The Woj Pod

Orlando Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman joins Adrian Wojnarowski to discuss the reshaping of the Magic franchise, the evolution of the GM position, growing up the son of two NBA executives, life in the locker room of the St. Louis Spirits as a kid, and much more.

In the entirety of its ESPN SportsCenter conversation, Oklahoma City Thunder star Paul George sits down with Adrian Wojnarowski to discuss his future in OKC, partnership with Russell Westbrook, departure from Indiana, and the trade that never happened with the Golden State Warriors.

Monty Williams joins Adrian Wojnarowski on the podcast to discuss his desire to become an NBA head coach again, the lessons learned working in the San Antonio front office this year, Tim Duncan, and lessons of empathy and patience learned in the wake of his wife’s tragic death. Williams talks about balancing fatherhood with his profession, how the Spurs front office has prepared him to take on a president’s and coach’s role in the NBA, and much more in an illuminating visit.

Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress joins The Vertical Podcast with Woj to breakdown the Paul George trade market, Kristaps Porzingis, D'Angelo Russell's trade to Brooklyn and Thursday's NBA Draft.

Front office insider Bobby Marks joins The Vertical Podcast with Woj for a Paul George special edition of the show. Bobby and Woj breakdown everything surrounding George's plan to leave the Pacers in free agency in 2018 and join the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency, possible trade scenarios between now and Thursday's NBA Draft, the Lakers as a future free agent destination, why the Knicks are no longer a target for top free agents and much more.

Front-office insider Bobby Marks joins The Vertical Podcast with Woj to discuss the future of the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers, the summer free agency class that includes Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Kyle Lowry, Gordon Hayward, the new cost of doing business in the NBA and how the top of the 2017 NBA Draft lottery could unfold next week.

Utah Jazz coach Quin Snyder joins The Vertical Podcast with Woj for a rare extended interview, touching on the revitalization of the Jazz franchise, the growth and pending free agency of All-Star Gordon Hayward, his own coaching comeback in the NBA after a tumultuous ending in college basketball, including how the NBA D-League saved his career. 1:56: The difficulty of unplugging after each season and the benefits of getting away during the offseason. 4:15: Utah’s steady progress during Snyder’s three seasons. 6:18: The team’s approach to Gordon Hayward’s free agency this summer. 9:36: Snyder’s creativity and experimentation in maximizing Hayward’s skillset. 16:34: How the dominance of the Warriors impacts how the Jazz build their roster. 20:08: The partnership between Snyder and Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey. 24:25: How Snyder’s three years in the D-League transformed his career. 32:07: Leaving Duke for his first head-coaching job at Missouri and the resentment towards him. 37:17: The year between leaving Missouri and taking the job in the D-League in Austin. 39:44: The welcoming nature of the coaching fraternity in the D-League. 43:38: Enjoying being out of the spotlight as a coach in the D-League and the NBA. 46:51: Leaving the NBA to work with Ettore Messina in Russia. 49:25: Making sure he was fully prepared before taking a head-coaching job in the NBA. 52:22: The unique structure and stability in the Jazz franchise.

Sacramento Kings Executive VP of Basketball Operations Scott Perry joins The Vertical with Woj to discuss his bold new assignment in to help reshape the franchise's fledgling front office, educating Vivek Ranadive on how ownership should support basketball operations and lessons learned in Joe Dumars' front office with the Detroit Pistons' great teams of the 2000's. Perry discusses his season with the Seattle Sonics in Kevin Durant's rookie season, what he learned about Kobe Bryant recruiting him as a high school star and the memory of his late father, an all-time Big 10 football player who was a trailblazing NFL assistant coach. 1:50: Perry’s top priorities upon joining the Kings and what role he will have within the franchise. 5:48: His experience working with Pistons owner Bill Davidson and his early impressions of Kings owner Vivek Ranadive. 10:23: The importance of the upcoming draft for Sacramento’s rebuild. 13:00: The most shocking draft moment during Perry’s career. 15:00: Why veteran players sometimes get overlooked in the draft. 21:27: The chaotic scouting environment before the one-and-done rule. 25:35: The unique construction of the 2004 NBA champion Pistons that didn’t feature a traditional superstar. 28:36: Watching film of his father Lowell, who was a star athlete at the University of Michigan. 33:53: Perry’s father being the first African-American assistant coach in the modern NFL. 35:46: The Sonics' emotional final year in Seattle . 40:02: Memories of being around Kevin Durant during his rookie season. 41:17: The value of Perry’s experience as a college coach.

The iconic Ice Cube joins The Vertical Podcast with Woj to discuss his new basketball venture, the Big 3, Allen Iverson's part in the league, the Warriors-Cavs Finals, the Lakers, LaVar and Lonzo Ball, NWA, and much, much more. 1:29: What fans can expect from the inaugural season of the Big3 league. 2:55: The benefits of traveling to multiple cities during the summer. 4:58: The injury and conditioning concerns that come with older athletes. 7:25: Initial reactions from players about the league, including recruiting Allen Iverson. 12:39: How launching the league has impacted Ice Cube’s other ventures. 14:50: The NBA’s cooperation with the Big3. 19:00: Previewing the Finals rematch between the Cavs and Warriors. 21:46: The Lakers’ options with the No. 2 pick, including Lonzo Ball’s potential fit. 23:33: Ice Cube’s back-and-forth with Lavar Ball. 28:52: The courage it took for Ice Cube to leave NWA. 31:27: Learning at a young age the importance of knowing the business side of the music industry. 33:39: Realizing the Lakers and other athletes were listening to his music. 35:13: Athletes turned rappers, including Shaquille O’Neal and Allen Iverson.

Denver Nuggets guard Gary Harris joins The Vertical Podcast with Woj to discuss his appearance at the NBA Draft Lottery, his emergence as one of the top young two-way guards in the NBA, why people underestimate Nikola Jokic, high school basketball in Indiana, playing for Tom Izzo at Michigan State and much, much more. 3:44: The Nuggets’ young players finding their way together. 8:51: Nikola Jokic emerging as a franchise player for the Nuggets. 9:58: Jokic surprising opponents with his ability despite not being an elite athlete. 11:06: What Harris has learned from being around so many international players with the Nuggets. 14:00: Harris continuing to play football through his senior year of high school. 17:46: Tom Izzo joining Harris for lunch in the high school cafeteria while recruiting him. 20:08: The benefits of playing multiple sports growing up to avoid burnout. 22:23: The unique experience of playing high school basketball in Indiana. 23:50: Izzo encouraging his players to show emotion. 26:11: Harris’ advice to Miles Bridges, who decided to return for his sophomore season. 30:13: The family atmosphere at Michigan State that comes from Izzo’s longevity at the university. 33:53: Being eligible for a contract extension and his strong relationship with the Nuggets. 36:44: Similarities between Nuggets coach Mike Malone and Izzo.