NBA Draft Questions, Harper vs. Fox, and the USMNT’s World Cup Ceiling

Episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast · June 19, 2026 · 2 h 11 min

Bill Simmons previews the 2026 NBA draft and Finals fallout with Tim Legler, then discusses the USMNT's World Cup outlook with Anthony Dabbundo.

Summary

Bill Simmons was joined by ESPN analyst Tim Legler, who called the 2026 NBA Finals and was preparing to work ESPN's draft coverage. Legler voiced skepticism about draft player comparisons, which Simmons admitted he had popularized in 2013. Both favored AJ Dybantsa as the top pick for Washington, with Simmons predicting Cameron Boozer to Utah and Darryn Peterson possibly to Memphis. They debated Peterson's decline at Kansas, praised Caleb Wilson's athleticism, and discussed guards including Mikel Brown, Darius Acuff, Braylon Mullins (Wagler), Kingston Flemings and Burries, as well as center Aday Mara, whose limited minutes worried Simmons.

The conversation turned to the Spurs' backcourt after their Finals loss to the Knicks. Legler argued De'Aaron Fox, despite a poor series, remained valuable and would not be moved, while both saw Dylan Harper as the future; Simmons called Harper a potential top guard of the last 30 years. Legler called Jalen Brunson's 45-point Game 5 one of the greatest Finals performances ever and said Victor Wembanyama must learn to dominate from 15 to 20 feet. They also discussed Giannis Antetokounmpo trade destinations, Jaylen Brown's future in Boston, and whether the champion Knicks should be Eastern Conference favorites.

In the second half, Anthony Dabbundo recapped the USMNT's 4-1 win over Paraguay, which he attended, and discussed concerns about Christian Pulisic's health ahead of the Australia match in Seattle. They praised Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson and Folarin Balogun, reviewed Lionel Messi's hat trick, Cristiano Ronaldo's struggles, England's win under Thomas Tuchel, France's second-half turnaround, and the tension on Fox's studio show. Dabbundo predicted the U.S. would win its group, reach the quarterfinals and lose to Spain.

Chapters

  1. 0:06

    Intro and Tim Legler joins

    Simmons previews the episode and welcomes Legler, who is working ESPN's first-round draft coverage.

  2. 4:01

    The problem with player comps

    Legler criticizes draft player comparisons and Simmons admits he started the practice in 2013.

  3. 7:55

    Playoff-ready prospects and the top four

    Simmons outlines his draft buckets and both back AJ Dybantsa as the No. 1 pick.

  4. 15:45

    Boozer, Peterson and draft pressure

    They discuss Cameron Boozer's high floor, Darryn Peterson's puzzling college year, and cautionary tales like Markelle Fultz.

  5. 34:21

    Caleb Wilson and the guard class

    They praise Wilson's explosiveness and evaluate Mikel Brown, Acuff, Wagler, Flemings, Burries and Aday Mara.

  6. 1:01:52

    Harper vs. Fox and the Finals

    Legler assesses De'Aaron Fox's poor Finals, Dylan Harper's rise, Brunson's historic performance and Wembanyama's growth areas.

  7. 1:23:58

    Giannis, Jaylen Brown and the East

    They discuss Giannis landing spots, Jaylen Brown's future in Boston, and the Knicks as East favorites.

  8. 1:33:13

    USMNT beats Paraguay

    Dabbundo recaps the 4-1 win and discusses Pulisic's injury and the Australia matchup.

  9. 1:43:28

    World Cup stars and studio drama

    They discuss Messi's hat trick, Ronaldo's struggles, England, France and the Fox studio crew.

  10. 1:55:12

    Odds, bracket paths and predictions

    They review title odds, possible U.S. knockout paths, Serena Williams, the Knicks parade, and Dabbundo's prediction.

Key points

What was said, by whom, with the exact words. Timestamps jump to the moment.

  • Tim Legler

    Legler argues that draft player comparisons set analysts up to be embarrassed years later, either by overreaching or underselling a prospect.

    “And I feel like either way, five years from now, like you set yourself up to just get absolutely taken apart”

    Listen from 5:08 · 2026 NBA draft

  • Bill Simmons

    Simmons argues that 'playoff guys' such as switchable wings and rim-protecting bigs are consistently drafted a few picks too late behind guards.

    “These guys that we know are going to be playoff guys, and yet they always go three, four, five picks too late”

    Listen from 7:55 · 2026 NBA draft

  • Tim Legler

    Legler says AJ Dybantsa should be the first pick because of his combination of size, toughness, athleticism and skill.

    “I think for me, combination of size, the toughness, athleticism, with the skill set, I think this is the right pick”

    Listen from 11:54 · 2026 NBA draft

  • Bill SimmonsCame true

    Simmons predicts Washington will draft AJ Dybantsa first overall.

    “By the way, Washington's taking him. That's, that's how this is playing out. They're going to take him”

    Listen from 14:30 · 2026 NBA draft

  • Tim Legler

    Legler endorses the Kevin Love comparison for Cameron Boozer, citing his rebounding positioning and quick outlet passing.

