The Herd with Colin Cowherd — "What's Wright" Best Of: Cowboys & Colts INSANE Trades, Bronny James Reaction, Luka Doncic's Historic Start, NFL Week 10 Picks

Date: November 9, 2025
Host: Nick Wright
Producer/Co-Host: Damanza

Episode Overview

This episode of "What's Wright" recaps the week's hottest sports topics, featuring Nick Wright's signature blend of deep analysis and sharp opinion. Key topics include Nick's breakdown of wild NFL trades involving the Dallas Cowboys and Indianapolis Colts, a critical reaction to Bronny James' media narrative, Luka Doncic's historic start to the NBA season, and Nick's picks for NFL Week 10. The episode is fast-paced, unfiltered, and heavy on data, bringing listeners both context and candid takes on some of the week's most polarizing moves in sports.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Cowboys & Colts INSANE Trades

Timestamps: [03:46] – [22:20]

• Cowboys' Trade Maneuvers:

  • Dallas traded for Logan Wilson, then sent a substantial haul for Quinnen Williams, including high draft picks.
  • "They barely, barely got more for Micah Parsons than they traded away for Quinnen Williams. So let's do the actual accounting..." (Nick, [04:00])
  • The complex swap results in Dallas potentially sending out more valuable picks than they received—especially if their own season goes poorly.
  • Nick’s Verdict: “This Cowboys move, even if Quinnen Williams is really good and I think he is, is as baffling of an NFL trade as you’ll see for years.” ([06:53])

• Parsons vs. Quinnen Williams Value:

  • “Even if Quinnen is cheaper than Micah, that is not enough to offset the difference in value of the player's impact on the field.” ([07:24])
  • If the Packers (who sent picks to Dallas) perform well, Dallas could end up with late firsts while sending out higher value picks to the Jets.
  • "Cowboys agreeing to send the better of the two picks they have in the 2027 draft is unfathomable..." ([09:49])

• Colts’ Risky Move for Sauce Gardner:

  • Indy trades two first-rounders for Sauce Gardner, going all in on Daniel Jones.
  • “It’s one of the riskiest moves I have seen a team make in 10 years... The Colts to be doing this not only when it’s just been a half season of good Daniel Jones but... they don’t even have Daniel Jones locked up on a contract is stunning.” ([11:22])
  • Compares this gamble to other historic trades: Bears for Khalil Mack, Rams for Jalen Ramsey, Seahawks for Jamal Adams.
  • If Jones underperforms or leaves, Colts are “over a barrel” without picks to pivot.
  • “The Colts have put themselves in a position now where Daniel is going to get... four years, $180 million, $45 million a year.” ([15:08])

• Nick on the Colts’ Franchise Gamble:

  • Health concerns: Jones has a history of injuries.
  • “They have painted themselves in a corner... we saw eight good games from Daniel Jones... and now we are going to remove any ability we have to pivot at that position. And it’s gutsy. I just wonder how it’s going to feel if this season ends with them hosting a wild card playoff game... and getting beat and they’re one and done.” ([16:00])
  • Admits it’s a “real go all in move” but says, “It would have been too rich for my blood.” ([18:11])

• Jets’ Haul and Rebuild:

  • “Jets, they now have five first-round picks over the next two years. So surely they can’t mess this up, right?” (Damanza, [19:07])
  • Nick: “I respect the Jets recognizing ‘we are nowhere close and by the time we get close, Quinnen is probably out of his prime.’” ([19:31])
  • On the Jets strategy: “So the Jets acquiring a bunch of first round picks for a team that hasn’t been able to get quarterback right is obviously something they need to do. And so I, I don’t begrudge it. I do feel badly for their fans because it’s just perpetual rebuilds too, man.” ([21:30])

2. Bronny James: Media Reaction vs. NBA Reality

Timestamps: [28:43] – [35:15]

• Media Critique & Nepotism Narrative:

