The NBA trade market has officially flipped: even “untouchable” superstars are suddenly available — and sometimes for shockingly low prices. Ric Bucher and NBA champion Brendan Haywood react to reports that the Memphis Grizzlies are entertaining a Ja Morant trade, then connect it to a larger league-wide trend: teams are backing away from max and supermax commitments if they don’t trust a star’s daily habits, durability, or cultural fit.

From Trae Young being moved for a “discount” package to the idea that today’s billionaire owners treat roster-building like a portfolio (cheap labor, draft-pick “hope,” and controlled overhead), Ric and Brendan break down what this means for the next wave of stars — and which teams should buy low if Ja really is available.

Then the conversation pivots to the court: OKC’s midseason slide and why physicality + scouting adjustments are catching up with the Thunder. Finally, Brendan drops his top three college prospects right now (with a loaded draft in view), explains why Cam Boozer is the player he’s most cautious about translating to the NBA, and sets the record straight on Cooper Flagg’s athleticism and offensive development.

Watch the full episode: https://www.youtube.com/@UnitedWeCast

• 00:00 Finding The Seams intro: the jump from college → pros and roster spot → starter
• 00:44 “Breaking news”: Grizzlies entertaining a Ja Morant trade
• 02:35 Trial balloons, fan noise, and owners reacting to social media pressure
• 03:25 “If we don’t like you, we’re not doing business with you” — new superstar reality
• 05:21 Why max/supermax + stricter cap rules make teams pickier than ever
• 06:58 How much do players know before trades? Extensions, options, and “we know how it works”
• 09:28 Trae Young trade shock: “Luxury goods don’t go on sale… I was wrong.”
• 14:49 If Ja’s price is low… Minnesota as the swing-for-the-fences fit
• 17:23 Ja’s contract value vs “reasonable” NBA money now
• 18:26 Players vs owners: why stars are still “underpaid” in NBA economics
• 20:12 Mark Cuban & Lamar Odom story: “I pay quadruple that in taxes”
• 23:31 Another Ja destination: Houston (Ime + a scary lineup vision)
• 26:00 New equity owners, draft picks as cheap labor, and selling hope
• 30:02 OKC’s slide: human nature, scouting adjustments, and matching physicality
• 34:25 Passing on LeBron/Rich Paul — pivot to college hoops
• 35:10 Brendan’s top 3 college players right now (and why)
• 36:59 The prospect who makes him nervous: Cam Boozer translation concerns
• 39:00 Carlos Boozer’s “AAAH!” layup-line trick to sell contact to refs
• 40:01 Cooper Flagg: athleticism debate + developing go-to moves
• 42:25 Wrap-up + “chef” banter

#FindingTheSeams #RicBucher #BrendanHaywood #NBA #JaMorant #MemphisGrizzlies #NBATrades #TraeYoung #Supermax #NBASalaryCap #NBAOwners #OKCThunder #SGA #CollegeBasketball #NBADraft #CooperFlagg #CamBoozer #CalebWilson #DarrenPeterson #AJDevasta #UnitedWeCastNetwork

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On this episode of Finding The Seams, Ric Bucher and NBA champion Brendan Haywood cover everything from failed 72-hour fasts to the most important debates shaping today’s NBA.

Brendan explains why his first-ever fast ended after 36 hours, why retired big men fight to keep weight off, and why seven-footers have the gnarliest feet in professional sports. Then the conversation turns serious with the impact of Nikola Jokić’s injury, how it could reshape the Western Conference, and why teams like the San Antonio Spurs may suddenly become nightmare playoff matchups.

The duo break down why Victor Wembanyama is already changing offensive behavior across the league, debate the controversial 65-game minimum for NBA awards, and argue why “availability is part of ability.”

