Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Hour 3 – Tomorrow's Headlines Today, featuring Yovan Buha
Aired: February 20, 2026
Host: Jason McIntyre (in for Colin Cowherd), with Rachel Nichols and guest Yovan Buha (NBA reporter and host of Buha’s Block Podcast)

Overview:

This episode dives deep into the NBA’s tanking issue, the Lakers’ future direction, the tantalizing possibility of a Lakers superteam (Luka, Giannis, and Austin Reaves), and broader NBA playoff and rebuild storylines. The show transitions to NFL headlines and closes with bold predictions for big names across sports in the “Tomorrow’s Headlines Today” segment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

NBA Tanking Debate

[01:31 – 04:29]

• Tanking as a Major Issue:

  • Yovan Buha: “That’s the hot button topic right now...I think it’s a big issue” [01:51].
  • Owners are split, especially small market teams who see tanking/draft advantages as leveling the field in free agency and trades.
  • Jason brings up examples of big market struggles ("My Knicks...they were down bad for like 20 years...It’s not just a small market issue" [03:34]).

• Possible Solutions:

  • Adam Silver’s incremental reform approach discussed: adjusting draft odds, possible changes to salary slots for rookies, giving incoming players more choice—but consensus is elusive.
  • "If you had...the worst team can offer 15 million...second worst 13 million...then the player gets to pick...that's drastic, and...owners won’t go for that." – Yovan Buha [02:50]

• Persistent Losing Teams:

  • Yovan notes that drafting alone can't save chronically dysfunctional teams: “When you have...10, 15 year runs of the same teams, nothing’s going to save them.” [04:07]

Lakers Current & Future Outlook

[04:29 – 08:42]

• Lakers' “Big Three” Health Woes:

  • The trio of Austin Reaves, Luka, and LeBron have played together only 11 times this season; only their third game all season with a fully healthy rotation [05:03].
  • Despite injuries, Lakers are in the thick of the playoff race but have the 8th toughest remaining schedule.

• Performance Concerns:

  • Lakers are 7-3 when Big Three play together, but with a concerning -9.8 net rating for those lineups [06:29].
  • "They’ve managed to win in spite of the struggles with those guys...if those three can’t play together, that limits the ceiling for the Lakers." – Yovan Buha [06:29]

• Offseason Preview:

  • Luka and Austin Reaves are seen as the Lakers' core moving forward; LeBron's future is uncertain—could return on a "hometown discount" for a final season [07:27].
  • "I think Luka and Austin are the two...to monitor...that’s the partnership long term." [07:27]
  • LeBron's next contract, possible retirement, and role all on the table.

Can the Lakers Get Giannis Without Losing Austin Reaves?

[08:42 – 13:12]

• Cap Space Maneuvering:

  • Lakers could theoretically carve out $51–60 million in cap space by cutting rights to FAs, trading picks/contracts [09:18].
  • Potential trade would involve giving up future firsts (2026, 2031, 2033) and facilitating a large trade exception for the Bucks.

• Bucks’ Dilemma:

  • For Milwaukee, trading Giannis for picks/cap relief is a tough sell to fans, but their financial situation may force radical moves [11:03].
  • Other teams (e.g., Houston, San Antonio) could trump the Lakers’ offer with better blue-chip talent.

• Player Influence:

  • Giannis would likely need to force the destination: “The one variable here is, does Giannis force his way to LA?” – Buha [10:43]
  • Slim chance Lakers are true favorites, but their path improves if Giannis is insistent.

• Luka & Giannis Fit:

  • Would require substantial sacrifice from both, especially in play style.
  • "You don’t overthink it. Two top five guys, history suggests that’s a title." – Yovan Buha [13:12]

NBA Young Stars, Playoff Projections, and Cooper Flagg Hype

[14:55 – 16:56]

• Best Young Americans List:

  • Cooper Flagg is described as having possibly the most upside since LeBron ("arguably the best teenager in NBA history" – Jason [15:14]).
  • Yovan generally praises Jason’s list, tweaks the order ("I’d have Jaylen Brown lower," "Some staffers would have Ant [Edwards] first," [15:30–15:49]).
  • Flagg is already posting rookie numbers comparable with LeBron and Luka.

• Kyrie Irving’s Future:

  • Yovan’s prediction: "I think they eventually move him. I don’t know if they’re going to move him this offseason" [16:40].

