Overview of The Bill Simmons Podcast: An Icy Tatum-Brown Reunion and the NBA’s Most Screwed Teams
Bill Simmons and Rob Mahoney discuss the Celtics’ lopsided win over Philadelphia, where Paul George impressed and the first meeting between former teammates Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown felt tense. Simmons also recaps several NFL deadline moves. In the main conversation, the hosts assess struggling NBA teams, their trade options, and how bad contracts, missed opportunities, and the second apron have narrowed their paths forward. They name Sacramento as the franchise in the worst position, with Milwaukee and Phoenix close behind.
Celtics-Sixers: A Cold Reunion and a Celtics Blowout
Simmons praised George’s fit in Boston: he moves the ball, defends multiple positions, and has played better than expected. The Celtics’ decision to trade Brown for George and draft picks had seemed questionable over the summer, but Simmons said George’s strong start made the gamble look worthwhile.
The pregame meeting between Tatum and Brown added an awkward edge to the game. Brown spun a ball and appeared to ignore Tatum, whom Simmons thought could have simply greeted him. Brown then struggled during the game, while Boston pulled away with open three-pointers and finished 22-for-49 from beyond the arc.
Simmons saw the result as encouraging for Boston, while cautioning that one regular-season game says little about how the teams will fare over a full season. He also acknowledged that Brown had been an important Celtic and that the split might have left hard feelings on both sides.
What the Game Suggested About Philadelphia
Simmons and Mahoney viewed Philadelphia’s second-half defense as the clearest problem: the Sixers trapped poorly and repeatedly left Celtics shooters open. They also wondered how a roster with several players accustomed to a large role would respond when the offense stalled.
Tyrese Maxey stood out as the Sixer most capable of taking over, while Joel Embiid looked less mobile and more reliant on drawing fouls and midrange shots. Simmons said LeBron James still contributed, but no longer had the same ability to blow past defenders in isolation.
The hosts stopped short of treating the loss as a verdict on Philadelphia. Simmons pointed to the Celtics’ unusually hot three-point shooting and the Sixers’ unusually large free-throw advantage as reasons the game may not be a reliable preview of a future matchup.
NFL Trade Deadline Takeaways
Simmons backed Minnesota’s decision to trade a third-round pick for Kirk Cousins, arguing that a 6–2 team with a strong defense should prioritize stability at quarterback. He also supported Buffalo’s move for safety Micah Hyde.
He was less convinced by Jacksonville’s decision to give up a first- and second-round pick for Jordan Davis, which he viewed as an expensive bet on a player whose role and production did not justify that price. Kansas City’s trade for receiver Josh Downs seemed like a reasonable fit. Jonathan Taylor stayed in Indianapolis, leaving Simmons to joke that his hoped-for trade to the Giants never materialized.
The NBA’s Struggling Teams
Cleveland and Sacramento
Cleveland’s early losses raised questions about its identity and its ability to defend and rebound. Mahoney said James Harden’s decline had become difficult to ignore, while Simmons noted that the team’s expensive contracts leave few easy fixes. They also debated whether the second apron is making owners too cautious about spending on good players.
Sacramento drew the hosts’ harshest assessment. They cited years of poor decisions, limited trade assets, and the loss or mishandling of young players. Rookie Darius Acuff was a bright spot, but the Kings’ own draft pick may be their most important short-term chance to improve.
Milwaukee, Brooklyn, and Utah
Milwaukee’s problems, in the hosts’ view, stem from mistimed moves around Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Damian Lillard stretch-and-sign decision, and deals that left the team with little control over its own picks for years. They identified rookie Brayden Burries as a promising young player, but saw a long rebuild ahead.
Brooklyn has struggled to develop enough young talent to show for its rebuilding years. Julius Randle has not helped the team, while Michael Porter Jr. may be its most appealing trade piece. Utah, meanwhile, has promising players but little cohesion: the hosts described a roster without a clear offensive structure or enough players who complement one another. They questioned whether the Jazz should consider trading Lauri Markkanen.
Chicago, the Clippers, Orlando, Charlotte, and Phoenix
Chicago’s poor start could give the franchise a useful reset. Mahoney was especially bullish on rookie Caleb Wilson, whom he sees as a potential franchise-level prospect. The hosts suggested the Bulls should use the season to build around him and make careful decisions about their other young players.
For the Clippers, a key question is whether Darius Garland and rookie Wagler can play well together. The hosts also saw several veterans as possible trade assets. Orlando’s ongoing injuries and roster fit problems led them to consider whether the team should explore a major change, including a possible Franz Wagner trade.
Charlotte’s start has been rough, but the hosts advised patience while the team’s young players and recent moves have time to develop. Phoenix looked more troubled: Simmons argued its defensive identity had faded, while expensive contracts and past trades left the Suns with little room to correct course.
Broader Takeaways and the Worst-Positioned Franchise
The conversation returned to two league-wide pressures: the second apron can limit teams’ flexibility, and the new lottery rules give teams a reason to avoid finishing among the very worst records. That may push struggling franchises toward trades aimed at climbing out of the bottom tier, even when they are not close to contention.
Mahoney and Simmons ultimately chose Sacramento as the league’s worst-positioned franchise. They pointed to its history of mismanagement, thin assets, and dependence on a favorable draft outcome. Milwaukee and Phoenix were also in serious trouble, though the hosts saw Sacramento as having the fewest credible short-term routes out.