PTI: NFL Free Agency Frenzy, Wemby vs Celtics, and WBC Fireworks

Hosts: Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon
Date: March 10, 2026
Notable Guest: Kendrick Perkins

Episode Overview

This episode dives into a busy period across sports: the NFL Free Agency marketplace, a marquee Spurs vs. Celtics NBA matchup focused on Victor Wembanyama, and USA's big win over Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. The hosts bring their trademark banter—Wilbon playing “hurt,” Tony battling a cold—and are joined by ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins for deep NBA insights.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL Free Agency Frenzy

[00:45-03:38]

• Biggest Moves:
  • Jets reacquire Geno Smith from the Raiders for a late-round pick swap.
  • Patriots sign Romeo Dobbs to replace the departed Stefon Diggs.
  • Lions bring in Isaiah Pacheco from the Chiefs to pair with Jameer Gibbs.
  • Bills retain Dawson Knox at tight end.
• Wilbon: The Patriots' addition of Dobbs is the standout move. He highlights Dobbs’ age (25) versus Diggs (32) and sees Dobbs as an “adult,” a near-perfect fit for New England, filling almost their only offensive weakness.
  • "I'm not going to try to turn this into Randy Moss in 2007...but come on now...that receiver spot...I'd say it's a perfect fit." ([01:59] Wilbon)
• Kornheiser: Focuses on Pacheco to Detroit, the closed running back circle, and muses on Geno Smith's checkered past—and the Jets’ self-destructive QB history.
  • Shares a stinging stat: "28 touchdown passes, 36 interceptions. That's too many interceptions," yet those 12 wins rank second among Jets QBs since 2013.
  • Wonders aloud: "I am still waiting though, Mike...I want to see Kyler Murray—where does he go? Where does Kirk Cousins go?" ([03:36] Tony)

2. NBA Showdown: Celtics at Spurs—Wembanyama’s Big Stage

[03:38-06:23]

• High Stakes Matchup:
  • Celtics (2nd, East: 43-21) vs Spurs (2nd, West: 47-17)—both are among the NBA’s hottest teams since Feb 1.
  • Both hosts are eager to see the tactical battle: how San Antonio will defend Jayson Tatum (just back from injury), and how Boston will handle Victor Wembanyama.
  • Wilbon: “I want to see how San Antonio defends Jayson Tatum, if they attack him...what are the Celtics going to do defensively against you know who—Wemby? ...he seems to add something every night.” ([04:12-05:28])
  • Kornheiser: Backs Wilbon and adds statistical context:
    • Spurs: best record since Feb 1; Celtics: best defense; both top in net rating.
    • Predicts: “I believe San Antonio will win this game...But if Boston were to win, it would be enormously impressive—even for a regular season game.” ([06:21] Tony)

3. World Baseball Classic: USA Over Mexico

[06:23-09:14]

• Team USA wins 5-3 behind Paul Skenes’ dominant mound work (4 innings, 7 Ks, 1 hit), Aaron Judge’s defensive play (threw out a runner at third), and home runs from Judge and Roman Anthony.
• Tony: Pinpoints Skenes’ performance as the key highlight and criticizes Mexico’s manager Benji Gil for not pulling a clearly hurt pitcher, which led directly to the US scoring spree:
  • “Judge, home run. Kyle Schwarber single...Roman Anthony, 417 ft. I don't think they should have left him in. That's my position.” ([07:59] Tony)
• Wilbon: Agrees and sees the moment Judge staked Team USA to a lead as a turning point:
  • “When Judge is going and he...hits it out like that and gives you...a 2-0 lead. Who's better than him? Yeah, except maybe Shohei...” ([09:04] Wilbon)

4. NBA Deep Dive with Kendrick Perkins

[11:15-17:03]

Victor Wembanyama’s Rapid Ascension

• Perkins’ bold valuation: “Spurs are going to have to pay him five year, $1 billion. That's how much he's worth...He’s improving every night...He has an old soul. He is ready to lead this...team and he's trying to go win a championship this year.” ([11:23] Perkins)
• Wilbon: “Every night seems to add something.”
• Perkins: Points to Wemby’s emotional drive and rare skills—pin downs, lob finishes, embracing physicality.

Are Regular Season Games Matter Now?

• Perkins: “The playoffs have started...” for both teams: Spurs want the #1 seed; Celtics must keep up with Jaylen Brown’s MVP push, particularly with SGA's MVP moment the night before.
• Hones in on individual duels, particularly Jaylen Brown vs. Spurs’ defensive ace Stephon Castle.

SGA’s Record-Tying Streak

• Wilbon: SGA ties Wilt with 126 consecutive 20+ point games.
• Perkins: “Anytime you break Wilt Chamberlain...that's enough said...What we’re witnessing from SGA is growth. When you go get your 30 and make guys around you better, that's what we're seeing.” ([14:40] Perkins)

Lou Dort’s Flagrant Foul on Jokic

• Perkins: Sees the budding Denver-OKC rivalry, notes that Dort’s toughness is an asset but warns: “You can't be available by doing dumb stuff...all it could take is one game...for you to be suspended...and you cost your team an entire series.” ([15:56-17:03] Perkins)

5. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Wilbon, on the Jets: “That's the team of your youth. They just embarrass themselves every time they do anything. So I'm skipping right over that.” ([01:20])
• Perkins, on Wemby: “I'm watching this young man cry after a regular season win because that’s how bad he wants it. That is scary.” ([11:23])
• Tony, on the 1969 Jets: “We kid the Jets. All the Jets have one highlight. This is the highlight. Namath doing this as he walks off the field. That's their only highlight. That was indeed the team of my youth.” ([22:31])

6. Other Sports Updates

• College Basketball:

  • Duke suffers key injuries to Caleb Foster & Patrick Goongba II, which could impact their championship run. ([21:42])
  • Wilbon: “It may not be a big deal for the ACC tournament or the first weekend of March Madness, but...you don’t want to have to miss those guys.” ([21:42])

• Happy/Not-So-Happy Trails:

  • Rob Woodson 61st birthday ([19:02])
  • Rudy Gobert COVID anniversary ([20:04])
  • Jets RB Matt Snell passes away; Tony remembers SB III fondly ([21:59])

7. Timestamps for Key Segments

• NFL Free Agency: [00:45-03:38]
• NBA: Celtics vs Spurs Preview: [03:38-06:23]
• WBC: USA Beats Mexico: [06:23-09:14]
• Kendrick Perkins Interview: [11:15-17:03]
• College Basketball Injuries: [21:42]
• Jets and NFL history banter: [22:19-22:31]

Conclusion

This episode is a full-court press on the biggest stories in sports—mixing the hosts’ familiar ribbing with sharp analysis and the guest boost from Kendrick Perkins, who says Wemby’s price tag is “a billion dollars” and that he’s “ready to win now.” NFL free agency sparks both skepticism and intrigue, and the WBC’s fireworks get their due props. In PTI style, stats, laughs, and storytelling keep even non-fans up to speed and engaged.

Memorable Sign-Off

• Wilbon: “As Kendrick Perkins would say, keep a cool booty. That’s what Lou Dort better do now.” ([17:16])
• Tony: “Try to do better the next time.” ([24:12])