Zach is joined by Howard Beck to draft the best games remaining in the NBA season. Then, they preview awards season and share their All-NBA teams as well as their MVP picks.  (0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show! (2:06) Howard Beck joins to draft the best remaining games (11:48) Knicks travel to Cleveland in late February (22:10) Spurs host the Nuggets on March 12 (36:31) Timberwolves-Rockets at the end of the season (49:24) All-NBA first team predictions (58:38) All-NBA second team predictions (1:08:44 ) All-NBA third team predictions (1:15:09) MVP ballots Host: Zach Lowe Guest: Howard Beck Producers: Mike Wargon, Jonathan Frias, and Billy Gil Social: Keith Fujimoto This episode is presented by State Farm®️. Dishing the assists you need off the court. State Farm®️ with the Assist. This episode is sponsored by Anthropic, the team behind Claude. Try Claude for free today at Claude.ai/lowe The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zach is joined by Rob Mahoney to answer the NBA’s biggest questions, including which teams are real title contenders and the coaches and players who are most intriguing. Then, J. Kyle Mann comes on to reopen the Brandon Miller-Scoot Henderson debate. (0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show! (2:13) Big Questions with Rob Mahoney (6:07) Are the Thunder more vulnerable now than earlier in the season? (12:44) There are only four teams who could seriously win the West (21:33) Is Detroit a real title contender? (28:29) The four teams who could realistically win the East (31:19) What to make of the Celtics? (36:59) Are the Knicks the most confusing team in the league? (46:31) Which team most wants to avoid the play-in? (52:36) Jamahl Mosley will be the most scrutinized coach (56:05) Who is the most intriguing player for the rest of the year? (1:01:25) Tanking still needs more reform (1:12:29) The NBA version of the papal conclave (1:14:39) J. Kyle Mann revisiting the Scoot Henderson-Brandon Miller draft debate (1:24:12) Brandon Miller is unquestionably the better asset right now (1:35:15) Scoot has been injured, but people are forgetting about him (1:43:45) What would a redraft look like? Host: Zach Lowe Guests: Rob Mahoney and J. Kyle Mann Producers: Mike Wargon, Jonathan Frias, and Billy Gil Social: Keith Fujimoto This episode is presented by State Farm®️. Dishing the assists you need off the court. State Farm®️ with the Assist. #ULTRAinstructor could get you closer to the action! https://michelobultra.com/instructor MICHELOB ULTRA®️ ULTRA Instructor. No Purchase Necessary. Open to US residents 21 plus. Begins on January 30, 2026 and ends on February 22, 2026. See Official Rules at https://michelobultra.com/rules for free entry, entry deadlines, prizes, and details. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zach is joined by The Athletic's Fred Katz to go through the biggest news and notes in the association, including Jaren Jackson Jr. being shut down for the remainder of the season. Then, they discuss the tanking epidemic and share ways to improve it before closing the show by revealing their best player fits after the trade deadline. (0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show! (2:06) Fred Katz joins the show! (3:20) Aftermath of Pistons-Hornets brawl (12:11) Jayson Tatum practices (24:00) Brandon Ingram named All-Star replacement for Steph Curry (29:12) What will the Suns look like moving forward? (25:03) Jaren Jackson Jr. will miss the remainder of the season (44:55) De’Aaron Fox has replaced Giannis in the All-Star Game (46:51) The tanking crisis is here like it's never been before (1:01:39) How the NBA could fix its tanking problems (1:17:10) Best player fits after the deadline (1:24:34) Jeremy Sochan signs with the Knicks Host: Zach Lowe Guest: Fred Katz Producers: Mike Wargon, Jonathan Frias, and Billy Gil Social: Keith Fujimoto This episode is presented by State Farm®️. Dishing the assists you need off the court. State Farm®️ with the Assist. Thousands of cars and the largest online selection of vehicle parts. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zach is joined by Mo Dakhil to determine who’s on notice following the trade deadline. They discuss how Darius Garland and James Harden fit on their new teams, debate where Kawhi Leonard ranks among the NBA’s best, and challenge the Rockets and Timberwolves. (0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show! (1:53) Mo Dakhil joins the show! (2:44) Who’s on notice after the trade deadline? (3:38) Darius Garland is on notice (10:54) Kawhi has been playing like the best player in the league (25:01) The Houston Rockets and their offense is on notice (35:27) Tanking in the NBA is ugly, and the rules need changing (53:34) Miami’s front office has been bad (57:50) Timberwolves need to prove whether they’re a serious contender or not (1:01:28) Can the refs stop calling fouls when offensive players throw their bodies into defenders? (1:07:13) What in the world is the Bulls front office doing? Host: Zach Lowe Guest: Mo Dakhil Producers: Mike Wargon, Jonathan Frias, and Billy Gil Social: Keith Fujimoto This episode is presented by State Farm®️. Dishing the assists you need off the court. State Farm®️ with the Assist. #ULTRAinstructor could get you closer to the action! https://michelobultra.com/instructor MICHELOB ULTRA®️ ULTRA Instructor. No Purchase Necessary. Open to US residents 21 plus. Begins on January 30, 2026 and ends on February 22, 2026. See Official Rules at https://michelobultra.com/rules for free entry, entry deadlines, prizes, and details. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zach is joined by Kirk Goldsberry to recap the trade deadline, discuss the biggest moves, and explain what Giannis staying put means. Then, Kevin Pelton comes on to share his winners and losers of the deadline. (0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show! (1:53) Kirk Goldsberry joins the show! (4:24) Pacers acquire Ivica Zubac (10:29) What does this mean for the Clippers? (20:36) Is the league turning on small guards? (24:17) Anthony Davis is a Wizard (37:54) Small trades that left us flabbergasted (42:21) Giannis remains in Milwaukee past the deadline (58:42) Trade deadline winners and losers with Kevin Pelton! (1:07:01) Could the 76ers have pursued Giannis? (1:13:08) Ja Morant has to be a loser of this deadline (1:21:55) What are the Bulls looking for? (1:31:53) Timberwolves remain Zach’s sneak title contender Host: Zach Lowe Guests: Kirk Goldsberry and Kevin Pelton Producers: Mike Wargon, Jonathan Frias, and Billy Gil Social: Keith Fujimoto This episode is presented by State Farm®️. Dishing the assists you need off the court. State Farm®️ with the Assist. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zach is joined by Bobby Marks to recap a wild day in the NBA! They start with the Cavaliers acquiring James Harden from the Clippers and discuss the implications for both teams. Then, they break down Jaren Jackson Jr. heading to Utah and the Celtics trading for Nikola Vucevic before trying to determine what the Timberwolves' next move will be. (0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show!(1:41) Bobby Marks joins the show!(5:30) What does James Harden get out of this?(9:21) This is an astonishing lack of faith in Darius Garland(23:16) Does this mean Kawhi could be on the move?(29:28) Jaren Jackson Jr. traded to the Jazz(39:45) What does this mean for Memphis?(46:27) Nikola Vucevic traded to the Celtics for Anfernee Simons(51:06) Tatum’s return looms over this deal(56:57) Bulls, Pistons, and Timberwolves three-team deal(1:03:52) What’s next for the Timberwolves?(1:12:07) Is there a Cinderella Giannis team out there? Host: Zach LoweGuest: Bobby MarksProducers: Mike Wargon, Jonathan Frias, and Billy GilSocial: Keith Fujimoto This episode is presented by State Farm®️. Dishing the assists you need off the court. State Farm®️ with the Assist. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zach is joined by Kirk Goldsberry to break down OKC’s latest win over Denver before recapping the trades thus far. Then, Rob Mahoney comes to share his thoughts on the All-Star rosters and Paul George’s suspension before closing the show with their Rookie of the Year picks. (0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show! (1:51) Kirk Goldsberry joins the show! (7:56) Takeaways from Thunder-Nuggets (16:22) If Denver wants to beat the Thunder, they need Aaron Gordon (20:26) Early MVP discussion (28:05) Kings trade for De’Andre Hunter (40:13) Hornets continue to be a blast to watch (42:25) Blazers make deal for Krejci (46:57) Rob Mahoney on this year’s All-Stars! (49:59) Are we surprised LeBron got a spot? (59:33) Lets move on to the