    “With Boozer, it's Kevin Love. I thought that was a pretty good comp”

    Listen from 16:56 · 2026 NBA draft

  • Tim Legler

    Legler says he does not see Darryn Peterson as a true point guard but as a natural raw scorer.

    “I see a guy that wants to go score and get his bucket”

    Listen from 22:15 · 2026 NBA draft

  • Bill SimmonsDidn’t happen

    Simmons predicts Cameron Boozer will go to Utah and Darryn Peterson to Memphis, while acknowledging uncertainty.

    “I think Boozer is going to go to Utah and I think Peterson will go to Memphis, but who the hell knows?”

    Listen from 30:45 · 2026 NBA draft

  • Linked moment · 58:04Skip to 58:04 using a listen link in the info box.

    Bill Simmons

    Simmons says Aday Mara's limited college minutes make him too risky for a top-10 pick in such a deep draft.

    “I can't take a guy who played 23 minutes a game last year. I just can't”

    Listen from 58:04 · 2026 NBA draft

  • Tim Legler

    Legler argues the Spurs should not give up on De'Aaron Fox after his poor Finals and that Fox is unlikely to be traded given his contract.

    “I don't think Fox is going anywhere at that number coming off of that series. So you better kind of wrap your head around it as a Spurs fan”

    Listen from 1:02:50 · San Antonio Spurs

  • Bill Simmons

    Simmons believes Dylan Harper could become one of the best guards of the past three decades.

    “I think he has a chance to be one of the best guards of the last 30 years. Like, I really do”

    Listen from 1:09:19 · San Antonio Spurs

  • Tim Legler

    Legler calls Jalen Brunson's 45-point Game 5 against the Spurs' defense one of the greatest Finals performances ever.

    “it's one of the greatest finals performances of all time. And, and again, he did it very matter of factly and very routine”

    Listen from 1:12:31 · 2026 NBA Finals

  • Tim Legler

    Legler says Victor Wembanyama's biggest area of growth is learning to dominate from 15 to 20 feet.

    “You answer that by dominating from 15 to 20 feet”

    Listen from 1:17:32 · San Antonio Spurs

  • Bill Simmons

    Simmons says he would not want the Celtics to trade Jaylen Brown for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

    “I don't want the Celtics to trade Jalen Brown for Giannis, which I felt that way the whole month”

    Listen from 1:25:02 · Giannis Antetokounmpo trade speculation

  • Tim Legler

    Legler argues the champion Knicks should be ranked as the favorites in the Eastern Conference entering next season.

    “for me, the Knicks should be the team that's placed at the top of the pecking order in Eastern Conference going into the season”

    Listen from 1:30:55 · New York Knicks

  • Anthony Dabbundo

    Dabbundo says Christian Pulisic is one of the few U.S. players who cannot be replaced like for like.

    “there are only one or two players that the US can't truly replace. And he's one of them”

    Listen from 1:35:17 · United States men's national soccer team

  • Anthony Dabbundo

    Dabbundo argues U.S. soccer's progress depends on developing more solid everyday players like Chris Richards rather than superstars.

    “it's not about having all the superstars in Europe. It's about having more of Chris Richards”

    Listen from 1:40:54 · United States men's national soccer team

  • Anthony Dabbundo

    Dabbundo says England has entered the favorites conversation, with England, Spain and France a tier above the rest.

    “I think England has vaulted themselves into the favorites conversation if they weren't already there. And I think them, Spain, and France are still a tier above”

    Listen from 1:50:12 · 2026 FIFA World Cup

  • Anthony DabbundoDidn’t happen

    Dabbundo predicts the U.S. will win its group, reach the World Cup quarterfinals and lose to Spain.

    “US is going to make the quarterfinals and lose to Spain. That is my official prediction”

    Listen from 2:05:31 · United States men's national soccer team

People

In the conversation

  • Bill SimmonsSportswriter and founder of The Ringer, host of The Bill Simmons Podcast
  • Tim LeglerFormer NBA player and ESPN basketball analyst who calls games alongside Mike Breen
  • Anthony DabbundoRinger sports-betting and soccer analyst, co-host of The Ringer Gambling Show

Discussed

Topics

More from The Bill Simmons Podcast

From the publisher

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Tim Legler to preview the NBA draft. Then, Anthony Dabbundo joins the pod to recap the World Cup matches so far, including the USMNT’s impressive 4-1 win against Paraguay, and discuss many other topics related to the tournament. (0:00) Intro (2:27) NBA draft questions with Tim Legler (01:02:42) Harper vs. Fox (01: 23:57) Favorite Giannis landing spot (01:33:13) World Cup talk with Anthony Dabbundo Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Tim Legler and Anthony Dabbundo Producers: Chia Hao Tat and Eduardo Ocampo Brought to you by PayPal. Learn more at paypal.comThe Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Summary, chapters and key points were generated from the episode transcript on September 29, 2026. Quotes are checked word for word against the transcript.

Categories: Basketball·Soccer