Spurs' Playoff Readiness & Rachel Nichols News Segment

[20:03 – 25:40]

• Spurs’ Surprise Run:

  • Victor Wembanyama reportedly believes the Spurs are right where they should be—already a contender.
  • Top 7 in both offense and defense, but lack playoff experience.
  • Jason shares his enthusiasm: “I believe in the Spurs team. I...watched the Spurs kick the Thunder’s butt four times...” [21:13].
  • Wemby praised as a future top 10 all-timer by Rachel ("I think he is going to be a top 10 player of all time." [23:13])

• NFL News Items:

  • Atlanta Falcons: Michael Penix’s health/timeline as a starting QB questioned. Kirk Cousins’ future potentially in flux.
  • Kurt Signetti Salary Jump: National champion coach moves into college football’s top salary tier ($13.2M), triggering debate on merit and rapid career rise.

Tomorrow's Headlines Today

[27:41 – 35:28]

Notable Predictions (Sports & NFL QBs)

• Tyreek Hill:
  • “Viva Velocity: Cheetah bets it all on silver and black” (predicting Tyreek to the Raiders). [28:36]
• Derek Carr:
  • “Used car sale: Vikes ditch lemon for old reliable” (predicts Carr to Vikings as a bridge QB). [29:49]
• Tua Tagovailoa:
  • “Tua fast, Tua furious: Finn Diesel finds new full amelié” (projects Tua to the Colts or another QB-needy team). [30:55]
• LeBron James:
  • “Le Blue Light Special: Crown comes at royal Discount” (LeBron returns to the Lakers on a reduced contract, with the hope of one more title shot). [31:57]
• Giannis Antetokounmpo:
  • “Bare Lakered Ladies: It’s been one Greek since you looked at me” (predicts Giannis orchestrates a move to Lakers, even if they can't offer the best package). [32:48]
    • Rachel Nichols: “If he says, look, that’s the only place I’ll sign an extension, nobody’s going to give the Bucks very much for him.” [33:17]
  • Discussion on whether the Lakers could be hated for building a Luka-Giannis superteam, and fallback strategies if Giannis isn’t attainable (e.g., Peyton Watson).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Tanking:

  • “That’s the hot button topic right now with everybody...But this clearly is a big issue when you have teams pulling guys out in the fourth quarter when they’re leading...” – Yovan Buha [01:51]

• On Lakers’ Health and Depth:

  • “They’ve been one of the least healthy teams this season. They’ve been one of the least healthy teams going back several seasons now.” – Yovan Buha [05:03]

• On Superteams:

  • “You don’t overthink it. Two top five guys, history suggests that’s a title.” – Yovan Buha, on the potential Luka and Giannis pairing [13:12]

• On Cooper Flagg:

  • “He’s 19 years old, arguably the best teenager in NBA history.” – Jason McIntyre [15:14]
  • “You look at his rookie numbers, he’s right there with LeBron and Luka in several stats.” – Yovan Buha [16:01]

• On Spurs and Wemby:

  • “He is going to be a top 10 player of all time...since LeBron was drafted.” – Rachel Nichols [23:13]

• On LeBron’s Future:

  • “He ain’t doing 50 million. Nobody’s paying him that. Get him on the cheap. I think there’s value.” – Jason McIntyre [31:57]

• Rachel on Giannis:

  • “He is going to be able to dictate, now that we’re waiting until the summer, the best place to do that. So if he thinks that’s the Lakers...he can steer them into not having to give up as much for him.” [33:17]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• NBA Tanking Discussion: [01:31 – 04:29]
• Lakers’ Health, Big Three & Ceiling: [04:29 – 08:42]
• Lakers' Offseason Plans, Giannis Acquisition Scenarios: [08:42 – 13:12]
• NBA Star Prospects, Cooper Flagg, Kyrie’s Future: [14:55 – 16:56]
• Spurs & Wemby Hype, Finals Debates: [20:03 – 23:34]
• NFL/College News Updates: [23:34 – 27:14]
• Tomorrow’s Headlines Today (Key Predictions): [27:41 – 35:28]

Overall Tone & Style

The tone is lively, speculative, and insider-driven, with frequent back-and-forth teasing and bold opinionated forecasts. Jason leans into the conversation with the energy of a sports fan unafraid to make hot takes, while Yovan provides measured, well-sourced NBA analysis. Rachel delivers polished, seasoned context with occasional tongue-in-cheek humor.

This summary is intended for listeners who missed the episode but want to catch up on all substantial sports content, highlights, and expert analysis shared during this hour of The Herd.