Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: THE HERD - Hour 3 - NBA MVP Debate Rages On
Date: March 24, 2026
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guests: Rachel Nichols (Fox Sports NBA Analyst), Jason McIntyre

Episode Overview

This episode of The Herd centers on a fiery discussion around the current NBA MVP race, the looming NBA expansion, and hot takes on the upcoming NBA Draft class. Rachel Nichols joins Colin Cowherd and Jason McIntyre for a deep dive into league rumors, player legacies, and the questions surrounding this year’s top NBA prospects. The tone is analytical, energetic, and spiced with strong, sometimes skeptical opinions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NBA Expansion & Relocation (03:55–05:48)

• Colin Cowherd opens by questioning the wisdom of NBA expansion, noting the already bloated regular season and the issue with teams tanking and load management.
• Rachel Nichols:
  • Believes relocation, not expansion, is the right move: "This is a money grab. Each current owner is going to get half a billion dollars in their pocket that they don't have to share with the players." (04:37)
  • Points to Memphis and New Orleans as weak markets with poor attendance, old arenas, and insufficient fan bases.
  • Sees Vegas and Seattle as viable markets, but cautions the quality of play on expansion teams is historically poor: "Only three times in 20 years. And they've never won a playoff series." (05:16)
• Both think the league should be wary of further diluting talent.

2. LeBron James’ Future with the Lakers (05:48–07:50)

• Cowherd notes rumors about LeBron’s potential departure.
• Rachel Nichols describes the situation:
  • Depends on negotiations, especially around a significant pay cut: “If he's not willing to take a significant pay cut, the discussion's over.” (06:44)
  • Also dependent on LeBron’s willingness to accept a reduced role: “It's another thing to sign on for that for what could be your last entire season.” (07:13)
  • Family and love for LA factor in, but uncertainty prevails.

3. Boston Celtics & Jayson Tatum’s Toughness (07:50–09:29)

• Cowherd queries the Celtics’ status post-Tatum’s return.
• Rachel Nichols is bullish: “I am all in. I am picking [the Celtics] to get to the Finals.” (08:20)
  • Praises their performance without Tatum and his impact as both a threat and a decoy.
  • Highlights his mental resilience and emergence as one of the league’s toughest players.

4. NBA Draft: Red Flags & Risk Analysis (09:29–14:38; 24:09–28:49)

• Cowherd compares risky top picks in both NFL and NBA history.
• Focus shifts to Darren Peterson, a prospective #1 pick:
  • Cowherd: “Missed 11 games. ...little bit of a loner. Kawhi's got a little bit of this, too... kind of plays by himself.” (10:37)
  • Nichols: "I think there are huge question marks around him. ...He'd have to wow me in the interview for me to take that risk." (10:54)
• Force multipliers are discussed as a key criterion (“players who make others better” per Eric Mangino, 12:08); comparison to Kawhi Leonard and Steph Curry.
• Darius Acuff is called a sensational offensive talent but flagged for defensive weaknesses. (13:00, 13:04)
• Nichols and Cowherd both lean toward drafting the safer pick given the risks and the strength of the draft class.

5. The Victor Wembanyama MVP Debate (14:38–16:10; 18:50–24:09)

• Colin Cowherd takes a bold MVP stance: “I would vote Wimby. Even though he's a B plus offensive player because he's the best defensive player maybe since Kareem in his prime.” (14:54)
• Cites Wemby’s game-altering defense, drawing comparisons to Steph Curry’s offensive impact.
• Rachel Nichols agrees on his generational impact but notes SGA’s (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) consistency: “I think SGA has been a little more consistent throughout the year. ...We'll see. It's going to be close. It'll be fun." (15:32)
• Cowherd: “Wemby changes more than any player I've ever seen. ...He changes the way you play offensively.” (15:12)
• Further lauds Wemby’s uniqueness in league history (18:50–24:09): "Wemby is just physically ...it's not just 7'4". ...His ability to kind of adapt defensively...Wemby is the best defensive player in the league..." (segment summarized)

6. More NBA Draft Analysis – Depth of 2026 Class (32:16–36:59, 39:55–41:18)

• Jason McIntyre brings breaking news that Darius Acuff is now seen as a top-3 prospect (32:16).
• Cowherd praises Acuff’s well-rounded offensive game: “He elevates others. He is just a special offensive plate. ...He is going to be a liability on the defensive end. ...But he is really something.” (33:13)
• Derrick Roz, Caleb Wilson, Boozer, and AJ are all debated for their potential franchises’ impact and relative risk.
• Cowherd: “There are eight to nine players in this draft with the potential to be stars. ...All of them. All of these guys are really good.” (35:34, 39:55)
• Peterson’s durability and mentality remain question marks, and AJ is increasingly seen as the safer #1 choice.