East (1:08:20) Paul George suspended 25 games (1:25:50) Who should be Rookie of the Year? Host: Zach Lowe Guests: Kirk Goldsberry and Rob Mahoney Producers: Mike Wargon, Jonathan Frias, and Billy Gil Social: Keith Fujimoto This episode is presented by State Farm®️. Dishing the assists you need off the court. State Farm®️ with the Assist. #ULTRAinstructor could get you closer to the action! https://michelobultra.com/instructor MICHELOB ULTRA®️ ULTRA Instructor. No Purchase Necessary. Open to US residents 21 plus. Begins on January 30, 2026 and ends on February 22, 2026. See Official Rules at https://michelobultra.com/rules for free entry, entry deadlines, prizes, and details. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zach is joined by Howard Beck as Giannis trade rumors kick into overdrive. They discuss the teams that make the most sense and what each team needs to keep in mind. Then, they each share their biggest X factors for the rest of the season. (0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show! (1:52) Howard Beck joins the show! (7:52) Should the Bucks move Giannis in the next week? (13:05) Which teams are actually trying to trade for him? (21:31) The Heat are the most interesting team. (28:22) Ranking X factors for the rest of the season. (33:39) How would a potential Jayson Tatum return affect the Celtics? (41:31) Will Joel Embiid stay healthy the rest of the year? (52:45) Will Jalen Williams find a return to form? (1:00:46) What does the rest of the season hold for Karl-Anthony Towns? (1:03:12) How will Austin Reaves’s return change the Lakers? (1:04:13) What will a healthy Magic team look like? Host: Zach Lowe Guest: Howard Beck Producers: Mike Wargon, Jonathan Frias, and Billy Gil Social: Keith Fujimoto Check out thousands of cars and the largest online selection of vehicle parts. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zach is joined by Mo Dakhil to discuss what Giannis’s latest injury means for the already-slumping Bucks. Then, they break down how the Nuggets have stayed afloat without Jokic, before running through the underdiscussed risers and fallers! Finally, Zach closes the show with his Insights to Mediocrity! (0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show! (1:26) Mo Dakhil joins the show! (5:11) The Bucks’ season is over without Giannis (12:25) It makes the most sense to wait until the offseason for a Giannis trade (22:20) The Nuggets have weathered Jokic’s injury incredibly well (30:12) The Clippers are in the process of one of the most dramatic turnarounds in NBA history (41:46) What changed for the Clippers? (46:20) Something has changed for the better in Charlotte (56:30) Charlotte should stay the course at the deadline (1:01:57) The Magic continue to struggle (1:15:23) The Timberwolves have lost five straight games (1:24:39) Zach’s Insights to Mediocrity! Host: Zach Lowe Guest: Mo Dakhil Producers: Mike Wargon, Jonathan Frias, and Billy Gil Social: Keith Fujimoto This episode is presented by State Farm®️. Dishing the assists you need off the court. State Farm®️ with the Assist. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zach is joined by Michael Pina to once again cover more of Giannis’s strange postgame comments and to break down the weirdest team in the league: the Houston Rockets. Then, Baxter Holmes takes us inside the sale of the Lakers and the family drama that went along with it before Sean Fennessey comes on to recap a wild week on Mets Corner. (0:00) Welcome to The Zach Lowe Show! (1:34) Michael Pina joins the show! (4:31) Did the Wolves win the KAT trade? (6:55) Giannis once again makes strange comments (19:46) The Warriors' hopes were over long before the Jimmy Butler injury (26:35) The Rockets are the weirdest team in the NBA (36:27) The Rockets are good but would need luck to win a title (47:53) Kevin Durant’s legacy (54:17) Mid-season Sixth Man of the Year pick (57:48) Zach welcomes in Baxter Holmes! (1:02:16) Does the Buss family's sale of the Lakers mean that the team is past the dysfunction? (1:08:53) The family drama here is just sad (1:15:22) How does LeBron factor into this? (1:21:27) Mets Corner with Sean Fennessey! Host: Zach Lowe Guests: Michael Pina, Baxter Holmes, and Sean Fennessey Producers: Mike Wargon, Jonathan Frias, and Billy Gil Social: Keith Fujimoto The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices