Wemby Gets Revenge, Morey’s Out, and a Trade-Fueled Mega-Mailbag With Kirk Goldsberry and David Jacoby
Episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast · May 13, 2026 · 2 h 4 min
Bill Simmons and Kirk Goldsberry break down the Spurs' Game 5 win and Daryl Morey's firing, then join David Jacoby for an NBA mailbag and trade predictions.
Summary
Bill Simmons and Kirk Goldsberry opened by recapping the San Antonio Spurs' Game 5 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of the 2026 NBA playoffs. Both were struck by rookie-age guard Dylan Harper, whom Goldsberry compared to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Simmons projected as a future best-guard-in-the-league candidate. Goldsberry called Wembanyama, Castle and Harper the best young trio in the league, while Simmons argued Minnesota's window was closing and that a Spurs–Thunder series would be the most talented matchup since 2018. They also discussed the physical treatment of Victor Wembanyama and how referees whistle big men versus guards.
The pair then addressed the Philadelphia 76ers' dismissal of general manager Daryl Morey. Goldsberry blamed the max contracts for Joel Embiid and Paul George, while Simmons added that Morey should have traded Embiid at peak value and that the Jared McCain trade turned fans against him. They also speculated on why Knicks fans filled Philadelphia's arena, with Simmons pointing to the tanking-era Process.
In a pre-recorded mailbag with David Jacoby, the three proposed redesigning the NBA draft lottery telecast (casting superfans, requiring general managers to attend, slowing the reveals), debated the Pacers' Ivica Zubac trade, Jalen Duren's restricted free agency, the Warriors' 2020–21 drafts, a baby seated courtside, whether MVPs belong in the Hall of Fame, Embiid trade options, the Wizards' No. 1 pick, Kevin Durant's legacy, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's fan appeal. They closed by offering hypothetical trades ranging from logical to shocking, including Jacoby's Cooper Flagg scenario, Goldsberry's De'Aaron Fox trade, and Simmons' Anthony Edwards-to-Atlanta idea.
Chapters
- 0:06
Intro and show preview
Simmons previews the Spurs recap, Morey news and the mailbag, and plugs The Rewatchables.
- 1:32
Spurs win Game 5 behind Harper and Wembanyama
Simmons and Goldsberry praise Dylan Harper's precocious play and the Spurs' young core.
- 15:03
Minnesota's closing window
The hosts debate the Timberwolves' future under the CBA and the looming Spurs–Thunder rivalry.
- 24:17
Wembanyama and physical defense
They discuss how Minnesota roughed up Wembanyama and differences in officiating bigs versus guards.
- 28:25
Daryl Morey out in Philadelphia
The hosts assess Morey's tenure, the Embiid and George contracts, the McCain trade and Knicks fans in Philly.
- 41:55
Mailbag: Spurs revival and the lottery telecast
With Jacoby, they propose superfans and GMs as lottery representatives and a slower reveal format.
- 51:35
Pacers' Zubac trade and Jalen Duren
The panel debates Indiana's lost pick and whether Detroit should max Duren.
- 1:04:11
Warriors draft what-ifs and courtside babies
They revisit Golden State's 2020–21 picks and criticize parents bringing infants courtside.
Linked moment · 1:13:32Skip to 1:13:32 using a listen link in the info box.
1:13:32Embiid, Rose and Hall of Fame questions
The group debates whether MVPs belong in the Hall of Fame, Knicks adjustments and Embiid trade destinations.
- 1:26:18
Brain farts, Wizards pick and famous fans
Simmons addresses an on-air error and the panel weighs the Wizards' No. 1 pick and famous Wizards fans.
- 1:34:47
Durant's legacy and SGA's appeal
They argue Durant's late career clouds his peak and discuss SGA's lack of national fandom.
- 1:44:15
Trade predictions
Each panelist offers logical, conventional and shocking hypothetical trades, from Anthony Davis to Anthony Edwards.
Key points
What was said, by whom, with the exact words. Timestamps jump to the moment.
- Kirk Goldsberry
Goldsberry argues the Spurs have the league's best young trio in Wembanyama, Castle and Harper.
“I think the San Antonio Spurs now have the best young trio in the league by far with Wemby, Castle, and Harper”
- Bill Simmons
Simmons predicts Dylan Harper will eventually be considered the best guard in the league barring injury.
“But I think Harper, at some point in his life, will wear that crown unless he gets hurt”
- Bill Simmons
Simmons argues a Thunder–Spurs series would be the most talented playoff series in eight years.
“If we do get OKC San Antonio next round, I think this is the best series in eight years”
- Kirk Goldsberry
Goldsberry considers Wembanyama and Gilgeous-Alexander the two best players in the world.
“Wemby and Shea, to me, they're the two best players in the world right now”
- Kirk Goldsberry
Goldsberry contends officials allow far more contact on interior players like Wembanyama than on attacking guards.
“Like, you cannot lay a finger on an attacking guard in this league”
- Kirk Goldsberry
Goldsberry blames Morey's firing primarily on the Paul George and Joel Embiid contracts.
“if I had to hang it on something bill i would say those two contracts the paul george and joelle mb that's what got it done”
- Bill Simmons
Simmons argues Morey should have traded Embiid to the Knicks at peak value before they acquired Towns.
“The move was to trade Embiid when before the Knicks got Towns”
- Kirk Goldsberry
Goldsberry credits Morey and Mike D'Antoni's Houston teams with changing the league through the three-point shot.
“it was Mike and Daryl building that whole team around the three-point shot that changed this league forever”
- David Jacoby
Jacoby suggests casting lottery representatives like a reality TV show, choosing the most boisterous fans.
“You treat it like a reality television show. So you cast the people that are best for television”
- Bill Simmons
Simmons proposes requiring general managers to serve as lottery representatives.
“I think the GM should have to be there as the reps. I think this should be part of the job”
- Kirk Goldsberry
Goldsberry, drawing on small-market experience, says he would not have made the Pacers' Zubac trade risking a lottery pick.
“Don't give up a lottery pick if you're the Indiana Pacers”
- Bill SimmonsPrediction · due Dec 2026
Simmons predicts Jalen Duren will receive an offer sheet of at least $40 million a year despite his poor playoffs.
“somebody is going to offer him at least 40 plus a year, regardless of how he looked in the playoffs”
- David Jacoby
Jacoby expresses hesitation about giving Jalen Duren a max contract after his playoff struggles.
“I don't know if I'm ready to just sign Jalen Dern to the max”
- David Jacoby
Jacoby criticizes parents who brought an infant courtside at a Lakers game as using the baby as an accessory.
“That baby was essentially an expensive handbag for that family. It's an accessory”
- Bill Simmons
Simmons argues that winning an MVP award should be enough for Hall of Fame induction.
“I think MVP's are in. You're the best player in the best league for one year”
Listen from 1:17:04 · Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
- Kirk Goldsberry
Goldsberry says no GM should trade for Embiid given his age and contract, setting his games-played line for next season at 43.5.
“no GM should be trading for Joel Embiid at this phase of his career with the amount of money that is owed”
- David Jacoby
Jacoby argues that with four equally strong top prospects, the only mistake a GM could make is trading up.
“I think you can only make the wrong move by trading up in this draft”
- Bill Simmons
Simmons argues Durant's last decade has overshadowed his dominant Oklahoma City years.
“I think KD the last 10 years really overshadowed how good those last seven OKC years were”
- Kirk Goldsberry
Goldsberry calls Durant the best scorer the NBA has seen since Michael Jordan.
“he's the best scorer, in my opinion, the NBA has seen since Michael Jordan”
- Kirk Goldsberry
Goldsberry observes Gilgeous-Alexander's popularity outside Oklahoma City is unusually low for so dominant a player.
“his approval rating outside of his home market seems to be the lowest we've seen for a player who is that dominant”
- Kirk Goldsberry
Goldsberry predicts the Spurs will trade De'Aaron Fox for a younger, stronger wing.
“the Spurs are going to trade De'Aaron Fox. And I think they are going to get another younger wing strong player”
- Bill Simmons
Simmons names Anthony Edwards and Jayson Tatum as the only truly shocking potential trade candidates.
“I think Ant and Jason Tatum in that order are the two holy shit guys. Everybody else you could believe”
People
In the conversation
- Bill SimmonsSportswriter and founder of The Ringer, host of The Bill Simmons Podcast
- Kirk GoldsberryBasketball analytics writer and visual analyst, contributor to The Ringer
- David JacobyThe Ringer podcast host and TV producer, co-host of The Mismatch
Discussed
- Victor WembanyamaSan Antonio Spurs center and MVP candidate
- Dylan HarperSan Antonio Spurs rookie guard
- Stephon CastleSan Antonio Spurs guard
- Daryl MoreyFormer Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations
- Joel EmbiidPhiladelphia 76ers center and former NBA MVP
- Paul GeorgePhiladelphia 76ers forward returning from injury
- Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderOklahoma City Thunder guard and reigning MVP
- Anthony EdwardsMinnesota Timberwolves guard
- Jalen DurenDetroit Pistons center praised for consistency
- Kevin DurantHouston Rockets forward cited as both a scorer and an aging outlier
- Derrick RoseFormer NBA MVP guard
- Tyrese HaliburtonIndiana Pacers point guard
- Ivica ZubacCenter traded to the Pacers
- Kevin PritchardIndiana Pacers president of basketball operations
- Jared McCainThunder guard traded by the 76ers
- Sam PrestiOklahoma City Thunder general manager
- Tim DuncanSpurs legend who nearly signed with Orlando
- Joe HouseRinger podcaster and longtime friend of Bill Simmons, known for sports betting talk
- Cooper FlaggNBA rookie and former Duke player
- De'Aaron FoxSan Antonio Spurs guard
- Karl-Anthony TownsNew York Knicks big man
Topics
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From the publisher
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Kirk Goldsberry to discuss the Spurs taking a 3-2 lead against the Timberwolves and the 76ers moving on from Daryl Morey (2:27). Then, David Jacoby joins to answer some mailbag questions with Bill and Kirk (41:49). Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Kirk Goldsberry and David Jacoby Producers: Chia Hao Tat and Eduardo Ocampo Uber Eats makes last-minute gifting easy. https://www.ubereats.com/ The 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 28, 2026. Quotes are checked word for word against the transcript.