Preseason Power Rankings, Part 4 | Group Chat

Summary of Preseason Power Rankings, Part 4 | Group Chat

by The Ringer

1h 12m•October 9, 2025
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Summary — Preseason Power Rankings, Part 4 | Group Chat (The Ringer)

Host: Justin Verrier
Guests: Rob Mahoney, Big (and others)
Episode focus: Preseason NBA power rankings — teams #15 through #11 — with analysis of roster construction, injuries, role clarity, and upside/risk for each team.

Overview

This episode continues The Ringer’s preseason power-rankings series, covering teams ranked 15–11. The hosts mix light banter with detailed team-by-team breakdowns, focusing on how new additions, injuries, roster fit, and development trajectories could shape each team’s upcoming season. Each team gets a short diagnosis, an “existential” question about its future, and notes on players to watch.

Teams Covered & Key Takeaways

#15 — Dallas Mavericks

  • Big topic: Rookie Cooper Flagg (the No. 1 pick) and how he fits alongside Anthony Davis (AD), P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford, D’Angelo Russell, and the existing Mavericks core.
  • Outlook:
    • Defense and frontcourt size are advantages (rim protection, rebounding).
    • Offense is a question: lack of reliable ball handlers until Kyrie Irving returns (uncertain health/availability).
    • Flagg expected to provide playmaking, toughness, and contribute early — but asking a lot of a rookie.
  • Roster moves to watch: P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford are trade candidates to clear rotation/space.
  • Existential question/nickname idea: Will AD + Dereck Lively frontcourt be called the “Twin Peaks”?

#14 — Memphis Grizzlies

  • Big topic: The Desmond Bane trade and whether Memphis’ retooling will spark a real step forward.
  • Outlook:
    • Team still contains high-upside pieces (Ja Morant, Santi Aldama, Brandon Clarke, etc.), but durability and consistency (especially from Ja) are major concerns.
    • Depth and injuries on the frontcourt (Zach Edey mention, Jaren Jackson Jr. context) create pressure to play smaller or rely on often-injured depth pieces.
  • Personnel/POI: Ty Jerome/Tyus Jones as guard insurance, Cedric “Coward” (a mystery rookie-type name from transcript) as a wild-card wing.
  • Existential question: Can Ja Morant stay healthy and play a full season of high-level basketball to justify the roster moves?

#13 — San Antonio Spurs

  • Big topic: Integration of Victor Wembanyama (“Wimby”) with new/upgraded backcourt pieces (Fox mentioned in discussion), and how the guard rotation (Dylan Harper, others) will fit.
  • Outlook:
    • High upside if Wembanyama is healthy and the Fox–Wemby partnership (or similar guard combos) clicks.
    • Lots of young talent and interchangeable frontcourt options — creates both flexibility and lineup uncertainty.
    • Need to figure out consistent patterns of play between Wemby and the guards; defense should improve with healthy Wemby.
  • Roster notes: Multiple guard combinations to test; Luke Cornett and Kelly Olynyk noted as useful big-man depth.
  • Existential question: Will the Fox + Wembanyama partnership prove itself as a foundation?

#12 — Detroit Pistons

  • Big topic: Development trajectory of the young core (Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Jaden Ivey, Ausar Thompson, Ron Holland) and whether continuity yields a meaningful leap.
  • Outlook:
    • Optimistic case: Defined identity and offseason continuity lead to a step forward; Cade’s continued maturation is central.
    • Risks: Loss of key spot-up shooters (e.g., Malik Beasley), uncertainty about roles (Ron Holland vs. Ausar Thompson), and how many minutes/discipline Isaiah Stewart brings (comic aside about fights).
  • Player notes: Cade Cunningham’s downhill play and playmaking last season were promising; Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland are intriguing developmental projects.
  • Existential question (funny): Over/under on fights started by the Pistons — reflects their physical, edgy identity.

#11 — Atlanta Hawks

  • Big topic: Roster makeover around Trae Young — additions like Nikhil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, and frontcourt pieces (portrayed as “Chris Stapps”/Kristaps-analogue and Yaka Kongu).
  • Outlook:
    • Very high upside if injuries and chemistry cooperate. The team could be a real playoff threat in the East.
    • Major unknowns: Jalen Johnson’s availability/consistency and how the new depth affects Trae Young’s usage/necessity.
    • Defense looks deeper with athletic wings; if Trae maintains elite playmaking, the Hawks can be dangerous.
  • Financial/long-term caveat: Trae Young’s contract situation looms if the team succeeds — paying him may become inevitable.
  • Existential question: Does this new construction make Trae Young essential to the team’s success — or more replaceable because of improved roster balance?

Common Themes & Main Takeaways

  • Health and availability of star players (Kyrie, Anthony Davis, Ja Morant, Victor Wembanyama, Jalen Johnson) are the biggest determinants of team outcomes.
  • Roster construction vs. role clarity: A recurring tension — teams with many promising pieces (Memphis, Spurs, Hawks) must define roles to realize upside.
  • Rookie/young-player impact: Cooper Flagg (Dallas), Wembanyama (Spurs), Ron Holland (Detroit), and others have high expectations but uncertain immediate impact.
  • Trade / salary-cap realities will shape midseason moves (e.g., Mavericks’ extensions limiting wiggle room, potential PJ Washington/Gafford trades).
  • Defensive identity and frontcourt size are prioritized by several teams (Mavericks, Spurs, Hawks) as a foundation; offense will require adaptation.

Notable Quotes & Insights

  • “If you find anything too huge or too distant it dramatically changes the way you live your life.” — early banter on knowing the future (tone-setting).
  • On Ja Morant: “You gotta like actually do it, bro.” — expressing frustration about potential vs. consistency.
  • On Detroit: “They are maniacs” — encapsulates the Pistons’ physical/edgy identity.
  • Proposed nickname: “Twin Peaks” for Anthony Davis + Dereck Lively frontcourt pairing (Mavericks commentary).

Topics Discussed (Quick List)

  • Roster fits, trade candidates, and cap space constraints
  • Rookie expectations and early-career roles
  • Injuries and medical red flags (AD, Kyrie, Wembanyama, Ja Morant)
  • Team identity (defense vs. offense; size vs. spacing)
  • Contract/long-term decisions (Trae Young)
  • Coaching/vision clarity (Grizzlies coaching reset)

Action Items / Recommendations (for listeners and watchers)

  • Mavericks: Watch Cooper Flagg’s handling/playmaking early, Kyrie Irving’s status, and whether PJ Washington / Daniel Gafford are traded.
  • Grizzlies: Track Ja Morant’s health and consistency; monitor how newly acquired assets & picks are deployed.
  • Spurs: Observe how Victor Wembanyama and the backcourt find consistent lineups — Fox+Wimby chemistry is the key storyline.
  • Pistons: Follow Cade Cunningham’s continued development and how Ausar Thompson / Ron Holland split minutes; Isaiah Stewart’s availability influences team identity.
  • Hawks: Monitor Jalen Johnson’s minutes/health and how Trae Young’s playmaking meshes with new defensive wings; keep an eye on team success vs. impending contract decisions for Trae.

Final Note

This episode blends deep X-and-O notes with personality and humor. The hosts emphasize that many rankings hinge on uncertain injuries, evolving roles, and whether young players take expected leaps — the podcast leaves listeners with clear watchlists for the early season.