7. NFL Draft & UFL Notes (37:25–39:47)

• McIntyre and Cowherd discuss Todd McShay’s mock draft, highlighting durability concerns with Jordan Tyson and positional depth at linebacker and running back.
• Short segment on UFL expansion teams and coaching hires for spring football fans.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Rachel Nichols on Expansion:
  “Each current owner is going to get half a billion dollars in their pocket that they don't have to share with the players. By expanding to these two cities, it's not the best thing for the health of the league.” (04:37)

• On Darren Peterson’s Risk Profile:
  Cowherd: “He kind of plays by himself and he's a great athlete. He'll probably go number one. But in a stacked draft, there's a lot of flags here, are there not?” (10:37)
  Nichols: “He'd have to wow me in the interview for me to take that risk.” (11:18)

• On MVP Philosophy:
  Cowherd: “When the offensive genius is a huge liability defensively, I just think that has to be considered. Just considered. I'd go, Wemby, Luca, SGA, probably thereabouts.” (19:26)

• On Victor Wembanyama’s Impact:
  Cowherd: “Wemby changes more than any player I've ever seen. He changes the way you play offensively. ...I think Wemby's the MVP.” (15:12, 15:24)

• On Force Multipliers in the NBA:
  Cowherd: “That force multiplier thing I think is so important. Steph Curry is obviously a huge, huge multiplier, making everyone around him better.” (13:24)
  Nichols adds Tatum: “He is going to draw defenses away and enable other people to play better. His assist numbers are always high.” (13:34)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Time | Segment Title | Key Discussion Points | |----------|-----------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:55 | NBA Expansion & Relocation Debate | Vegas, Seattle, Memphis, New Orleans, league quality | | 05:48 | LeBron’s Future with the Lakers | Pay cut, reduced role, family, playoff utility | | 07:50 | Celtics & Jayson Tatum’s Resilience | Tatum’s return, team performance, toughness | | 09:29 | Draft Red Flags: NFL/NBA Parallels | Historical risky picks, signs to look for | | 10:37 | Darren Peterson Breakdown | Injury, mentality, comparison to Kawhi, force multipliers | | 14:38 | NBA MVP Debate: Wemby or SGA? | Wembanyama’s generational defense, SGA’s consistency | | 18:50 | Wemby's Rarity/Uniqueness in History | Cowherd’s MVP philosophy, comparison to historic players | | 24:09 | The Pressure & Dilemma of #1 Draft Pick | Talent depth, cautionary tales, durability impact | | 32:16 | Top NBA Prospects: Acuff, Wilson, Boozer, AJ | Skill profiles, fit, limitations, red flag analysis | | 37:25 | NFL Draft Mock & UFL Spring Football | Best fits, positional value, UFL expansion | | 39:55 | Depth of 2026 NBA Draft | Domestic vs. international trend, praise for top five prospects |

Final Takeaways

• The MVP race is hotter and closer than ever, with Wembanyama’s historic defense versus SGA’s consistency at the forefront.
• This draft class is stacked with both ceiling and risk, making the #1 pick more of a dilemma than a prize.
• Expansion is not universally welcomed; relocation of underperforming franchises is seen as wiser by respected voices.
• Player mentality, willingness to be a "force multiplier," and durability are underscored as as important as athletic talent in today’s NBA.
• The conversation flows briskly, loaded with insider perspective and firm, sometimes contrarian stances.

For listeners who missed the episode:
This hour provides a lively, multi-angle debate about the future of the NBA and the pivotal decisions facing GMs and voters alike. It’s a must-listen for hoops fans who want to understand the league’s power dynamics and the high-stakes chess match of building a championship roster or picking the right MVP.