB play, they could be in perfect position for a 2-peat. They have 3 losable games — vs. Texas, vs. Penn State, and at Michigan. I’ve got them winning all 3 though. This is gonna be a scary team once again. Oregon Ducks Game 1 vs. Montana State – Win Game 2 vs. Oklahoma State – Win Game 3 at Northwestern – Win Game 4 vs. Oregon State – Win Game 5 at Penn State – Loss Game 6 vs. Indiana – Win Game 7 at Rutgers – Win Game 8 vs. Wisconsin – Win Game 9 at Iowa – Win Game 10 vs. Minnesota – Win Game 11 vs. USC – Win Game 12 at Washington – Win 11-1 (8-1) Oregon lost a lot of talent from last season, but they also gained a bunch. RB Makhi Hughes was one of the top in the portal, and true freshman wide receiver Dakorian Moore was the top WR in the class. QB Dante Moore seems primed for a breakout season, and the Ducks should once again be able to make a playoff appearance. Penn State Nittany Lions Game 1 vs. Nevada – Win Game 2 vs. FIU – Win Game 3 vs. Villanova – Win Game 4 vs. Oregon – Win Game 5 at UCLA – Win Game 6 vs. Northwestern – Win Game 7 at Iowa – Win Game 8 at Ohio State – Loss Game 9 vs. Indiana – Win Game 10 at Michigan State – Win Game 11 vs. Nebraska – Win Game 12 at Rutgers – Win 11-1 (8-1) This is the best Penn State team we’ve seen in years. Drew Allar is one of the best quarterbacks in the country, and the RB duo of Singleton and Allen will be lethal. I think they lose in Columbus to the Buckeyes, but other than that go undefeated with a CFP berth. Purdue Boilermakers Game 1 vs. Ball State – Win Game 2 vs. Southern Illinois – Win Game 3 vs. USC – Loss Game 4 at Notre Dame – Loss Game 5 vs. Illinois – Loss Game 6 at Minnesota – Loss Game 7 at Northwestern – Loss Game 8 vs. Rutgers – Loss Game 9 at Michigan – Loss Game 10 vs. Ohio State – Loss Game 11 at Washington – Loss Game 12 vs. Indiana – Loss 2-10 (0-9) Purdue is frankly just terrible. They have a very hard schedule, and with a very poor roster, I’ve got them winning only 2 games. They have a couple of exciting pieces here and there, but I predict this will be a long season for the folks in West Lafayette. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Game 1 vs. Ohio – Win Game 2 vs. Miami (OH) – Win Game 3 vs. Norfolk State – Win Game 4 vs. Iowa – Loss Game 5 at Minnesota – Loss Game 6 at Washington – Loss Game 7 vs. Oregon – Loss Game 8 at Purdue – Win Game 9 at Illinois – Loss Game 10 vs. Maryland – Win Game 11 at Ohio State – Loss Game 12 vs. Penn State – Loss 5-7 (2-7) This would come as a disappointment for Rutgers fans, following a successful 7-5 season. It’s not that they have a bad team — their schedule is just very difficult. There is definitely a path to bowl eligibility, though. UCLA Bruins Game 1 vs. Utah – Loss Game 2 at UNLV – Win Game 3 vs. New Mexico – Win Game 4 at Northwestern – Loss Game 5 vs. Penn State – Loss Game 6 at Michigan State – Loss Game 7 vs. Maryland – Win Game 8 at Indiana – Loss Game 9 vs. Nebraska – Win Game 10 at Ohio State – Loss Game 11 vs. Washington – Loss Game 12 at USC – Win 5-7 (3-6) Not being bowl eligible after landing QB Nico Iamaleava would be painful for the Bruins, but the team around him just isn’t good enough. Plus, I’m not sure the culture is there right now — they have some work to do. I do have them getting a win over rival USC, so that’s a bright side. USC Trojans Game 1 vs. Missouri State – Win Game 2 vs. Georgia Southern – Win Game 3 at Purdue – Win Game 4 vs. Michigan State – Loss Game 5 at Illinois – Loss Game 6 vs. Michigan – Loss Game 7 at Notre Dame – Loss Game 8 at Nebraska – Loss Game 9 vs. Northwestern – Win Game 10 vs. Iowa – Loss Game 11 at Oregon – Loss Game 12 vs. UCLA – Loss 4-8 (2-7) Disaster strikes the Trojans — Lincoln Riley is fired after an atrocious 4-8 season. USC plays a difficult schedule with a poor roster, which is not a recipe for success. I predict this will be the last year of the Lincoln Riley era, and they will hit the reset button for the future. Washington Huskies Game 1 vs. Colorado State – Win Game 2 vs. UC Davis – Win Game 3 at Washington State – Win Game 4 vs. Ohio State – Loss Game 5 at Maryland – Win Game 6 vs. Rutgers – Win Game 7 at Michigan – Win Game 8 vs. Illinois – Win Game 9 at Wisconsin – Win Game 10 vs. Purdue – Win Game 11 at UCLA – Win Game 12 vs. Oregon – Loss 10-2 (7-2) I LOVE this Washington team next year. I’ve got them going 10-2, with a solid shot at a playoff berth. Demond Williams Jr. is going to have an outstanding year, and with a good offense around him, I think things come together for the Huskies in year 2 of the Jedd Fisch era. Wisconsin Badgers Game 1 vs. Miami (OH) – Win Game 2 vs. Middle Tennessee State – Win Game 3 at Alabama – Loss Game 4 vs. Maryland – Win Game 5 at Michigan – Loss Game 6 vs. Iowa – Loss Game 7 vs. Ohio State – Loss Game 8 at Oregon – Loss Game 9 vs. Washington – Loss Game 10 at Indiana – Loss Game 11 vs. Illinois – Loss Game 12 at Minnesota – Loss 3-9 (1-8) Man, this schedule is BRUTAL. This might end Luke Fickell’s time in Madison. The roster isn’t on the same level as the teams they play. From week 3 on, there are really no easy games, and it will definitely take a toll — physically and mentally — which I believe will lead to a very poor season for the Badgers. Standings: Ohio State – 9-0 (12-0) Penn State – 8-1 (11-1) Oregon – 8-1 (11-1) Washington – 7-2 (10-2) Illinois – 7-2 (9-3) Michigan – 7-2 (9-3) Nebraska – 6-3 (9-3) Iowa – 6-3 (8-4) Indiana – 4-5 (7-5) Michigan State – 4-5 (7-5) Northwestern – 3-6 (5-7) Minnesota – 3-6 (6-6) UCLA – 3-6 (5-7) Rutgers – 2-7 (5-7) USC – 2-7 (4-8) Wisconsin – 1-8 (3-9) Purdue – 0-9 (2-10) Maryland – 0-9 (3-9) Playoff Chances Locks: Ohio State Penn State Likely: Oregon 50-50: Washington Long shot: Illinois Michigan Nebraska You can find Owen Pannell on X here. Shop KZA Exclusive offers here.

By Owen Pannell | KZA Sports As the NBA offseason enters a quiet stretch and the excitement of free agency begins to fade, teams are shifting their focus toward finalizing rosters and addressing lingering weaknesses. While most of the big moves have already been made, there’s still time for front offices to get creative and make meaningful upgrades before the season tips off. In this piece, we’ll explore one realistic trade each team could pursue to improve their situation—whether that means bolstering a playoff push, reshaping a rebuilding effort, or simply fine-tuning the supporting cast. Atlanta Hawks Hawks get: Dwight Powell 2030 2nd-round pick (via PHI) Mavericks get: Vit Krejci I know, real banger to start off here. Atlanta has had a great offseason so far, and they really don’t need to do anything else. In this trade, they get a little more big man depth, which is helpful because they are relatively thin there with injury-prone guys at the top. They only have to give up their third-string PG, and they also bring in a pick that could be in the low 30s. The Mavs would do this to help with their guard issues. Boston Celtics Celtics get: Jusuf Nurkić (Utah) Jaime Jaquez Jr. (Miami) Pelle Larsson (Miami) 2026 1st-round pick (Miami) Heat get: Derrick White (Boston) Jazz get: Terry Rozier (Miami) 2032 2nd-round pick (Miami) The Celtics do this to save more money, get an expiring deal in Nurkić, get a valuable young player in Jaime Jaquez, take a flyer on a possible good 3&D wing, and get a first that could very well be a lottery pick. Losing Derrick White hurts, but this is going to be a throwaway season anyway, so they might as well start preparing for the future. The Heat would become contenders in the East with this trade—it’s a high-risk, high-reward deal for Miami. Utah gets a second-round pick for paying $7 million more this year. They’d do that. Brooklyn Nets Nets get: Obi Toppin Jarace Walker 2027 lottery-protected 1st-round pick Pacers get: Nic Claxton With Brooklyn trying to bottom out for next year’s draft, this is a great way to get assets for one of their better players. It’s a no-brainer for them. The Pacers fill the hole Myles Turner left, and they’re not paying too big of a price. Charlotte Hornets Hornets get: Matisse Thybulle 2031 2nd-round pick Blazers get: Grant Williams The Hornets would do this to get an expiring contract and a tiny bit of draft capital for Grant Williams, who they do not need on their roster. Portland gets better from this, and it seems as if they want to compete for a playoff spot soon. Chicago Bulls Bulls get: Robert Williams III 2028 2nd-round pick 2032 2nd-round pick Trail Blazers get: Jalen Smith Chicago trades a bench big for an expiring contract and a couple of draft assets. They would have three expiring contracts at the center position, which gives them options on how to address the room going forward. The Trail Blazers get a young backup big man for very cheap, an injury-prone center, and two unvaluable picks. Cleveland Cavaliers Cavs get: 2031 2nd-round pick (own) Celtics get: 2026 2nd-round pick Cleveland is in the second apron, so it is very hard for them to make any trades. They would do this to get their own future second-round pick back, in case things go wrong and it becomes valuable, while the Celtics are happy to move up five years, even though it will likely be in the 50s in next year’s draft. Dallas Mavericks Mavs get: Malik Monk Kings get: PJ Washington Caleb Martin Dallas gets a very talented guard who has the potential to average 20 points per game if he gets enough shots, and they give up two wings—positions they are already deep at. The Kings would do this because they need wings, but they have plenty of guard depth. Denver Nuggets Nuggets get: 2031 top-10 protected 2nd-round pick Jazz get: Zeke Nnaji Yes, this is a very boring trade, but the Nuggets don’t have anything else to do. The only move they could make is getting off the Zeke Nnaji contract, which the Jazz would take a flyer on for a very low price. Detroit Pistons Pistons get: Scotty Pippen Jr. Grizzlies get: Marcus Sasser 2026 1st-round pick swap 2027 2nd-round pick (via MIL) 2031 2nd-round pick (via DAL) This is probably a reach, but the Pistons don’t