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.
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.
All Hoops, All the Time
Never Miss a Moment of the Game
Follow your favorite teams and players with our powerful search and discovery tools. Get notified when new episodes drop and create playlists of your must-listen shows. With offline downloads, you can take the game with you wherever you go.
Deeper Analysis with AI Brain
Ever wanted to ask a question about a classic game or player? With AI Brain, you can. Search across eligible transcript-backed listening history to find specific moments, quotes, and insights. It's like having a basketball encyclopedia in your pocket.
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.
Listen free
#1The 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
#2The 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
#3The Ringer NBA Show
The Ringer
The Ringer's deep, daily NBA coverage across news, trades, and playoff storylines.
Visit website
#4Thinking Basketball
Thinking Basketball
Ben Taylor's analytical, history-aware breakdowns of how the game and its greats really work.
Visit website
#5No Dunks
iHeartPodcasts
The former Basketball Jones crew on the day's NBA news with chemistry and humor.
Visit website
#6The Athletic NBA Show
The Athletic
The Athletic's reporters and analysts on the league's biggest stories and matchups.
Listen on Apple
#7The Hoop Collective
ESPN, Omaha Productions, Brian Windhorst
Brian Windhorst and ESPN insiders dig into the NBA's news cycle and behind-the-scenes intrigue.
Visit website
#8Dunc'd On Basketball
Nate Duncan
Nate Duncan and Danny Leroux on the salary cap, rosters, and the strategy behind team-building.
Visit website
#9Gil'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).
Visit website
#10All 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).
Visit website
#11The 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).
Visit website
#127PM 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).
Visit website
Listen to all 12 in one place
Free core listening with no app-inserted ads, limited offline listening, and optional AI summaries from Podcast Brain — all in The Podcast App.
Sources and further reading
- The Zach Lowe Show — The RingerOfficial show page on The Ringer for Zach Lowe's NBA film-study and reporting podcast.
- The Old Man and the Three — ThreeFourTwo ProductionsOfficial show page from JJ Redick's ThreeFourTwo Productions (distributed by Wondery).
- The Ringer NBA Show — The RingerOfficial Ringer podcast-network page for its daily NBA show (Group Chat + Real Ones).
- Thinking Basketball — official YouTube channelBen Taylor's official channel/home for the analytical Thinking Basketball podcast.
- No Dunks — official SubstackOfficial hub of the No Dunks crew (Skeets, Tas, Trey, JD), the ex-Basketball Jones team.
- The Athletic NBA Daily — Apple Podcasts (canonical listing)The Athletic's (New York Times) daily NBA podcast; canonical listing — no standalone site page.
- Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective — ESPNESPN's official episode archive/hub for Windhorst's NBA insider podcast.
- Dunc'd On Basketball — Nate Duncan NBAOfficial home of Nate Duncan and Danny Leroux's salary-cap and team-building NBA podcast.
- Gil's Arena / The Arena — official YouTube channelGilbert Arenas's live daily NBA reaction show (Gil's Arena, now branded The Arena).
- All The Smoke — The Black Effect Podcast NetworkOfficial network show page for Matt Barnes & Stephen Jackson's interview podcast.
- The Draymond Green Show — Apple Podcasts (canonical listing)Active NBA champion Draymond Green's podcast (now Audacy); canonical listing.
- 7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony — official YouTube channelWave Sports + Entertainment's official channel for Carmelo Anthony's player-hosted show.
- Basketball — WikipediaReference overview of the sport at the center of this podcast genre.
- National Basketball Association — WikipediaReference overview of the NBA, the primary subject of these shows.
- NBA.com — official league siteOfficial NBA site — news, schedules, and stats that these podcasts cover.
- Basketball-ReferenceAuthoritative NBA statistics and history database valued by analytical basketball listeners.
- Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of FameThe sport's official hall of fame — institutional authority for basketball history.
- The Ambies — Awards for Excellence in AudioPodcast Academy awards, including Best Sports Podcast — genre credibility reference.
- The Podcast AcademyNonprofit body behind the Ambies; authority source on podcast excellence.
- Thinking Basketball — WikipediaEncyclopedia entry on Ben Taylor's analytical basketball book and podcast.
- Zach Lowe — WikipediaBiography of the veteran NBA analyst behind this page's top-ranked show.
- Edison ResearchLeading US audio/podcast audience research firm
- PodnewsDaily global podcast-industry news of record
- Apple PodcastsApple's official podcasts app/platform homepage
- SpotifySpotify homepage (podcasts + music listening)
Your Basketball Podcast Questions, Answered
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.
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.
Get the Best Basketball Podcasts in Your Pocket
Download The Podcast App today and unlock a world of basketball content. It's free core listening with no app-inserted ads, and available on both iOS and Android. Your perfect season of listening awaits.