Justin Verrier
The Ringer NBA editor and writer, Portland Trail Blazers fan
Justin Verrier (The Ringer NBA editor and writer, Portland Trail Blazers fan) has appeared as a guest on 1 episode in TMT. Topics they speak about most include Miami Heat, 2026 NBA draft, Portland Trail Blazers.
In their words
Positions and remarks grouped by topic, each with the exact quote and where it was said.
Miami Heat
Verrier said Miami must build depth around Giannis given his multi-year soft-tissue injury history.
“it really is incumbent upon the Heat to figure the rest of this out”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Giannis to Miami! An Urgent Gathering Pod With Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier (Jun 23, 2026) · Listen from 31:36
Verrier argued the NBA is better when Miami plays a villain role.
“I just think like the league is better when Miami is a villain in everything”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Giannis to Miami! An Urgent Gathering Pod With Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier (Jun 23, 2026) · Listen from 10:50
2026 NBA draft
- Came true
Verrier predicted Darryn Peterson would be taken second overall in the 2026 NBA draft.
“Yeah, Peterson's going to go two there. It's a little disappointing”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Giannis to Miami! An Urgent Gathering Pod With Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier (Jun 23, 2026) · Listen from 43:18
Portland Trail Blazers
Verrier criticized Tom Dundon as universally reviled and expected him to make a splashy offseason move.
“I would be surprised if they went through this entire offseason and didn't do something splashy because he just wants to get his name on it”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Giannis to Miami! An Urgent Gathering Pod With Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier (Jun 23, 2026) · Listen from 41:51
Jaylen Brown trade rumors
Verrier argued Brown would not get a team fully built around him elsewhere because the league is too talent-deep.
“the league is just too talent deep at this point where you don't just get your team like it was 10 to 15 years ago”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Giannis to Miami! An Urgent Gathering Pod With Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier (Jun 23, 2026) · Listen from 27:06
Julius Randle trade
Verrier defended the Bulls' acquisition of Nic Claxton as a fit for a young, running team.
“I don't hate the Nick Claxton move for the Bulls. I just think if you're just building a fun young team”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Giannis to Miami! An Urgent Gathering Pod With Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier (Jun 23, 2026) · Listen from 18:55
Boston Celtics
Verrier suggested Boston should trade Brown for young players and picks and bring Tatum back slowly.
“And just like bring Tatum back along slowly so you could be like really, really good in two years”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Giannis to Miami! An Urgent Gathering Pod With Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier (Jun 23, 2026) · Listen from 15:09
Milwaukee Bucks
Verrier said Milwaukee's fate was sealed by its failures the previous offseason, including the Damian Lillard waive-and-stretch.
“I just think the die was cast when they fucked this last offseason”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Giannis to Miami! An Urgent Gathering Pod With Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier (Jun 23, 2026) · Listen from 6:47
Giannis Antetokounmpo trade speculation
Verrier said he always thought Miami's package made more sense for Milwaukee than Boston's offer.
“I always thought Miami's package just made a little bit more sense than what the Celtics were offering”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Giannis to Miami! An Urgent Gathering Pod With Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier (Jun 23, 2026) · Listen from 2:05
Predictions
1 came true
- Came true
Verrier predicted Darryn Peterson would be taken second overall in the 2026 NBA draft.
“Yeah, Peterson's going to go two there. It's a little disappointing”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Giannis to Miami! An Urgent Gathering Pod With Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier (Jun 23, 2026) · Listen from 43:18 · 2026 NBA draft
On June 23, 2026, the Utah Jazz took Kansas guard Darryn Peterson with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft. That matches Verrier's prediction that Peterson would 'go two,' and it happened before the June 24 deadline.
Sources: Utah Jazz select Darryn Peterson in 2026 NBA draft · Darryn Peterson picked second overall in the 2026 NBA Draft
Checked Oct 6, 2026
Appearances
Giannis to Miami! An Urgent Gathering Pod With Chris Ryan and Justin VerrierThe Bill Simmons Podcast · Jun 23, 2026 · 52 min
Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan and Justin Verrier react to Giannis Antetokounmpo's trade to the Miami Heat and what it means for the Bucks, Celtics and Jaylen Brown.
Often appears with
- Bill Simmons · 1 shared episode
- Chris Ryan · 1 shared episode