really have anything they need. However, they could improve their backup PG position. Pippen is a great option for now and the future, and Memphis would want a good haul back—but may be willing to part with him after the recent addition of Ty Jerome. Golden State Warriors Warriors get: Walker Kessler Jazz get: Moses Moody 2028 top-3 protected 1st-round pick 2030 2nd-round pick This would be a home run trade for Golden State, in my opinion. They desperately need a center, and Kessler is arguably the best one on the market right now. They have to give up a few valuable assets, but it’s worth it to improve the team for Steph’s final years. With the recent emergence of Kyle Filipowski, the Jazz don’t need Kessler as much, and for a good offer like this, they would send him out. Houston Rockets Rockets get: 2029 1st-round pick (via NYK) 2032 1st-round pick (via DEN) Nets get: 2027 swap rights (BRK-HOU) This is a win-win trade. The Nets do this so they can control their own destiny and tank in the 2026–27 season, while the Rockets get two extremely valuable first-rounders. Indiana Pacers Pacers get: Nick Richards Ryan Dunn Suns get: Obi Toppin Here, the Pacers would get a much-needed center and a very promising young wing defender, while also clearing up space for Jarace Walker to grow in what will likely be a throwaway season. The Suns get a position of need for not too expensive a price—this would be a great trade for both sides. LA Clippers Clippers get: 2028 2nd-round pick Thunder get: 2031 2nd-round pick The Clippers have no 2028 draft picks currently, and the Thunder currently have four. So OKC sends the Clippers their 2nd-rounder in 2028, and LA sends the Thunder their 2031 2nd-rounder to help spread out OKC’s draft capital. LA Lakers Lakers get: Walker Kessler Jazz get: Dalton Knecht 2031 1st-round pick We’ve got the second trade scenario for Walker Kessler here, but it’s a great option for the Lakers. Yes, they just signed Deandre Ayton, but Kessler is a much better player, and this is a great opportunity for LA. The Jazz get a very valuable pick and a good young player in Knecht—even though he has been terrible in the Summer League. Memphis Grizzlies Grizzlies get: DeMar DeRozan Terence Davis Kings get: Brandon Clarke John Konchar Vince Williams Jr. 2026 1st-round pick If the Grizzlies want to go all in on this core, this is a good trade for them. They definitely become a playoff team in my eyes with this, and they hardly give up any future assets, with the 2026 first likely being in the late teens or early 20s. The Kings realistically need to start tearing it down, and this is a good place to start—getting some solid assets for a 35-year-old. Miami Heat Heat get: Coby White Bulls get: Nikola Jović 2029 1st-round pick Miami always wants to go all in, and getting a good, young PG to pair with Herro and Adebayo would be great. The price is pretty steep, but if they want to win this year, it’s worth it. The Bulls would get a very valuable pick and a valuable young player in return for a PG they’re fine parting ways with—especially if they re-sign Josh Giddey. Milwaukee Bucks Bucks get: Malik Monk Kings get: Kyle Kuzma Tyler Smith 2031 1st-round pick In one final move to try and win with Giannis, the Bucks get a very nice guard who can help take the load off Giannis offensively. They are happy to get rid of Kuzma, Smith hasn’t been anything so far, and they are willing to send out their valuable 2031 first for a better chance at a championship. We’ve had multiple Kings trades so far, and this is the second one for Monk—but they get a great first-rounder in this trade, and they would do that. Minnesota Timberwolves Timberwolves get: CJ McCollum Wizards get: Rudy Gobert 2028 1st-round pick swap 2032 1st-round pick swap 2026 2nd-round pick (via DEN or GS) This is sort of crazy, but it makes sense when you think about it. Minnesota desperately needs a secondary ball handler—especially in the playoffs—and CJ McCollum is perfect for that. He is also an expiring contract, which is very valuable in today’s NBA. They get off Gobert’s massive contract, and they have Naz Reid to replace him. The Wizards get solid draft assets for taking on Gobert’s deal, but if Gobert can help Alex Sarr reach his defensive potential, that would be great for Washington. New Orleans Pelicans Pelicans get: Miles Bridges Tidjane Salaun 2027 1st-round pick 2027 top-2 protected 1st-round pick (via DAL) 2030 1st-round pick 2031 2nd-round pick (via MIL) Hornets get: Zion Williamson This would be a MASSIVE trade. From the Pelicans’ side of things, they realize Zion is not a good long-term piece for them, and they need to try again. They get good assets for him and a solid win-now player to try and make a surprise playoff appearance this year (they do not own swaps on their pick). The Hornets do this to pair an electric high-flyer with LaMelo Ball, which would make for an absolutely insane highlight duo. The problem is they are both extremely injury-prone. However, they see that the East is open and want to try to make a win-now push with their good young core. New York Knicks Knicks get: Jalen Wilson Nets get: Pacôme Dadiet 2026 2nd-round pick (via ORL, DET, or MIL) 2028 top-45 protected 2nd-round pick (via BOS) Dadiet looked awful last season. The Knicks swap him for a solid bench player in Jalen Wilson, while the Nets can give Dadiet some playing time and see if he can develop—and snag some draft assets in the process. Oklahoma City Thunder Thunder get: 2031 2nd-round pick (via LAL) 2032 2nd-round pick swap Nets get: Ousmane Dieng This trade would open up a roster spot for the Thunder, where they could sign Brooks Barnhizer or Branden Carlson to a full-time contract—or even sign a free agent (like Russell Westbrook). The Nets pay a very cheap price for a former lottery pick who still has a lot of potential. Orlando Magic Magic get: Matisse Thybulle Kris Murray 2027 2nd-round pick (CHA owns swap rights) Trail Blazers get: Jonathan Isaac The Magic are quickly becoming one of the most expensive teams in the NBA, so in this trade, they get rid of a decently sized contract and pick up a good 3&D wing on an expiring deal, along with a couple other small assets. The Trail Blazers improve their defense for cheap and get forward depth where they are thin. Philadelphia 76ers 76ers get: Andrew Wiggins Terry Rozier Heat get: Paul George Jared McCain 2027 1st-round pick Philly gets off the terrible Paul George contract and brings in a good wing to replace him and an expiring deal. It is expensive, though—giving up very talented second-year player Jared McCain and a 2027 first-rounder. The Heat do this in hopes that PG will find himself again, and they get two great assets for the future. Phoenix Suns Suns get: Vit Krejci 2030 top-40 protected 2nd-round pick Hawks get: Nick Richards The Suns get a decent backup PG for their third-string center, and the Hawks get center depth to prepare for the injuries that will inevitably come. Win-win. Portland Trail Blazers Trail Blazers get: Tyler Smith Bucks get: Duop Reath 2027 2nd-round pick (CHA owns right to swap) The Blazers have a bunch of 2027 seconds, so they use one to take a flyer on a guy who could possibly contribute in a couple years. The Bucks get a low-minutes backup big who could be of some use, and a second-round pick—which they have few of. Sacramento Kings Kings get: Julian Phillips Bulls get: Terence Davis 2026 2nd-round pick (via CHA) Sacramento gets a wing—which they need depth at—and the Bulls get a draft pick in the upcoming draft. Simple but effective trade. San Antonio Spurs Spurs get: Giannis Antetokounmpo Bucks get: Stephon Castle Harrison Barnes Keldon Johnson 2026 1st-round pick swap rights (ATL-SAS) 2027 1st-round pick (via ATL) 2029 1st-round pick 2030 1st-round pick swap rights (DAL-MIN) 2032 1st-round pick 2026 2nd-round pick (via UTA) 2029 2nd-round pick (via LAC) 2030 2nd-round pick (via CLE) Why not? If the Spurs got Giannis, they could very well be on the same level as OKC on top of the NBA, and they have the assets to make it happen. The Bucks don’t want to trade Giannis, but if they got this offer it would be VERY hard to refuse. This is very unlikely to happen (this summer at least), but it’s not impossible—and would be a win for both sides. Toronto Raptors Raptors get: GG Jackson Grizzlies get: Ochai Agbaji The very rare 1-for-1 trade. The Raptors have a bunch of young guards on their bench, so they are happy to trade one for a young wing with potential. The Grizzlies do this because Agbaji is far more of a win-now player than Jackson, and they are in win-now mode. Utah Jazz Jazz get: Paul George Jared McCain 2027 1st-round pick 2028 1st-round pick (via LAC) 2031 1st-round pick 76ers get: Lauri Markkanen Yes, I could have used this for the 76ers trade. However, this is sort of a perfect scenario for Utah, so I’m using it for their trade. If they could get three firsts and a great young player for trading Lauri and taking PG’s terrible contract, that’s a huge win. The 76ers would want to give less, but this isn’t impossible. Getting Markkanen is a great idea for them—they would just likely want to only send out two firsts or keep McCain. Washington Wizards Wizards get: Nick Richards Oso Ighodaro 2029 2nd-round pick Suns get: Corey Kispert Washington would do this since they have a plethora of wings, and Kispert is getting older. They get a solid backup center (yes, I’ve put Nick Richards in so many trades) and a decent young player. The Suns would be happy to get a good shooter in Kispert, so they wouldn’t mind paying this price. From blockbuster deals to subtle roster tweaks, these 30 trades give every NBA team a fresh direction—whether it's chasing a title, rebuilding for the future, or just shaking things up. While most of these moves are hypothetical, they’re all grounded in strategy, need, and a bit of chaos. One thing’s for sure: if even a few of these deals went down, the league would never look the same. You can find Owen Pannell on X here. Shop the Official NBA Store here.

