For the Love of the Game

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Basketball Podcasts

Last updated: March 2026

Looking for your next basketball fix? Dive into the world of hoops with the best basketball podcasts, covering everything from the latest NBA action to deep dives into basketball history.

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Top Picks

The Best Basketball Podcasts in 2026

Film breakdowns, hot takes, and trade-deadline chaos for NBA diehards. Listen free in The Podcast App.

Listen to all 12 of these free in The Podcast App — with limited offline listening, no app-inserted ads, and optional AI summaries.

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  1. The Zach Lowe Show cover art
    #1

    The Zach Lowe Show

    The Ringer

    Zach Lowe's sharp film-study and reporting on the NBA — trades, playoff schemes, and the league's storylines — now at The Ringer.

    Visit website
  2. The Old Man and the Three cover art
    #2

    The Old Man and the Three

    ThreeFourTwo Productions | Wondery

    Candid, player's-eye conversations with NBA stars and coaches — a long-running Wondery basketball staple.

    Visit website
  3. The Ringer NBA Show cover art
    #3

    The Ringer NBA Show

    The Ringer

    The Ringer's deep, daily NBA coverage across news, trades, and playoff storylines.

    Visit website
  4. Thinking Basketball cover art
    #4

    Thinking Basketball

    Thinking Basketball

    Ben Taylor's analytical, history-aware breakdowns of how the game and its greats really work.

    Visit website
  5. No Dunks cover art
    #5

    No Dunks

    iHeartPodcasts

    The former Basketball Jones crew on the day's NBA news with chemistry and humor.

    Visit website
  6. The Athletic NBA Show cover art
    #6

    The Athletic NBA Show

    The Athletic

    The Athletic's reporters and analysts on the league's biggest stories and matchups.

    Listen on Apple
  7. The Hoop Collective cover art
    #7

    The Hoop Collective

    ESPN, Omaha Productions, Brian Windhorst

    Brian Windhorst and ESPN insiders dig into the NBA's news cycle and behind-the-scenes intrigue.

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  8. Dunc'd On Basketball cover art
    #8

    Dunc'd On Basketball

    Nate Duncan

    Nate Duncan and Danny Leroux on the salary cap, rosters, and the strategy behind team-building.

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  9. Gil's Arena cover art
    #9

    Gil's Arena

    Underdog Fantasy

    Gilbert Arenas and a rotating panel of ex-players deliver loud, unfiltered daily debate; it became the breakout NBA reaction show, posting instant takes on every trade and headline. Start with 'Gil's Arena Reacts To Giannis Traded To Miami' (June 2026).

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  10. All The Smoke cover art
    #10

    All The Smoke

    The Black Effect Podcast Network and iHeartPodcasts

    Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson host long, candid interviews with stars, retired players, and culture figures; the guest list has run from active NBA players to President Obama. Start with 'President Barack Obama Full Interview' (June 2026).

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  11. The Draymond Green Show cover art
    #11

    The Draymond Green Show

    Audacy | The New Media

    An active NBA champion breaks down the league from inside the locker room; Draymond Green reacts to trades and games with a player's candor few analysts can match. Start with 'Draymond's Free Agent Pitch To LeBron, Bam/Tyler Herro Fight' (July 2026).

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  12. 7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony cover art
    #12

    7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony

    Wave

    Carmelo Anthony and co-host The Kid Mero mix personal NBA storytelling with current-events talk and big-name guests, a fast-rising player-hosted show from Wave Sports. Start with 'Jeremy Lin & Melo Finally Break Silence on Linsanity, the Knicks Exit & What Really Happened' (June 2026).

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Further reading

Sources and further reading

FAQ

Your Basketball Podcast Questions, Answered

For those new to the sport, we recommend "The Zach Lowe Show" for its accessible analysis and "The Bill Simmons Podcast" for its entertaining and wide-ranging discussions. Both are available for free on The Podcast App.

Absolutely! The Podcast App is a free for core listening podcast player with no app-inserted ads. You can listen to all your favorite basketball podcasts without any interruptions or subscription fees.

Yes! Many basketball podcasts now offer video versions of their shows. The Podcast App supports video podcasts, so you can watch the action unfold on your phone or tablet.

