The Seattle SuperSonics conversation just shifted with the announcement from the commissioned before the NBA Cup Finals. Danny Ball, Tim Booth and Christ Daniels break down why this time feels different.

On this episode of Iconic Sonics, we're joined by Tim Booth (The Seattle Times) and Chris Daniels (KOMO News) to unpack Adam Silver's latest comments on NBA expansion, what's changed since Las Vegas Summer League, and why 2026 has suddenly become a real inflection point for Seattle.

We dive into:

Adam Silver's evolving language around expansion

Why Seattle and Vegas are now clearly the front-runners

What NBA owners actually care about behind closed doors

Media rights, arena politics, and ownership questions

Realistic timelines for when the Sonics could return

Is this real momentum or another false start? Chris and Tim bring reporting, context, and perspective you won't get anywhere else.

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Huge thanks to Tim Booth (The Seattle Times) and Chris Daniels (KOMO News) for joining the show.

Shoutout to our partners:
The Hall Group
Simply Seattle
Epic Seats
Swinomish Casino & Lodge

Host: Danny Ball
Executive Producer: Brett Goldberg

Jason Quick discusses the legacy of Spencer Heywood, his impact on the NBA, and his relationship with the late Lenny Wilkens. Danny Ball also asks him about the ongoing developments in the current NBA season, including the Portland Trail Blazers' performance and the gambling scandal surrounding Chauncey Billups.

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You can read Jason's article about Spencer Haywood HERE.

Host: Danny Ball

Guest: Jason Quick

Executive Producer: Brett Goldberg

Coby Karl shares his unique experiences growing up in the basketball world as the son of George Karl, former Sonics coach. He reflects on his time in Seattle, the relationships he built with players and coaches, and the lessons he learned that shaped his own coaching philosophy. Coby discusses the evolution of basketball, particularly the WNBA, and emphasizes the importance of creating environments where players can thrive. He also shares his thoughts on the legacy of the Sonics and the potential for their return to Seattle.

Danny Ball interviews the father-son duo Will Conroy Sr. and Will Conroy Jr., exploring their deep connections to basketball, particularly within Seattle. They discuss the cultural impact of the Sonics, their personal basketball journeys, and the evolving landscape of youth basketball, including the influence of NIL and AAU. The conversation also touches on the importance of community in Seattle basketball, memorable experiences at the Crawsover, and reflections on family dynamics in sports, particularly in light of LeBron and Bronny James. The episode concludes with insights into their future aspirations in basketball and hope for the SuperSonics return.

Danny Ball speaks with Alex and Ashtyn from Flagrant Mag about the origins of their magazine, their upcoming issue, and the cultural commentary surrounding women's basketball. They discuss the importance of covering both men's and women's basketball, the naming conventions of their brand, and the dynamics of player relationships in the WNBA. They also talk about the concept of 'Girl Shams' for breaking news in The W. They delve into their PNW connections as Oregon State alumni and express excitement for the return of the Portland Fire WNBA team. The discussion shifts to the future of the WNBA, coaching aspirations, and the potential for NBA expansion and relocation. They also share their thoughts on viewing experiences for WNBA games and promote upcoming projects from Flagrant Magazine.

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Support Flagrant here: https://www.flagrantmag.com/

Danny Ball is joined by Kevin Calabro, the iconic voice of the Seattle Sonics and current play-by-play announcer for the Portland Trail Blazers, shares his journey through the world of sports broadcasting. He reflects on his influences, memorable calls, and the evolution of basketball, particularly the rise of the three-point shot. Calabro discusses the future of the Trail Blazers under new ownership, the legacy of the Sonics, and the potential for NBA basketball to return to Seattle. He also addresses the changing landscape of NBA media and expresses hope for the future of basketball in the region.

This episode is presented by Warrior Injury Law and Epic Seats.

First, Danny quickly covers the sale of the Trail Blazers as well as recaps an already super busy Seattle Summer full of hoops. Then he's joined by Jason Quick, a senior writer at The Athletic, who shares his extensive experience covering the NBA, particularly in Portland. He reflects on his journey from covering the Blazers for over 25 years to focusing on human interest stories in sports. The discussion delves into the historical rivalry between the Blazers and the Seattle Sonics, the impact of the Sonics' departure from Seattle, and concerns about team relocation in the NBA. Quick also shares insights on the current state and future of the Blazers, including their recent offseason moves and the excitement surrounding the return of Damian Lillard. Additionally, he discusses upcoming human interest stories he is working on and shares nostalgic anecdotes from the Sonics era.

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Danny starts with his notes from Vegas and his takeaways from Adam Silver's annoucnemet that the NBA is exploring expansion. Who he talked to, what he heard and what to expect. Next, he interviews Nick Lagios shares his journey in international basketball, focusing on his experiences in Mexico City as a general manager and his insights into the growth of basketball in the region. He discusses the challenges and opportunities of introducing basketball to a market dominated by soccer and baseball, the differences in coaching styles between the NBA and international leagues, and the potential for NBA expansion into Mexico. Lagios emphasizes the importance of cultural perspectives in sports and the rising interest in basketball in Mexico, highlighting the passion of fans and the talent present in local leagues.

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