By Owen Pannell | KZA Sports The Captain. The Barnanimal. Caruso’s Apprentice. Captain Brooks. The Barn Bandit. Whatever nickname you choose, one thing is clear — Brooks Barnhizer has already made a name for himself in Oklahoma City. Selected in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft out of Northwestern, Barnhizer wasted no time endearing himself to Thunder fans. With his relentless motor, bruising toughness, and elite defensive instincts, he embodies everything OKC stands for. He’s quickly becoming the kind of high-impact role player every championship team needs — one who doesn’t demand the spotlight but thrives in the margins. As the reigning NBA champions look to build a dynasty, Barnhizer looks like a perfect fit to help bring even more banners to Oklahoma. From Lafayette to the League Growing up in Lafayette, Indiana, Barnhizer didn’t get the attention he wanted from his hometown school, the Purdue Boilermakers. This led him to commit to the Northwestern Wildcats, where he found his home. He really broke out during his junior season and quickly became a fan favorite. He averaged 14.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and nearly 3 stocks per game, earning him All-Big Ten Third Team and All-Big Ten Defensive Team honors. His senior season was shortened due to injury, but he still averaged 17.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 3.3 stocks per game. His toughness and hustle were his calling cards — demonstrated by stories like him losing his front teeth midgame and continuing to play. All of this got him noticed by Sam Presti and the Oklahoma City Thunder, who selected him with the 44th overall pick in the 2025 draft. Winning Over Thunder Nation Some Thunder fans were skeptical of the pick at first, believing there were more talented players still on the board. But after watching his tape, it didn’t take long for us to fall in love. His relentless hustle, defensive intensity, team-first attitude, and iconic mustache already feel like a perfect fit for OKC culture. Summer League has only reinforced that belief — he’s had two games with six steals and is averaging four stocks per game. His rebounding has been just as impressive; it feels like he’s grabbing every board in sight. He’s been a major factor in the Thunder’s 3-0 start in Las Vegas, with a big game tonight against the Pelicans and a playoff spot on the line. Built for a Dynasty The “Barn Bandit” is already becoming a fan favorite, and it’s easy to see why. Every great team needs elite role players — guys who do the dirty work, bring energy every night, and make life easier for the stars. Brooks has all the makings of becoming one of those essential glue guys for a future Thunder dynasty. His relentless hustle, defensive versatility, and nose for the ball are traits that never go out of style, especially on a team built on unselfishness, toughness, and development. And the best part? He’s just getting started. Surrounded by a core of stars — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams — not to mention the coaching staff and developmental infrastructure OKC is known for, Brooks is in the perfect environment to grow. He has countless examples of what it takes to succeed at the highest level, and he’s the type of player who’s going to soak it all in. With each game, he looks more confident, more comfortable, and more locked in. The fanbase isn’t just noticing — they’re rallying behind him. EVERYONE is hyped for his future in Oklahoma City, and if he continues on this trajectory, he won’t just be a contributor… he’ll be a cornerstone in one of the most exciting young dynasties the NBA has seen in years. You can find Owen Pannell on X here. Shop the Official NBA Store here.

By Owen Pannell | KZA Sports The Big 12 is entering a new era in 2025—one defined by fresh faces, bold coaches, and a wide-open path to the College Football Playoff. With traditional powers reloading, up-and-comers surging, and a conference title race that feels as unpredictable as ever, this season has all the makings of a classic. From Arizona State’s attempt at a title defense to Texas Tech’s complete roster and the chaos brewing in the middle tier, here’s a full breakdown of every team’s schedule, record prediction, and outlook for the year ahead. Arizona Wildcats Game 1 vs Hawaii - Win Game 2 vs Weber State - Win Game 3 vs Kansas State - Loss Game 4 at Iowa State - Loss Game 5 vs Oklahoma State - Win Game 6 vs BYU - Loss Game 7 at Houston - Loss Game 8 at Colorado - Loss Game 9 vs Kansas - Win Game 10 at Cincinnati - Loss Game 11 vs Baylor - Loss Game 12 at Arizona State - Loss 4-8 (2-7) There was a ton of hype for Arizona going into last season. However, they did not meet the expectations, winning a measly 4 games. Noah Fifita was bad, and after losing his top target to the draft there’s no reason to believe he’ll be better. I expect another bad year for the Wildcats. Arizona State Sun Devils Game 1 vs N Arizona - Win Game 2 at Mississippi State - Win Game 3 vs Texas State - Win Game 4 at Baylor - Win Game 5 vs TCU - Win Game 6 at Utah - Win Game 7 vs Texas Tech - Win Game 8 vs Houston - Win Game 9 at Iowa State - Loss Game 10 vs West Virginia - Win Game 11 at Colorado - Win Game 12 vs Arizona - Win 11-1 (8-1) Arizona State returns the best QB and WR in the Big 12. After nearly beating Texas in the CFP last season, the folks in Tempe believe they have something special. HC Kenny Dillingham is one of the best up and coming coaches in the sport, and I expect big things from the Sun Devils in 2025. BYU Cougars Game 1 vs Portland State - Win Game 2 vs Stanford - Win Game 3 at East Carolina - Win Game 4 at Colorado - Loss Game 5 vs West Virginia - Loss Game 6 at Arizona - Win Game 7 vs Utah - Loss Game 8 at Iowa State - Loss Game 9 at Texas Tech - Loss Game 10 vs TCU - Loss Game 11 at Cincinnati - Win Game 12 vs UCF - Win 6-6 (3-6 ) After a great 2024 season for the Cougars, their star QB Jake Retzlaff is no longer on the team. Last year was a bit of a fluke in my opinion, and I expect a drop off, with a worse roster and a pretty difficult schedule. Baylor Bears Game 1 vs Auburn - Loss Game 2 at SMU - Loss Game 3 vs Samford - Win Game 4 vs Arizona State - Loss Game 5 at Oklahoma State - Win Game 6 vs Kansas State - Win Game 7 at TCU - Loss Game 8 at Cincinnati - Win Game 9 vs UCF - Win Game 10 vs Utah - Win Game 11 at Arizona - Win Game 12 vs Houston - Win 8-4 (7-2) Baylor has a good squad this year, unfortunately for them they have a very difficult first part of the schedule. I’ve got them going 1-3 in their first 4 games, but if they can win a couple more of those, don’t sleep on them making the CFP. Cincinnati Bearcats Game 1 vs Nebraska - Loss Game 2 vs Bowling Green - Win Game 3 vs Northwestern State - Win Game 4 at Kansas - Loss Game 5 vs Iowa State - Win Game 6 vs UCF - Win Game 7 at Oklahoma State - Win Game 8 vs Baylor - Loss Game 9 at Utah - Loss Game 10 vs Arizona - Win Game 11 vs BYU - Loss Game 12 at TCU - Loss 6-6 (4-5) The Bearcats haven’t been great in the Post-Fickell era. Coming off a 5-7 season, they are looking to bounce back into bowl contention. I can see them doing that, but not much else. They have a great DT in Dontay Corleone, and a solid transfer RB Tawee Walker, but nobody else I’m super excited about on this team. I don’t believe this will be the year Cincy gets back to the CFP. Colorado Buffaloes Game 1 vs Georgia Tech - Loss Game 2 vs Delaware - Win Game 3 at Houston - Win Game 4 vs Wyoming - Win Game 5 vs BYU - Win Game 6 at TCU - Loss Game 7 vs Iowa State - Win Game 8 at Utah - Win Game 9 vs Arizona - Win Game 10 at West Virginia - Loss Game 11 vs Arizona State - Loss Game 12 at Kansas State - Loss 7-5 (5-4) Coach Prime is the king of the transfer portal. Adding a top 3 portal QB in my opinion in Kaidon Salter is huge, they also revamped their offensive line and added some other key pieces, but I don’t know if it’s enough to replace all that they lost, mainly Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter. I have them going 7-5, but I can definitely see this team going 9-3. Houston Cougars Game 1 vs SF Austin - Win Game 2 at Rice - Win Game 3 vs Colorado - Loss Game 4 at Oregon State - Win Game 5 vs Texas Tech - Loss Game 6 at Oklahoma State - Win Game 7 vs Arizona - Win Game 8 at Arizona State - Loss Game 9 vs West Virginia - Loss Game 10 at UCF - Win Game 11 vs TCU - Loss Game 12 at Baylor - Loss 6-6 (3-6) The Cougars brought in talented QB Conner Weigman, and top transfer TE Tanner Koziol. I expect them to be good, not great next year. Finishing 6-6 would be an improvement, but they want better. They have been recruiting nicely, so this is a step in the right direction. Iowa State Cyclones Game 1 vs Kansas State - Loss Game 2 vs South Dakota - Win Game 3 vs Iowa - Win Game 4 at Arkansas State - Win Game 5 vs Arizona - Win Game 6 at Cincinnati - Loss Game 7 at Colorado - Loss Game 8 vs BYU - Win Game 9 vs Arizona State - Win Game 10 at TCU - Loss Game 11 vs Kansas - Win Game 12 at Oklahoma State - Win 8-4 (5-4) Matt Campbell has a solid squad this year who could make some noise in the Big 12. I love QB Rocco Becht, and they’ve got some other solid pieces around him, but they have a very tough schedule, and it will be hard to win the conference. They can definitely upset some teams though (like I have them doing to Arizona State) and who knows, the Big 12 is nuts so maybe they could make a run. I’ve got them going 8-4, but with this schedule, they could be way better or way worse. Kansas Jayhawks Game 1 vs Fresno State - Win Game 2 vs Wagner - Win Game 3 at Missouri - Loss Game 4 vs West Virginia - Win Game 5 vs Cincinnati - Win Game 6 at UCF - Win Game 7 at Texas Tech - Loss Game 8 vs Kansas State - Loss Game 9 vs Oklahoma State - Win Game 10 at Arizona - Loss Game 11 at Iowa State - Loss Game 12 vs Utah - Win 7-5 (5-4) Jalon Daniels is one of the few QBs who could have gone to a far better school, but stayed loyal. Since his breakout season in 2022, he has battled injuries which has led to underwhelming seasons for him. Lance Leipold is a great coach, and this is a decent roster, so if everything goes perfect for the Jayhawks, I could see this being a 9 win team. However, I doubt it will so I’ve got them at 7-5.  