NBA Podcast: Lingering post-deadline thoughts, 2nd-half storylines

Welcome to the latest edition of "Pound the Rock," an NBA podcast hosted by Joseph Casciaro and Joe Wolfond.

Find the show on iTunes, Soundcloud, and Spotify.

Topics for this week's episode include:

• Lingering thoughts on the trade deadline and early moves on the buyout market
• What Buddy Hield and Kyle Lowry bring to a healthy Sixers team
• How much noise can the Lakers make in the second half now that they've found a starting lineup that works and added Spencer Dinwiddie?
• How Royce O'Neale fits the Suns, and what Thad Young can bring
• Why did Kyle Kuzma kibosh a trade to Dallas?
• Why did the Jazz once again opt to take a step back at the deadline, and how bright is their future?
• The alluring possibility of a Trae Young-Victor Wembanyama partnership
• Second-half storylines to watch
• The race for the No. 2 and 3 seeds in the East
• Do the Cavs have the inside track? Will the Knicks and Sixers get healthy in time?
• Who will claim the 1-seed in the West?
• Are the Nuggets being too cavalier about the regular season?
• The Western Conference playoffs are going to be a bloodbath
• What's going on with the Warriors and Heat, and are either of them still major postseason threats?
• Will the Raptors be able to keep their top-six protected pick? Should they even want to?
• SGA, Jokic, Giannis, or Luka for MVP?