For analysis, The Ringer NBA Show, Thinking Basketball, Dunc'd On Basketball, and No Dunks lead on film, roster math, and daily news. For insider reporting, try The Hoop Collective and The Athletic NBA Show. For player perspective, All The Smoke, Gil's Arena, The Draymond Green Show, and 7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony. All offer free core listening with no app-inserted ads in The Podcast App.

All The Smoke with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson is the runaway leader, with guests from stars to President Obama. Gilbert Arenas's Gil's Arena posts daily debate-style reactions, The Draymond Green Show delivers in-the-locker-room takes during the season, and 7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony mixes storytelling with current NBA talk. All feature retired and active players.

Thinking Basketball with Ben Taylor is the most analytical, breaking down history and how great players actually help teams win. Dunc'd On Basketball goes deep on the salary cap and roster building, and The Ringer NBA Show covers strategy and playoff storylines daily. The Lowe Post pioneered film-driven talk, though host Zach Lowe now records The Zach Lowe Show at The Ringer.

For breaking news and rumors, The Hoop Collective with Brian Windhorst and The Athletic NBA Show have the best-sourced reporting. No Dunks reacts fast to every deal, and Gil's Arena delivers instant, opinionated takes on trades like Giannis-to-Miami. During free agency, The Draymond Green Show and 7PM in Brooklyn add player-side perspective on where stars might land.

Complete Guide

Elevate Your Game: Discovering the Best Basketball Podcasts

Basketball podcasts have become an essential part of the fan experience, offering everything from in-depth game analysis and player interviews to hilarious commentary and historical retrospectives. Whether you are a casual observer or a dedicated follower of the NBA, college basketball, or international leagues, there is a podcast tailored to your interests. These audio companions provide unique perspectives, breaking down complex strategies, celebrating iconic moments, and keeping you updated on all the latest news and rumors. They transform passive listening into an active engagement with the sport, allowing you to deepen your understanding and appreciation for the game. With The Podcast App, you can dive into this rich world of content, ensuring you never miss a beat from your favorite teams and personalities.

Choosing the right basketball podcast can significantly enhance your enjoyment of the sport. Look for shows that feature knowledgeable hosts who can articulate complex ideas clearly, offer diverse viewpoints, and maintain an engaging dynamic. Some podcasts excel in tactical breakdowns, while others focus on the human interest stories behind the athletes, or provide lighthearted takes on the week's events. The Podcast App makes it easy to explore these varied offerings. With features like variable speed playback, you can adjust the pace to absorb every detail of a deep analytical discussion or speed through recaps. Plus, the listening experience without app-inserted ads ensures that your immersion in basketball talk remains uninterrupted, allowing you to focus purely on the content that matters most to you.

To truly master your basketball podcast listening, consider how The Podcast App's innovative features can serve your needs. Our Brain AI feature is a game-changer for any fan. Imagine being able to ask specific questions across eligible transcript-backed listening history about a particular player's performance, a team's trade history, or a controversial referee call. Brain AI provides instant, relevant answers, transforming your listening experience into an interactive learning session and significantly boosting your retention of key information. Furthermore, for those times when you are on the go or have limited internet access, the ability to download episodes for offline listening ensures that your favorite basketball insights are always available, whether you are commuting, traveling, or simply away from Wi-Fi.

The Podcast App is designed to integrate seamlessly into your daily life, making it effortless to stay connected to the basketball world. With support for CarPlay, you can enjoy your favorite podcasts safely and conveniently while driving, turning your commute into an opportunity to catch up on the latest scores and analyses. Our commitment to providing a platform without app-inserted ads means you get pure, unadulterated basketball content without commercial interruptions. This comprehensive approach ensures that whether you are seeking expert commentary, entertaining debates, or historical deep dives, The Podcast App offers a superior listening experience, available at no cost, making it the ultimate companion for every basketball enthusiast.

New in 2026

The NBA podcast map shifted in 2026. Zach Lowe, laid off by ESPN in September 2024, relaunched at The Ringer as The Zach Lowe Show, so his old The Lowe Post feed went dormant. JJ Redick left podcasting to coach the Lakers, and The Old Man and the Three continued as The Young Man and the Three under host Tommy Alter. Filling the gap, player-driven shows surged: All The Smoke, Gil's Arena with Gilbert Arenas, The Draymond Green Show, and 7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony now post multiple episodes a week with active and retired stars. Analyst staples, including The Ringer NBA Show, No Dunks, Thinking Basketball, and Dunc'd On, stayed central for film and roster breakdowns.

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