Kansas State Wildcats Game 1 vs Iowa State - Win Game 2 vs North Dakota - Win Game 3 vs Army - Win Game 4 at Arizona - Win Game 5 vs UCF - Win Game 6 at Baylor - Loss Game 7 vs TCU - Win Game 8 at Kansas - Win Game 9 vs Texas Tech - Loss Game 10 at Oklahoma State - Win Game 11 at Utah - Win Game 12 vs Colorado - Win 10-2 (7-2) The Wildcats will be good this year. They’ve got a great starting QB in Avery Johnson, a great RB Dylan Edwards, a good defense, they have all the tools. In the wild Big 12, a playoff birth is a possibility for K-State. Losing 2 games would make it very difficult, but their ceiling this year is 12-0. Oklahoma State Cowboys Game 1 vs UT Martin - Win Game 2 at Oregon - Loss Game 3 vs Tulsa - Win Game 4 vs Baylor - Loss Game 5 at Arizona - Loss Game 6 vs Houston - Loss Game 7 vs Cincinnati - Loss Game 8 at Texas Tech - Loss  Game 9 at Kansas - Loss Game 10 vs Kansas State - Loss Game 11 at UCF - Loss Game 12 vs Iowa State - Loss 2-10 (0-9) Man, this is ROUGH. I know Poke fans are going to be very angry at this, but this is gonna be a rough season in Stillwater. They have the worst roster in the Big 12, and I believe this will be the last season in the Mike Gundy era. I can see them winning a MAX of 5 games, and that would shock me. TCU Horned Frogs Game 1 at North Carolina - Win Game 2 vs Abilene Christian - Win Game 3 vs SMU - Loss Game 4 at Arizona State - Loss Game 5 vs Colorado - Win Game 6 at Kansas State - Loss Game 7 vs Baylor - Win Game 8 at West Virginia - Loss Game 9 vs Iowa State - Win Game 10 at BYU - Win Game 11 at Houston - Win Game 12 vs Cincinnati - Win 8-4 (6-3) TCU is one of the more underrated schools going into next season in my opinion. They return a lot of talent, and have a solid vet QB paired with a great WR in Eric McAlister. I have them going 8-4, because of their hard schedule, but don’t sleep on the Horned Frogs. Texas Tech Red Raiders Game 1 vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff - Win Game 2 vs Kent State - Win Game 3 vs Oregon State - Win Game 4 at Utah - Win Game 5 at Houston - Win Game 6 vs Kansas - Win Game 7 at Arizona State - Loss Game 8 vs Oklahoma State - Win Game 9 at Kansas State - Win Game 10 vs BYU - Win Game 11 vs UCF - Win Game 12 at West Virginia - Win 11-1 (8-1) The Red Raiders have the best roster they’ve had in a long time. There isn’t a massive hole on this roster, and they’re arguably the best team in the Big 12. I’ve got them going 11-1, with a tough road loss to Arizona State, but this would get them a spot in the Big 12 Championship, and possibly a playoff spot. UCF Knights Game 1 vs Jax State - Win Game 2 vs NC A&T - Win Game 3 vs North Carolina - Loss Game 4 at Kansas State - Loss Game 5 vs Kansas - Loss Game 6 at Cincinnati - Loss Game 7 vs West Virginia - Loss Game 8 at Baylor - Loss Game 9 vs Houston - Loss Game 10 at Texas Tech - Loss Game 11 vs Oklahoma State - Win Game 12 at BYU - Loss 3-9 (1-8) UCF is not a good team. Plain and simple. I think they can beat OSU at home (that will lowkey be a good game) but I do not see them having a successful season under Scott Frost. Utah Utes Game 1 at UCLA - Win Game 2 vs Cal Poly - Win Game 3 at Wyoming - Win Game 4 vs Texas tech - Loss Game 5 at West Virginia - Loss Game 6 vs Arizona State - Win Game 7 at BYU - Win Game 8 vs Colorado - Loss Game 9 vs Cincinnati - Win Game 10 at Baylor - Loss Game 11 vs Kansas State - Loss Game 12 at Kansas - Loss 6-6 (3-6) 6-6 might be a harsh prediction for the Utes. However, their schedule is just very unfavorable in my opinion. They have a talented group, and I think have potential to win up to 10 games, but it just doesn’t look like it will pan out for Utah this year to me. West Virginia Mountaineers Game 1 vs Robert Morris - Win Game 2 at Ohio - Win Game 3 vs Pitt - Win Game 4 at Kansas - Loss Game 5 vs Utah - Win Game 6 at BYU - Win Game 7 at UCF - Win Game 8 vs TCU - Win Game 9 at Houston - Win Game 10 vs Colorado - Win Game 11 at Arizona State - Loss Game 12 vs Texas Tech - Loss 9-3 (6-3) West Virginia is very, very slept on in my opinion. I really like QB Nico Marchiol unlike most people, and RB Jaheim White is a stud. Week 3 vs Pitt will be an extremely fun game, and I think the WV home field advantage will give them the edge. If they can avoid a loss to Kansas, and win one of their last 2 games while taking care of business with a relatively easy schedule, I can see them making the CFP. Big 12 Standings: 1. Arizona State 8-1 (11-1) 2. Texas Tech 8-1 (11-1) 3. Baylor 7-2 (8-4) 4. Kansas State 7-2 (10-2) 5. West Virginia 6-3 (9-3) 6. TCU 6-3 (8-4) 7. Colorado 5-4 (7-5) 8. Iowa State 5-4 (8-4) 9. Kansas 5-4 (7-5) 10. Cincinnati 4-5 (6-6) 11. Utah 3-6 (6-6) 12. BYU 3-6 (6-6) 13. Houston 3-6 (6-6) 14. Arizona 2-7 (4-8) 15. UCF 1-8 (3-9) 16. Oklahoma State 0-9 (2-10) Big 12 Championship Texas Tech- 38 Arizona State- 34 In this Big 12 Championship, I’ve got the Red Raiders pulling it out to earn their first CFP birth. It’s hard to beat a team twice in a season, and I think Tech might even be a little more talented than Arizona State. If my prediction is correct, Texas Tech’s insane $27 million roster pays off. CFP Locks: - Texas Tech 50-50: - Arizona State Long shot: - Kansas State You can find Owen Pannell on X here. Shop KZA Exclusive offers here.

By Owen Pannell | KZA Sports Branden Carlson, the undrafted two-way player out of Utah, might not be a household name—especially for those outside of Oklahoma City. In fact, most NBA fans probably haven’t heard his name at all. But for Thunder fans, Carlson is more than just another undrafted guy fighting for a roster spot. He’s a symbol of the culture OKC has built—where overlooked players are given the chance to grow, compete, and prove they belong. With his unique blend of size, shooting, and sneaky athleticism, Carlson has quietly become a name worth knowing in Thunder circles. And if you’ve been paying attention, you know he might just be next in a long line of hidden gems to rise through the ranks in OKC. Hometown Roots and College Growth Growing up in South Jordan, Utah, Carlson wasn’t the most well-known guy in the country, but his talent spoke for itself. Ranked as a three-star recruit, the 153rd player in the country, and the No. 2 player in Utah (247Sports), he had interest from schools like Utah, UCLA, Stanford, and BYU. He decided to commit to his hometown team, the University of Utah. He was a five-year starter for the Utes, with his minutes increasing every year. He was always a good defender, and of course he improved throughout his college years, but what sticks out is his development on the offensive end. His freshman season, he averaged 7 points on 5.5 shots a game and shot 23% from three on only 0.4 attempts per game. However, by the end of his fifth year, he was averaging 17 points per game on 13 shots, and the biggest improvement—shooting 37.9% from three on nearly five attempts per game. That improvement is a testament to his work ethic. He will never stop working to improve his game, which is exactly why the Thunder brought him in. The Thunder Find Their Guy (Again) Carlson went undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft, signing as a UDFA with the Toronto Raptors. However, he was eventually waived. Then, on November 16th, he signed a contract with the OKC Thunder. After a couple of 10-day contracts, the team locked him in with a two-way deal on February 6th. Carlson appeared in 32 games for the Thunder, mostly in fourth-quarter blowouts, but in those appearances, he showed real potential. He averaged 3.8 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game while shooting 44% from the field and 33% from three. Those might not seem like great numbers, but with just seven minutes a night, his per-36 projections put him at 18 points and 8 rebounds. If he could do that, he’d certainly earn real NBA minutes. Now, Carlson in the G League was an absolute beast. He averaged 18.6 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, with good efficiency. He’s shown so many flashes that eventually, he will be a very good NBA player—whether that’s with OKC or elsewhere. Throughout the season, the love for him from Thunder fans just grew and grew. Seeing his minutes at the end of games was one of the best parts—it signified a win, and a chance to see one of their favorite players. But Carlson’s impact wasn’t just on the court; it was off the court as well. Being one of the first guys up to give high fives, and offering constant encouragement when he wasn’t in the game, might not seem like a lot—but it makes a difference (just look at J-Will). Two-way players can’t play in the playoffs, but that didn’t stop him from contributing in every other way. He earned himself a well-deserved championship ring, and on July 7th, 2025, Oklahoma City officially declared it Branden Carlson Day . Eyes on the Summer League… and the Future Now, we’re in the Las Vegas Summer League, where Carlson is one of the Thunder’s most crucial players as they try to make a run at the Summer League championship. He’s showcasing his skills on a big stage, and it wouldn’t be surprising if another team offers him a real roster spot before too long. If the Thunder can free up a spot, it’ll be a battle between Carlson and OKC rookie second-round pick Brooks Barnhizer—who’s also quickly becoming a fan favorite. For now, Branden is focused on getting the job done in the SL. So let’s enjoy some high-level Branden Carlson hoops over the next few days. You can find Owen Pannell on X here. Shop the Official NBA Store here.