Brendan also shares unforgettable stories from playing alongside Michael Jordan, including what MJ put his body through at age 40 just to give fans “the Michael Jordan experience.” The episode closes with a heated discussion on whether LeBron James deserves an automatic All-Star spot—and wild behind-the-scenes stories about David Stern that prove the NBA used to operate very differently.

• 0:00 – Welcome to Finding The Seams
• 1:40 – Brendan’s 36-hour fast (and why he folded)
• 4:30 – Why NBA big men have destroyed feet
• 6:00 – Nikola Jokic injury & West playoff chaos
• 9:15 – Why Wembanyama already warps defenses
• 12:40 – The 65-game rule explained
• 17:30 – Michael Jordan’s “play no matter what” mentality
• 20:15 – Should LeBron be an automatic All-Star?
• 25:20 – David Stern’s ruthless commissioner stories
• 36:00 – Rookie class standouts & surprises
• 43:00 – Fast talk, family hierarchy & closing laughs

#FindingTheSeams #NBATalk #NBAPodcast #MichaelJordan #LeBronJames #VictorWembanyama #NikolaJokic #NBAAllStar #65GameRule #UnitedWeCast

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It’s a post-holiday edition of Finding The Seams with Ric Bucher and NBA champ Brendan Haywood, and it starts with Brendan attempting a 72-hour fast (yes, really) before the conversation turns into a full-on NBA culture and contenders breakdown.

The guys dive into why the San Antonio Spurs are 3-0 vs the Oklahoma City Thunder, what that says about Victor Wembanyama vs Chet Holmgren, and why OKC may have accidentally given the Spurs something dangerous: confidence. Then the focus shifts to the Los Angeles Lakers, where JJ Redick’s blunt “we don’t care enough” message meets a harsh NBA truth: the ultimate “or what?” moment—because you can’t just bench LeBron James or Luka Doncic.

From there, Ric and Brendan connect the dots on the Warriors’ culture cracks, Draymond Green vs Steve Kerr, and why the organization—not just the coach—has to set the tone. They close with the Cleveland Cavaliers’ puzzling regression, debating Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley—and who you’d actually build around.

00:00 – Show intro: college-to-pro jump, roster battles

00:43 – Post-holiday check-in: Brendan attempts a 72-hour fast

02:06 – Best holiday gifts + sneaker talk + “Varnel Hill” swagger jokes

05:29 – Spurs vs OKC: why San Antonio is a real problem for the Thunder

08:26 – Spurs’ advantage: multiple ball-handlers + Wemby mismatch

09:21 – Wemby vs Chet: “battery in Chet’s back” + intensity discussion

11:39 – Brendan’s LeBron story: hard foul, forearm shiver, respect

14:48 – Lakers: JJ Redick’s frustration after blowout loss

17:19 – Houston’s athleticism exposes Lakers’ limits

17:50 – The NBA coaching reality: the ultimate “Or what?” moment

20:00 – Why that “or what” can damage coaching authority long-term

21:45 – Lakers roster construction + defense problem without elite rim protection

24:01 – LeBron’s discomfort in a Luka-led reality

26:53 – Lakers & Warriors parallels: aging cores, defensive strain

28:18 – Warriors: Kerr/Dray tension and discipline vs culture

30:45 – Pop coaching Tim Duncan: how great orgs set the standard

33:36 – Why front offices must back the coach (Miami model)

35:09 – Warriors’ “last gasp” argument + payroll/roster trap

37:58 – Cavaliers: what’s gone wrong, young guys not progressing

42:15 – Cavs “value ranking”: Mobley vs Mitchell vs Garland debate

46:44 – Outro: will Brendan survive the fast? (stay tuned)

#FindingTheSeams #RicBucher #BrendanHaywood #NBA #Lakers #LeBronJames #LukaDoncic #JJRedick #Spurs #Wembanyama #Thunder #ChetHolmgren #Warriors #DraymondGreen #SteveKerr #Cavaliers #DonovanMitchell #DariusGarland #EvanMobley #NBAPodcast

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