Crazy Summer Preview: Bontemps, Worthy on Lakers, Wasch on Draft Future, KOC’s Latest Mock – Yahoo Sports

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Kevin O’Connor welcomes Tim Bontemps of ESPN, broadcasting live from NBA Podcast Row in San Antonio, Texas, for a thorough examination of franchises facing the most intriguing post-season periods. What developments lie ahead for clubs such as Atlanta, Detroit, and Denver now that their competitive years have concluded?

Then, NBA legend James Worthy makes an appearance on the program to discuss the Lakers. What is the actual distance between Los Angeles and a championship title, and what future steps await LeBron James?

Subsequently, Kevin hosts Evan Wasch, the NBA’s Executive Vice President of Basketball Strategy & Growth, to thoroughly analyze the league’s recently implemented 3-2-1 Draft Lottery framework. Which aspects of this revision are most beneficial, and what potential avenues could franchises utilize to their advantage?

Subsequently, KOC unveils his most current NBA hypothetical draft selections, with merely twenty-one days left until the 2026 NBA Draft event.

(1:07) Franchises experiencing noteworthy post-season periods featuring Tim Bontemps

(15:27) Insights from James Worthy regarding the Los Angeles Lakers

(29:31) Discussion of the 3-2-1 Draft lottery mechanism alongside Evan Wasch

(39:01) KOC’s most recent simulated draft predictions

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the second half of Game One of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs against the <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/houston/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Houston Rockets;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0" data-yga="{"yLinkElement":"context_link","yModuleName":"content-canvas","yLinkText":"Houston Rockets","ySubModuleName":"anchor_text","yHasCommerce":false}">Houston Rockets</a> at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the second half of Game One of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images))

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