By Owen Pannell | KZA Sports The Southeastern Conference is once again loaded with talent, controversy, and College Football Playoff hopes. As always, powerhouse programs will clash, rivalries will rage, and playoff dreams will rise and fall with each Saturday. Here’s a full breakdown of every SEC team heading into the 2025 season—with records, key analysis, and predicted standings. Alabama Crimson Tide Game 1 at Florida State- Win Game 2 vs UL Monroe- Win Game 3 vs Wisconsin- Win Game 4 at Georgia- Loss Game 5 vs Vanderbilt- Win Game 6 at Missouri- Win Game 7 vs Tennessee- Win Game 8 at South Carolina- Win Game 9 vs LSU- Loss Game 10 vs Oklahoma- Loss Game 11 vs E Illinois- Win Game 12 at Auburn- Win 9-3 (5-3) After a disappointing, playoff-less season, for the Tide, they have big expectations in year 2 of the Deboer era. Their roster isn’t as talented as other SEC teams, and they have a pretty hard schedule. 9-3 likely isn’t a playoff team with this schedule, so I predict another year to end in disappointment in Tuscaloosa. Arkansas Razorbacks Game 1 vs Alabama A&M- Win Game 2 vs Arkansas State- Win Game 3 at Ole Miss- Loss Game 4 at Memphis- Win Game 5 vs Notre Dame- Loss Game 6 at Tennessee- Loss Game 7 vs Texas A&M- Loss Game 8 vs Auburn- Loss Game 9 vs Mississippi State- Win Game 10 at LSU- Loss Game 11 at Texas- Loss Game 12 vs Missouri- Loss 4-8 (1-7) Taylen Green is a solid QB. Other than that I’m not a huge fan of this roster. Sam Pittman could be gone after this year, the Razorbacks have a very tough schedule and I don’t see them winning many games. A floor of 2-10 isn’t out of the realm of possibility, which would be a disaster. Auburn Tigers Game 1 at Baylor- Win Game 2 vs Ball State- Win Game 3 vs South Alabama- Win Game 4 at Oklahoma- Loss Game 5 at Texas A&M- Loss Game 6 vs Georgia- Loss Game 7 vs Missouri- Win Game 8 at Arkansas- Win Game 9 vs Kentucky- Win Game 10 at Vanderbilt- Win Game 11 vs Mercer- Win Game 12 vs Alabama- Loss 8-4 (4-4) I’m a big fan of Auburn going into this season. The Jackson Arnold hype is a little much, but I really, really like their team. Arnold had a very poor offense in 2024, and with weapons like Cam Coleman and Eric Singleton Jr, I think he can have a really solid year. They aren’t quite ready to compete for the CFP, but I think they can win some ball games. Florida Gators Game 1 vs Long Island- Win Game 2 vs South Florida- Win Game 3 at LSU- Loss Game 4 at Miami- Win Game 5 vs Texas- Loss Game 6 at Texas A&M- Loss Game 7 vs Mississippi State- Win Game 8 vs Georgia- Loss Game 9 at Kentucky- Win Game 10 at Ole Miss- Win Game 11 vs Tennessee- Win Game 12 vs Florida State- Win 8-4 (4-4) With all of the hype in the world surrounding QB DJ Lagway, expectations are high this year for the Gators. With a very difficult schedule, it will be hard to make a playoff appearance. Florida is still missing some talent needed to make a run, so I've got them with an 8-4 record, and 4-4 in the SEC. Georgia Bulldogs Game 1 vs Marshall- Win Game 2 vs Austin Peay- Win Game 3 at Tennessee- Win Game 4 vs Alabama- Win Game 5 vs Kentucky- Win Game 6 at Auburn- Win Game 7 vs Ole Miss- Win Game 8 at Florida- Win Game 9 at Mississippi State- Win Game 10 vs Texas- Loss Game 11 vs Charlotte- Win Game 12 vs* Georgia Tech- Win  11-1 (7-1) Georgia is do for a big year. They haven’t won a Championship since 2022 (I know so long) and they feel like they are due for one. They have a great team, elite coach, and a relatively easy schedule. An 11-1 season for them seems likely, and the Texas game is a tossup. I would give them an absolute floor of 9-3, and definitely a possibility for 12-0. This isn’t the most talented Georgia team we’ve ever seen, but the stars could align for another UGA national title. Kentucky Wildcats Game 1 vs Toledo- Win Game 2 vs Ole Miss- Loss Game 3 vs Eastern Michigan- Win Game 4 at South Carolina- Loss Game 5 at Georgia- Loss Game 6 vs Texas- Loss Game 7 vs Tennessee- Loss Game 8 at Auburn- Loss Game 9 vs Florida- Loss Game 10 vs Tennessee Tech- Win Game 11 at Vanderbilt- Loss Game 12 at Louisville- Loss 3-9 (0-8) Kentucky is, in my opinion, the worst team in the SEC this year. It sadly might be time to move on from longtime coach Mark Stoops, because I don’t see this team getting a lot better under him any time soon. Unfortunate for them that they don’t play Mississippi State or Arkansas, because I don’t see them getting a power 4 win this year.  LSU Tigers Game 1 at Clemson- Loss Game 2 vs LA Tech- Win Game 3 vs Florida- Win Game 4 vs SE Louisiana- Win Game 5 at Ole Miss- Win Game 6 vs South Carolina- Win Game 7 at Vanderbilt- Win Game 8 vs Texas A&M- Win Game 9 at Alabama- Win Game 10 vs Arkansas- Win Game 11 vs Western Kentucky- Win Game 12 at Oklahoma- Loss 10-2 (7-1) LSU has a very, very good team. A top 3 QB in Garrett Nussmeier, and the additions of talented transfer receivers Nic Anderson (Oklahoma) and Barion Brown (Kentucky). Their defense should be good, and they have a good coach in Brian Kelly. I believe this will be the year they get back to the CFP, and I have them going 10-2 with losses to Clemson and OU. Mississippi State Bulldogs Game 1 at Southern Miss- Win Game 2 vs Arizona State- Loss Game 3 vs Alcorn State- Win Game 4 vs Northern Illinois- Win Game 5 vs Tennessee- Loss Game 6 at Texas A&M- Loss Game 7 at Florida- Loss Game 8 vs Texas- Loss Game 9 at Arkansas- Loss Game 10 vs Georgia- Loss Game 11 at Missouri- Loss Game 12 vs Ole Miss- Win 4-8 (1-7) Mississippi State has been the worst team in the SEC recently. 2nd year coach Jeff Leby has some work to do, and with a subpar roster it will be difficult. I do have them getting a win over rival Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl, but that is just because I don’t see the Rebels coming ready to play. This will likely be another bad season for the Bulldogs, and Leby will likely be on the hotseat after this year. Missouri Tigers Game 1 vs Central Arkansas- Win Game 2 vs Kansas- Win Game 3 vs Louisiana- Win Game 4 vs South Carolina- Loss Game 5 vs UMass- Win Game 6 vs Alabama- Loss Game 7 at Auburn- Loss Game 8 at Vanderbilt- Loss Game 9 vs Texas A&M- Loss Game 10 vs Mississippi State- Win Game 11 at Oklahoma- Loss Game 12 at Arkansas- Win 6-6 (2-6) Mizzou got an elite RB transfer in Ahmad Hardy, and a solid QB in Beau Pribula. However they do not have a great team, and last years 9-3 record was lucky in my opinion. They regressed while teams like Oklahoma, Vandy, and Auburn, who they beat in 2024, all improved. I have the Tigers finishing with a 6-6 record. Oklahoma Sooners Game 1 vs Illinois State- Win Game 2 vs Michigan- Win Game 3 at Temple- Win Game 4 vs Auburn- Win Game 5 vs Kent State- Win Game 6 vs* Texas- Win Game 7 at South Carolina- Loss Game 8 vs Ole Miss- Win Game 9 at Tennessee- Win Game 10 at Alabama- Win Game 11 vs Missouri- Win Game 12 vs LSU- Win 11-1 (7-1) After a terrible 6-6 season for the Sooners, they totally revamped their offense, bringing in Washington State OC Ben Arbuckle, who brought along top 3 QB in the country John Mateer. They also added top portal RB Jaydn Ott, along with good receivers to rebuild that WR core. Their defense projects to be one of the best in the nation, with defensive specialist Brent Venables now calling the defensive plays, I predict the Sooners to have an outstanding year, finishing 11-1, with huge wins over Texas, Michigan, Alabama, and LSU. Ole Miss Rebels Game 1 vs Georgia State- Win Game 2 at Kentucky- Win Game 3 vs Arkansas- Win Game 4 vs Tulane- Win Game 5 vs LSU- Loss Game 6 vs Washington State- Win Game 7 at Georgia- Loss Game 8 at Oklahoma- Loss Game 9 vs South Carolina- Loss Game 10 vs The Citadel- Win Game 11 vs Florida- Loss Game 12 at Mississippi State- Loss 6-6 (2-6) The Rebels lost a lot this year. They don’t have a great culture, coach Lane Kiffin is great on the field, but has some questions off the field. Their whole season relies on the success of Austin Simmons, and once they are out of the playoff race I see Ole Miss sort of giving up on the year. This would be very disappointing for the folks in Oxford, so for their sake let’s hope my prediction of 6-6 is wrong. South Carolina Gamecocks Game 1 vs Virginia Tech- Win Game 2 vs SC State- Win Game 3 vs Vanderbilt- Win Game 4 at Missouri- Win Game 5 vs Kentucky- Win Game 6 at LSU- Loss Game 7 vs Oklahoma- Win Game 8 vs Alabama- Loss Game 9 at Ole Miss- Win Game 10 at Texas A&M- Win Game 11 vs Coastal Carolina- Win Game 12 vs Clemson- Loss 9-3 (6-2) LaNorris Sellers is one of the top QBs in college football, and the Cocks have a great team around him. Head Coach Shane Beimer is one of the top young coaches in the sport. With a tough SEC schedule, and a non-con game vs the top team in the country (in my opinion), a playoff appearance will be difficult, but not impossible. I have them going 9-3 which probably won’t land them a spot in the CFP, but you never know with the love the SEC gets. Tennessee Volunteers Game 1 vs Syracuse- Win Game 2 vs ETSU- Win Game 3 vs Georgia- Loss Game 4 vs UAB- Win Game 5 at Mississippi State- Win Game 6 vs Arkansas- Win Game 7 at Alabama- Loss Game 8 at Kentucky- WIn Game 9 vs Oklahoma- Loss Game 10 vs New Mexico State- Win Game 11 at Florida- Loss Game 12 vs Vanderbilt- Win 8-4 (4-4) Coming off a playoff appearance, the Vols had high expectations. However that changed with the unexpected exit of Nico Iamaleava. This will most likely be sort of a rebuilding year for the Vols, in a stacked SEC another playoff appearance will be difficult. They have the top player and QB in the 2026 class committed currently, so no need to fret in Knoxville. An 8-4 season wouldn’t be the end of the world. Texas A&M Aggies Game 1 vs UTSA- Win Game 2 vs Utah State- Win Game 3 at Notre Dame- Loss Game 4 vs Auburn- Win Game 5 vs Mississippi State- Win Game 6 vs Florida- Win Game 7 at Arkansas- Win Game 8 at LSU- Loss Game 9 at Missouri- Win Game 10 vs South Carolina- Loss Game 11 vs Samford- Win Game 12 at Texas- Loss 8-4 (5-3) Every year the hype for the Aggies is super high. This year, they don’t have a bad team, but I don’t believe this is a playoff team. They have some talented dudes, with QB Marcel Reed leading a good offense featuring RB Le’Veon Moss and transfer wideout KC Concepcion.  Texas Longhorns Game 1 at Ohio State- Loss Game 2 vs San Jose State- Win Game 3 vs UTEP- Win Game 4 vs Sam Houston- Win Game 5 at Florida- Win Game 6 vs* Oklahoma- Loss Game 7 at Kentucky- Win Game 8 at Mississippi State- Win Game 9 vs Vanderbilt- Loss Game 10 at Georgia- Win Game 11 vs Arkansas- Win Game 12 vs Texas A&M- Win 9-3 (6-2) The Longhorns lost a lot of talent to the draft, they still have a great team, but with an unproven QB and a very hard schedule this could be a bit of a down year for Texas. Their defense will be elite, led by arguably the top LB in the country Anthony Hill Jr, but I have a lot of questions with Arch Manning, and their offense will surely take a step back. I have them getting upset by Vandy in a look ahead spot to the Georgia game (in which I have the Horns getting the W), and finishing with a 9-3 record, which may still be good enough to land a playoff spot. Vanderbilt Commodores Game 1 vs Charleston Southern- Win Game 2 at Virginia Tech- Win Game 3 at South Carolina- Loss Game 4 vs Georgia State- Win Game 5 vs Utah State- Win Game 6 at Alabama- Loss Game 7 vs LSU- Loss Game 8 vs Missouri- Win Game 9 at Texas- Win Game 10 vs Auburn- Loss Game 11 vs Kentucky- Win Game 12 at Tennessee- Loss 7-5 (3-5) I really like this team for Vandy. They have a great QB in Diego Pavia, along with one of, if not the, best TEs in the country Eli Stowers. Paired with other solid offensive guys and a solid defense, I predict the Commodores to win 7 games this year, including a huge upset over Texas. SEC Standings 1. Oklahoma Sooners 7-1 (11-1) 2. Georgia Bulldogs 7-1 (11-1) 3. LSU Tigers 7-1 (10-2) 4. Texas Longhorns 6-2 (9-3) 5. South Carolina Gamecocks 6-2 (9-3) 6. Alabama Crimson Tide 5-3 (9-3) 7. Texas A&M Aggies 5-3 (8-4) 8. Florida Gators 4-4 (8-4) 9. Auburn Tigers 4-4 (8-4) 10. Tennessee Volunteers 4-4 (8-4) 11. Vanderbilt Commodores 3-5 (7-5) 12. Ole Miss Rebels 2-6 (6-6) 13. Missouri Tigers 2-6 (6-6) 14. Arkansas Razorbacks 1-7 (4-8) 15. Mississippi State Bulldogs 1-7 (4-8) 16. Kentucky Wildcats 0-8 (3-9) SEC Championship- Oklahoma vs Georgia OU- 27 UGA- 24 This would be a matchup between 2 elite defenses. I believe it would come down to who has the better QB, which is the Sooners. John Mateer leads OU on a game winning TD drive to win their first ever SEC Championship, and secure a top 3 seed in the CFP in a season where they have flown under the radar the whole way. Playoff Teams Locks: - Oklahoma - Georgia - LSU Chance: - Texas - South Carolina Unlikely: - Alabama You can find Owen Pannell on X here. Find exclusive KZA deals here.

By Owen Pannell | KZA Sports Does Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Have GOAT Potential? As crazy as that might seem, it’s not too far off from being the truth. Whether you think the GOAT is LeBron James or Michael Jordan, SGA is on track to have a real shot at being in that conversation. Let’s start smaller: is he even the best player in the league right now? Don’t get me wrong—Nikola Jokić is a special  player. However, he isn’t a better basketball player than Shai. Just look at team success. The OKC Thunder, led by SGA, finished the regular season with a 68–14 record and went on to win the NBA Championship. The Denver Nuggets, led by Jokić, had a 50–32 record and lost in the second round (to OKC). Now, you might think the Thunder just have a way better team—and they do. However, Shai had a total plus/minus of +918, compared to Jokić’s +594 (which is still nuts and the second-best in the league). The Thunder had a -0.39 net rating (non-garbage time minutes) with Shai off the court. Conversely, they had a +16.0 net rating with him on the floor. For the Nuggets, they had a -4.5 rating without Jokić and a +5.4 with him. That 9.9-point swing is crazy, but not as crazy as the 16.39-point swing that Shai provides. Now let’s look at defense. Nikola Jokić had a defensive rating of 110.7. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a rating of 107.4. That might not seem like a huge difference, but it’s rare for a guard to have a better defensive rating than a big. The Thunder had a historic defense this past season, which wouldn’t have happened without Shai being a true two-way star. How about the main part of basketball—scoring? Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a generational scorer, whether you like it or not. If you’re a casual, you probably think he’s a free-throw merchant based on what you see on social media, but I’m not going to waste time getting into that. Shai led the league in scoring with an average of 32.7 points per game last season. Nikola Jokić averaged 29.6. However, per 36 minutes, SGA averaged 34.4 points, while Jokić’s average drops to 29.0. I’ll give Jokić credit—he’s a generational passer for a big man, and his rebounding numbers are better, but I’d hope so, considering he’s a 7-foot center. There’s a lot more we could dive into, but this article isn’t even mainly about this debate, so all I’ll say is: watch the games. Let’s Talk Legacy . LeBron James won his first NBA Championship at 27 years old, in his 9th season. Michael Jordan won his first at 28, in his 7th season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just won his first championship at 26, in his 7th season. Let’s compare the three players after their first seven seasons: LeBron James 1 MVP 5× All-Star 2× All-NBA First Team 1× All-NBA Second Team 1 scoring title Michael Jordan 1 MVP 1 Championship 1 Finals MVP 1 DPOY 5× All-Star 5× All-NBA First Team 5× All-Defensive First Team 5 scoring titles Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 1 MVP 1 Championship 1 Finals MVP 3× All-Star 3× All-NBA First Team 1 scoring title So, he’s on pace to surpass LeBron (Bron obviously has the longevity) but is definitely not on MJ’s level accolades-wise—yet. Statistically, however, he’s very similar. In Jordan’s 7th year, he averaged 31.5 PPG (54% FG), 6 RPG, and 5.5 APG. Compare that to Shai’s 32.7 PPG (52% FG), 5 RPG, and 6.4 APG—and you’ll see Shai isn’t far off. Not to mention, like it or not, the talent in today’s NBA is far better than when Jordan played. What Comes Next? Michael Jordan has six career NBA Championships. LeBron has four. Shai and the Thunder are in a perfect position to build a dynasty and potentially reach those numbers. It’s much harder to have a dynasty in today’s NBA—with the new CBA and the league’s talent level—but if anybody’s going to do it, it’s the Thunder. And Shai won’t have to keep switching teams to win, like LeBron did. He has everything he needs to go on a historic run in OKC. They’ve got Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren locked up, amazing role players, one of the best coaches in the league, a million draft picks from the best front office in sports, an elite culture, and the best fanbase in the NBA. The tools are there. They call him "Maple Jordan” for a reason. The similarities between SGA and MJ are real—from both being 6’6” score-first guards to each being paired with an elite two-way wing (Scottie Pippen & Jalen Williams). If he continues putting in the work like he already does—and maintains the killer mentality he showed in the 2025 postseason—I don’t see a reason he won’t go down as one of, if not the , greatest players in NBA history. You can find Owen Pannell on X here. Shop the Official NBA Store here.

By Isaiah Magar | KZA Sports I recently had the privilege of interviewing one of the Dallas Mavericks' most diehard fans: Red Raider Man. You can find him on X here. For some fans, being part of the Mavericks family isn’t a choice — it’s a birthright. That’s exactly the case for our latest interviewee, a die-hard Dallas fan who’s been rocking blue since day one. "Born into it,"  he said when asked how he became a Mavs fan. No drama. No bandwagon. Just loyalty passed down like a family tradition. He couldn’t recall his first game — hey, that’s fair — but he definitely remembers who got him hooked: “Dirk.”  No need for a last name when you’re talking about a legend. Living the 2011 Dream When it comes to favorite memories, there’s no hesitation. “Winning the chip in 2011.”  And yes, he was locked in for every second of it. “I was with my parents in the living room watching it live with them,”  he said, painting the kind of moment every sports fan hopes to experience — family, joy, and a title that shut down a superteam. But of course, being a fan means riding the highs and  the heartbreak. When asked about the toughest Mavs loss he’s endured, his answer was short and recent: “Losing to the Celtics in 2024.”  Still fresh. Still painful. On the Current Squad and Future Hopes Despite the departure of Luka Doncic, optimism remains. “I feel good about Flagg,”  he said about Cooper Flagg, the Mavs' highly touted rookie. “But we’ll see with everyone else.” On if Flagg’s arrival helped soften the blow of losing Luka — “It helped, for sure,”  he admitted. And when asked what Dallas needs to do to bring home another championship? “I think they have a fine roster that could win it all if it plays out the right way.”  In other words: stay healthy, get hot, and let the chips fall. One player he thinks deserves more credit? “AD.”  In my opinion, the best player on the team, when healthy. Many people have stated otherwise, but they're wrong. Around the League: Favorites and Foes Outside of Dallas, there’s one player he always enjoys watching: “Curry.”  The respect for greatness is there. But when it comes to rivalries, there’s one team he simply can’t stand: “Lakers.”  No surprise for a true basketball fan. Rapid Fire: Legends and Parades In a quick round of rapid-fire questions, there were no surprises: Dirk or Luka?   “Dirk.” One former Mav you wish never left?   “Steve Nash.” If the Mavs win another title?   “I would try and go to the parade.” If the chips fall where they could in the 2025-26 season, maybe the Mavs could see that parade roaring through their streets. And when you’re born into something, you celebrate it like family. You can find Isaiah Magar on X here. Shop the Official NBA Store here.

By Isaiah Magar | KZA Sports The Oklahoma City Thunder have completed two of their three Summer League games in Salt Lake City and though they haven't been the easiest on the eyes, they have been very valiant efforts by the boys in blue and white. After falling to the Grizzlies in game 1 80-92, the Thunder bounced back when to win a sloppy 89-78 contest against the 76ers which featured a total of 72 free throws. One of, if not THE main attraction for this contest (following the news of VJ Edgecombe sitting out) was 19- year old Nikola Topic. The Thunder rookie finished the game with 11 points, three rebounds, five assists, and three steals. In terms of efficiency, Topic had a rather sour night hitting only 2-13 from the field including 0-6 from beyond the arc. He did plenty of other things on the court though, and below is laid out a deeper dive into his game. Following a high turnover Game 1, Nikola was able to limit himself to just two in Game 2. He was turnover-free for nearly the whole game until he got ahead of himself nearing the end. His handle was much tighter and he was sure not to force any passes into windows that wouldn't fit them. He always seemed to choose the right target and use stellar ball placement skills to set up his teammates for easy buckets. Topic was able to lead strong fastbreaks, being unpredictable in his choice to dish for a teammate's basket or take it to the hoop himself. Not only does he make the right choices, he also worked in a bit of finesse to some of his passes, catching defenders off guard. He was a patient ball handler, using his position as leverage, keeping defenders on his hip, and surgically navigating the opponent's defense. There were a couple times it felt like he picked up his dribble a bit too soon. Expect that to change as he gets more comfortable being deep in the paint. Defensively, he is very solid on ball. He has generally been able to stay in front of his guy, and is good about clogging up passing lanes. He's good at reading offenses, though he can sometimes be caught ball watching as his off-ball man can slip behind him for what could be easy backdoor buckets. Mentioned were his poor shooting numbers. It felt like his coaches had to be telling him to try and get his with some of the shots he ended up taking. His basketball IQ is too high to be taking a couple of the early shot clock looks he took. He generally will give up his own good shot for a great shot by a teammate. We saw a bit of that tonight, but also some questionable shot selections. He was very good at taking charge when he needed to, primarily in the second quarter and in late game clock situations, looking for plays late in quarters. His offensive awareness is very high, knowing where his teammates are and seeing passing lanes others may not. His defensive awareness, on the other hand, could use a bit of work. It's not terrible, but certainly a weakness. He is undoubtedly a floor general. His constant communication and encouragement of his comrades continues to showcase his basketball intelligence. For his second game back from injury, Nikola Topic is certainly showing flashes of who Thunder GM Sam Presti thought he was when he drafted him. Expect him to continue to develop, learn, and grow. You can find Isaiah Magar on X here. Shop the Official NBA Store here.

By Owen Pannell | KZA Sports The Salt Lake City Summer League will be great this year. Tons of talented young players from the Memphis Grizzlies, OKC Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers, and Utah Jazz. This will be a 6-game, round-robin style league where whoever has the best record at the end of the 6 games will be declared the winner. Let’s take a look at all the teams, plus give a prediction on what will happen! Memphis Grizzlies Roster Armando Bacot – Center – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Ace Baldwin Jr – Guard – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Ante Brzovich – Center – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Tyler Burton – Wing – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Cedric Coward – Wing – Rookie (11th) – Active Aaron Estrada – Guard – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Phlandrous Fleming Jr – Guard – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Nate Hinton – Wing – 5th year – Free Agent GG Jackson II – Wing – 3rd year – Active Jeremy Jones – Wing – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Lawson Lovering – Center – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Will Magnay – Center – 2nd year – Free Agent Bo Montgomery – Guard – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Zyon Pullin – Guard – 2nd year – Two-Way Efton Reid III – Center – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Javon Small – Guard – Rookie (48th) – Two-Way Cam Spencer – Guard – 2nd year – Active Jaylen Wells – Wing – 2nd year – Active Most Intriguing Players Javon Small - A second-round pick in this year's draft, some folks (including me) thought he didn’t necessarily think he deserved to get drafted. Grizzlies fans hope that he shows out in the SL, and confirms that he deserved to be drafted. Cedric Coward - Coward was great in the few games he played at Wazzu last year, but sadly an injury cut his season short. After trading up to pick 11 to draft him, Memphis really hopes that he pans out. Armando Bacot - A once very highly touted recruit, Bacot stayed 5 years in college and ended up going undrafted. He is very talented, but will he be able to have a successful college career? We will start to find out here. What to Watch For The Grizzlies have some important players to their rotation in this year's SL. They need them to improve so they don’t get swept in the first round again. GG Jackson and Jaylen Wells should look like stars — they have played important minutes in the NBA. Cedric Coward should also look good, he was just the 11th pick and supposed to be a win-now prospect. They should have a good team, but anything can happen. OKC Thunder Roster Zack Austin – Wing – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Brooks Barnhizer – Rookie (44th) – Two-Way Ty Brewer – Wing – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Cameron Brown – Wing – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Brandon Carlson – Center – 2nd year – Two-Way Alex Ducas – Wing – 2nd year – Two-Way Cesare Edwards – Forward – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Jazian Gortman – Guard – 2nd year – Free Agent Viktor Lakhin – Center – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Malevy Leons – Forward – 2nd year – Free Agen tAjay Mitchell – Guard – 2nd year – Active Erik Reynolds II – Guard – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Payton Sandfort – Wing – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Mady Sissoko – Center – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Nikola Topic – Guard – Rookie (Last yr 12th) – Active Kerwin Walton – Forward – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Hansen Ward – Center – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Chris Youngblood – Guard – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Most Intriguing Players Nikola Topic - Topic was widely considered a top 3–5 prospect before tearing his ACL before the draft last year. He ended up falling to OKC at 2, and we all remember how good Chet was after a year with the program before playing his first NBA minutes. Big things are expected from Topic, and Thunder fans hope to see big things in the Summer League. Payton Sandfort - Sandfort definitely has a chance to earn a two-way for this team. The Thunder need shooting and that is exactly what Sandfort brings to the table. There are already rumors that OKC is considering giving him a contract, so he has to ball out to take (likely) Alex Ducas’ spot. Brooks Barnhizer - The Thunder’s first-round pick Thomas Sorber unfortunately will not be healthy for this year's SL, but their second-round pick will be. Known to bring competitiveness and hustle, we hope to see Barnhizer bring those qualities to a basketball game that might not matter too much in the grand scheme of things. What to Watch For OKC has 3 two-way contracts to give out. One of them is taken by Barnhizer, another is all but taken by Carlson, so there is one more contract for someone to earn. The main two in contention are Sandfort and Ducas, but if someone else balls out they could definitely snag one. Nikola Topic will be very fun to watch for the first time, and Ajay Mitchell already got quality minutes in the NBA last season so he should be real good as well. This is a good Summer League team. Philadelphia 76ers Roster Izan Almansa – Forward – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Keve Aluma – Forward – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Mark Armstrong – Guard – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Adem Bona – Forward – 2nd year – ActiveJohni Broome – Forward – Rookie (35th) – ActiveJack Clark – Forward – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent VJ Edgecombe – Guard – Rookie (3rd) – Active Justin Edwards – Wing – 2nd year – Active Andrew Funk – Guard – 2nd year – Free Agent Jalen Hood-Schifino – Guard – 3rd year – Active Judah Mintz – Guard – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Landers Nolley II – Wing – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Alex Reese – Center – 2nd year – Two-Way Hunter Sallis – Guard – Rookie (UD) – Two-Way Jalen Slawson – Wing – 2nd year – Free Agent Caleb Stone-Carrawell – Wing – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Saint Thomas – Wing – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Stefan Todorovic – Forward – Rookie – Free Agent Most Intriguing Players VJ Edgecombe - The 3rd overall pick is obviously going to be very intriguing, but there is a debate on whether the 76ers made the right choice with this pick or not. Some think they should've traded the pick, or taken Ace Bailey, but Edgecombe is out to prove why he deserved to be taken #3 by Philly. Hunter Sallis - I was a big Hunter Sallis guy going into the draft. I think he can be a great 3&D player one day, and the 76ers snagged him on a two-way. I love this move and I’m excited to see if he can play on the next level. Johni Broome - Broome was a great college player, but questions about his athleticism and play style make people doubt if he will be able to be a good NBA player. He needs to start off strong in the SL to prove his game will translate. What to Watch For There are a lot of players to watch out for on this team. They will probably be pretty good, so it will definitely make for a lot of fun basketball. A fantastic mix of young guys such as VJ Edgecombe and older guys such as Jalen Hood-Schifino make this a great roster. The young guys will try to prove they belong, while the old guys try to prove they should stick around. Utah Jazz Roster Max Abmas – Guard – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Ace Bailey – Forward – Rookie (5th) – Active Walter Clayton Jr – Guard – Rookie (18th) – Active Isaiah Collier – Guard – 2nd year – Active Steve Crowl – Center – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Kyle Filipowski – Forward – 2nd year – Active Jaylan Gainey – Forward – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Dane Goodwin – Wing – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Elijah Harkless – Wing – 2nd year – Two-Way RJ Luis Jr – Wing – Rookie (UD) – Two-Way Cam McGriff – Wing – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Selton Miguel – Guard – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent J’Wan Roberts – Wing – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Brice Sensabaugh – Wing – 3rd year – Active Jaden Springer – Guard – 5th year – Active John Tonje – Wing – Rookie (53rd) – Two-Way Cody Williams – Wing – 2nd year – Active JZ Zaher – Guard – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Most Intriguing Players Cody Williams - Williams was terrible last season. He must take a big jump and we should see him play very well in this SL. He should be one of the best scorers in this whole thing, so it will be a big red flag and disappointment if he doesn’t play well. Ace Bailey - Bailey allegedly didn’t even want to come to Utah. He is a fantastic scorer, which should be on display, but we need to see him develop chemistry with his teammates, because that is one huge knock on him. RJ Luis Jr - A fantastic college player, it will be interesting to see how Luis does in the NBA. Hopefully he can carry it over and play well, because as an undrafted player the journey is never easy. What to Watch For This squad has a lot of current NBA players on it. The main thing for Jazz fans to be watching for is improvement in their guys. They were the worst team in the NBA last year and they need their young guys to take a step. Best Players GG Jackson (Grizzlies) Jaylen Wells (Grizzlies) Ace Bailey (Jazz) VJ Edgecombe (76ers) Ajay Mitchell (Thunder) Nikola Topic (Thunder) Isaiah Collier (Jazz) Kyle Filipowski (Jazz) Cody Williams (Jazz) Justin Edwards (76ers) Best Players Available Payton Sandfort (Thunder) Armando Bacot (Grizzlies) Viktor Lakhin (Thunder) Max Abmas (Jazz) Saint Thomas (76ers) Malevy Leons (Thunder) J’Wan Roberts (Jazz) Izan Almansa (76ers) Judah Mintz (76ers) Ace Baldwin Jr (Grizzlies) Prediction Jazz 2–1 Grizzlies 2–1 Thunder 1–2 76ers 1–2 I predict the Jazz to finish with the best record of the SLC Summer League (tiebreaker: point differential) and Isaiah Collier bringing home the SLC MVP award. This prediction is probably terrible — it’s almost impossible to predict SL games (and I hope my Thunder can do a little better than 1–2!). Just sit back, relax, and enjoy (nearly) stress-free basketball! You can find Owen Pannell on X here. Shop the Official NBA Store here.

By Owen Pannell | KZA Sports The San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, LA Lakers, and Golden State Warriors will participate in this year's California Classic Summer League. Each team will play 3 games in 4 days, and whoever has the best record at the end will be declared the winner. Let’s take a look at each team, find the most exciting players to watch, and make a prediction for the winner that will definitely not be right. San Antonio Spurs Roster Dylan Harper – Guard – Rookie (2nd) – Active Carter Bryant – Forward – Rookie (14th) – Active Ibrahima Diallo – Center – 2nd year – Free Agent Kyle Mangas – Guard – 2nd year – Free Agent Jameer Nelson Jr – Guard – 2nd year – Free Agent Dexter Dennis – Guard – 3rd year – Free Agent Chibuzo Agbo – Guard – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent David Jones-Garcia – Forward – 2nd year – Free Agent Osayi Osifo – Forward – 2nd year – Free Agent Riley Minix – Forward – 2nd year – Two-Way Omari Moore – Guard – 3rd year – Free Agent Nathan Mensah – Center – 3rd year – Free Agent Cam Carter – Guard – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Mouhamet Diouf – Center – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Josh Uduje – Guard – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Jackson Moni – Forward – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Noah Farrakhan – Guard – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Harrison Ingram – Forward – 2nd year – Two-Way Most Intriguing Players Dylan Harper - Obviously, being the 2nd pick, a ton of eyes will be on him. The Spurs hope he dominates here, because theoretically, nobody should be as talented as him. Harrison Ingram - Ingram needs to show he has taken a leap. Not great last year, barely got any playing time on a team that was tanking for half the year. He needs to earn minutes in the Summer League this year. Carter Bryant - Bryant was one of the best athletes in this year’s draft class. He is still extremely raw, but he should show off his athleticism and get everyone hyped for his career. What to Watch For The Spurs have multiple talented players that will make their real roster, so we should see some good basketball from this team. They don’t necessarily have any super exciting free agents here, but you never know who will surprise you. Miami Heat Roster Kel’el Ware – Center – 2nd year – Active Pelle Larson – Wing – 2nd year – Active Keshad Johnson – Forward – 2nd year – Active Kasparas Jakucionis – Guard – Rookie (20th) – Active Vladislav Goldin – Center – Rookie (UD) – Two-Way Kira Lewis Jr – Guard – 5th year – Free Agent Bryson Warren – Guard – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Marcus Williams – Guard – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent JC Butler – Guard – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Javonte Cook – Forward – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Erik Stevenson – Guard – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Steve Settle III – Forward – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Myron Gardner – Forward – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Dain Dainja – Forward – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Oumar Ballo – Center – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Most Intriguing Players Kasparas Jakucionis - The Heat’s first-round pick this year at pick 20, he was thought to be a lottery talent — so we’ll see if he looks like he belonged there. Oumar Ballo - A very athletic big who went undrafted, he has potential to make an NBA roster one day. If he can play well in the SL, he might earn a spot this year. Keshad Johnson - Johnson, going into his 2nd year in the NBA, played pretty well in the G League last year, but didn’t get much action in the actual NBA. If he took a jump this offseason, we could see him start to get some quality NBA minutes. What to Watch For Kel’el Ware and Pelle Larson are the two players who got a lot of run in the NBA last year, so it would be nice to see them play well here. If their two rookies, Jakucionis and Goldin, look good, then that would be very encouraging for the Heat. Lastly, undrafted rookies make a name for themselves in the Summer League, and the Heat have a lot of them on this roster — so be on the lookout for future talent. LA Lakers Roster Dalton Knecht – Guard – 2nd year – Active Bronny James – Guard – 2nd year – Active RJ Davis – Guard – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent DJ Steward – Guard – 5th year – Free Agent Sam Mennenga – Forward – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Augustas Marciulionis – Guard – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Darius Bazley – Forward – 7th year – Free Agent TY Johnson – Guard – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Sir’Jabari Rice – Guard – 3rd year – Free Agent Cole Swider – Forward – 4th year – Free Agent Eric Dixon – Forward – Rookie (UD) – Two-Way DaJuan Gordon – Guard – 2nd year – Free Agent Julian Reese – Forward – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Ethan Taylor – Guard – Rookie – Free Agent Trey Jemison III – Center – 3rd year – Two-Way Arthur Kaluma – Forward – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Most Intriguing Players Augustas Marciulionis - A very talented player, I think Marciulionis can definitely be a good backup PG one day. It will be interesting to see if he could earn himself a two-way somewhere by playing well in the SL. Bronny James - Some folks think Bronny can be a real solid NBA player — he has shown a couple flashes of being that. However, he needs to show everyone that he has improved since last season. Eric Dixon - The NCAA leading scorer last year, he will come into the Summer League and try to prove that he can score in the NBA as well. He ended up going undrafted, but he landed a two-way contract with the Lakers already. Just has to show that he deserves it. What to Watch For This Lakers roster is actually one of my favorite SL rosters. They have a great mix of returning players trying to improve and rookies trying to prove they belong in the league. I expect Knecht to be one of, if not the best, players in the California Classic, and there are even vets like Darius Bazley trying to get one last shot in the NBA. This is a very cool team and I will be tuning in as much as possible. Golden State Warriors Roster Taran Armstrong – Guard – Rookie (UD) – Two-Way Will Richard – Guard – Rookie (56th) – Two-Way Jules Bernard – Guard – 2nd year – Free Agent Leopold Delaunay – Guard – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Marques Bolden – Center – 4th year – Free Agent Bez Mbeng – Guard – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Alex Toohey – Forward – Rookie (52nd) – Two-Way Chance McMillian – Guard – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Blake Hinson – Forward – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Alex Higgins-Titsha – Forward – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Donta Scott – Forward – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Isaiah Mobley – Forward – 4th year – Free Agent Chris Manon – Guard – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent LJ Cryer – Guard – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Jackson Rowe – Forward – 2nd year – Two-Way Jaden Shackleford – Guard – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Coleman Hawkins – Forward – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Ja’Vier Francis – Forward – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Gabe Madsen – Forward – Rookie (UD) – Free Agent Most Intriguing Players Alex Toohey - An Aussie with a lot of potential, the Warriors got Toohey in the 2nd round, which could end up being a steal if he develops nicely. We will see how he does against NBA comp. Coleman Hawkins - Hawkins was a great college player. A 3&D stretch four could be very valuable for a team, and he is currently a free agent after going undrafted. It will be interesting to watch how he does in the SL. Isaiah Mobley - The younger brother of DPOY Evan Mobley, Isaiah hasn’t hit his full potential. He is likely running out of chances, so he has to go ball out this summer to earn another contract. What to Watch For The Warriors have a roster full of players who have not proven themselves to be good, so this team is a wild card. This team is either going to be really good or really bad. We’ll see if they found any diamonds in the rough. Best Players Dylan Harper (Spurs) Dalton Knecht (Lakers) Kel’el Ware (Heat) Kasparas Jakucionis (Heat) Pelle Larson (Heat) Carter Bryant (Spurs) Bronny James (Lakers) Keshad Johnson (Heat) Eric Dixon (Lakers) Augustas Marciulionis (Lakers) Best Available Players Augustas Marciulionis (Lakers) Coleman Hawkins (Warriors) Oumar Ballo (Heat) Dain Dainja (Heat) LJ Cryer (Warriors) RJ Davis (Lakers) Arthur Kaluma (Lakers) Ibrahima Diallo (Spurs) Isaiah Mobley (Warriors) Kira Lewis Jr (Heat) Prediction Lakers – 2–1 Heat – 2–1 Spurs – 2–1 Warriors – 0–3 I predict that the Heat, Lakers, and Spurs all go 2–1, while the Warriors go 0–3. I think the Lakers will have the tiebreaker (point differential), with Dalton Knecht winning the MVP (if they did that). Obviously, take this with a grain of salt — Summer League games are nearly impossible to predict. Enjoy summer basketball! You can find Owen Pannell on X here. Shop the Official NBA Store here.

By Owen Pannell | KZA Sports After a magical championship season for the Oklahoma City Thunder, it's time to hand out grades for each player’s performance. From MVP-level dominance to under-the-radar contributors, here's how the roster stacks up. Brandon Carlson – A For someone who got a 10-day in November, he ended up really well. Averaging 4 points and 2 rebounds with good defense in 32 games played is pretty solid for a two-way player, and he also put up 19 points and 9 rebounds in the G League. He likely earned himself a spot as a two-way player next year. Alex Caruso – A If this was only a playoff grading, this would be an easy A+. However, his offense during the regular season wasn’t too good. His defense was elite, however, and in the playoffs the Thunder do not win the championship without Caruso. Great season for him. Ousmane Dieng – C After statistically the worst season of his career, Dieng’s future in OKC is in question. He certainly has potential, but he won’t get enough playing time in OKC to maximize that. He could be traded before this offseason is over, and we will see if he will hit his potential. Lu Dort – A+ Finally getting the national recognition he deserves, he made All-Defensive 1st Team. Being the best defender on a historic defense, guarding elite scorers every single night, is all you can ask of Dort, so this is a perfect season from him. Alex Ducas – C- Barely did anything in the NBA or the G League, his future in the league is definitely in jeopardy. He would have liked this season to go differently. Adam Flagler – B Flagler is a fan favorite. He probably won’t ever have a great career in the NBA, but the fans sure do love him. He is a very talented scorer (demonstrated in the G League) and he is not afraid to let them fly when he comes up to the big leagues. Didn’t hit a lot of his shots this year, but at least he has all the support he needs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – A+ This is the most obvious A+ of all time. MVP, WCF MVP, Finals MVP, scoring champ, All-NBA 1st Team, All-Star — not much else you could ask for from SGA. He has cemented himself as a top 2 (1) player in the world, so any other grade than an A+ would invalidate this entire list. Isaiah Hartenstein – A- He only played 57 regular season games, but this was the best season of his career and was a HUGE part to the success of OKC this season. His play dropped a little bit in the postseason, but he was still amazing and was a great free agency signing for the Thunder last offseason. Chet Holmgren – B Sadly, what was on pace to be an All-NBA season for Chet was hindered thanks to a hip injury, but he came back and was elite defensively in the playoffs. His offense was questionable after his injury, but he made up for it on the defensive side of the ball. Without him, OKC doesn’t win this championship, and I know he will be even better next year. Isaiah Joe – B+ Isaiah Joe was an elite 3-point shooter in the regular season, but he sort of fell off in the playoffs. Averaging 10 points and close to 3 threes a game is amazing, but he didn’t get much run in the postseason, likely thanks to his poor defense. Still, coming off a contract extension, this was a good season for Joe. Dillon Jones – C- For being a 1st-round pick, Jones was pretty disappointing this year. He has shown some flashes, but even in the G League he just wasn’t great. After recently being traded to the Wizards, maybe he can develop there. Ajay Mitchell – B+ Mitchell solidified himself as a good bench PG, and just earned himself an extension. He missed more than half the games, which is why this grade isn’t an A, but when he did play he looked much better than a rookie 2nd-round pick. Cason Wallace – A+ Cason Wallace is gonna be a great player for a long time. He is an elite defender, and can get buckets on the other side. He has drawn comparisons to Jrue Holiday, and in only his 2nd year Wallace has turned into an All-Defensive level player. Aaron Wiggins – A+ If you told me last year that Aaron Wiggins would have a 40-piece this year, I wouldn’t believe you. He was an elite scorer off the bench this year, and when the starters were out he was able to carry the offensive load. He didn’t fall off in the playoffs either, giving the Thunder quality minutes on their way to a championship. Jalen Williams – A+ JDub has locked himself in as a top 20 player in the NBA, probably even higher. All-NBA 3rd Team, All-Star, and All-Defensive Team as the 2nd option on the best team in the NBA is insane. He has progressed so much, and his best basketball is still ahead of him. Jaylin Williams – A+ JWill is extremely underappreciated. He held it down when he was our only center, and was a great backup big all year. He also absolutely clamped Jokic in Round 2 of the playoffs. His biggest impact though: on the bench and in the locker room. He is the goated teammate, and impacts the game so much even when he’s off the floor. Kenrich Williams – A Kenrich Williams is the perfect role player. Willing to do whatever the team needs him to do, whether that’s on the floor or off the floor. When he gets in the game, he finds any way he can to make an impact. Great, great player the Thunder have in Kenny Hustle. You can find Owen on X here. Shop the Official NBA Store here.