  • Recaps last year’s heated media reactions on Bronny’s draft: “We were in full blown Bronny James meltdown in the media about the scourges of nepotism and LeBron forcing the Lakers into such a mistake...” ([28:52])
  • Contrasts that with Bronny’s steady, if unspectacular, debut: “Now, the Lakers... played Bronny in crunch time, he played really good defense, had one awesome driving kick for a critical three and they won.”
  • Nick lays out comparative stats: Bronny, while not a star, is outperforming most late-second-round peers in minutes and assists, and holding his own in steals.
  • Key Quote: “Bronny James has been a slightly above average late second round pick. That’s what he’s been as a pro... The folks that used him as a cudgel because they hate LeBron should be embarrassed.” ([34:13])

• Mature Perspective:

  • Applauds Bronny’s resilience amid harsh scrutiny: “Good for him for playing his first ever crunch time NBA minutes... and just looking the part of oh yeah, that looks like the 11th best guy on an NBA team.” ([34:44])

3. Luka Doncic's Historic Start & NBA Check-in

Timestamps: [35:15] – [42:48]

• Luka’s Record-Setting Performance:

  • “Luka’s been absolutely historically great... Only Wilt has ever scored more points through the opening five games of a season...” ([35:17])
  • Stat line: “Luka giving you a nice tidy 40, 11 and 9 on 50% shooting despite shooting 30% from 3.” ([38:45])
  • “Up to this moment of the season, he’s been either the best or the second best player in the sport.” ([38:35])

• Mavericks' Downfall Post-Luka:

  • Highlights how the Mavericks’ woes underline Luka’s true value.
  • If L.A. was offered Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg for Luka, “they would say no.” ([37:51])
  • Emphasizes the absurdity of previous “how good is Luka really?” debates.

• Surprise Lakers Success:

  • Despite roster upheavals and injuries, Lakers start 7-2.
  • “They’re legit. 7-2, beating the Spurs without Austin Reeves and obviously no LeBron.” ([42:00])
  • Praises Lakers’ FO and JJ Redick as coach: "Credit to Pelinka, a lot of credit to JJ Redick, who has this team ready to play every night.” ([42:24])

• Big-Picture NBA Parity:

  • Brief shout-outs to Giannis, Shea (Thunder), and the Bulls’ shock start.
  • Despite doubters, Nick claims Lakers (with healthy LeBron and Luka) are “one of the only teams in the league with two top 10 guys.” ([42:54])

4. NFL Week 10 Picks & Quick Hit Insights

Timestamps: [48:16] – [56:09]

Nick’s Five Key Picks (All lines via Hard Rock Bet)

• Atlanta (+6.5) vs Indianapolis (Berlin Game)

  • “A corner does not move the point the game a full point... That's fans overreacting to a trade.” ([48:41])
  • Sees it as a one-possession game; takes the points.

• Tampa Bay (-2.5) vs New England

  • “I think New England's really good, but Tampa... is better. They are off a bye... I'm getting the better team, better quarterback, at home, off a bye... I think Tampa wins by at least a field goal.” ([50:18])

• Jacksonville (-1) at Houston

  • “Fading Davis Mills... with Davis Mills being the quarterback, I'll just take Jacksonville to win.” ([51:44])

• Chicago (-3.5) vs NY Giants

  • “Bears have an explosive offense... I just don't trust the Giants defense right now... their spirit was stolen in that Broncos loss. So I'll lay 3.5 with Caleb [Williams].” ([52:51])

• Pittsburgh (+3) at Chargers

  • “The Chargers without Joe Alt against a... rejuvenated Steelers defense... Tomlin, 67-40-4 against the spread as an underdog... I think the Steelers win, and if not, it's a last-second game. I'm getting three points.” ([54:45])
  • Notes Steelers fans will overrun SoFi stadium: “That's going to be all Steelers fans taking over SoFi in LA... not really a road game for them.” ([55:53])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Cowboys’ Trade Logic:
  Nick Wright ([06:53]) — “As baffling of an NFL trade as you’ll see for years. And it totally goes against Damanze, Jerry’s whole take which was trading Micah defense...”

• On Colts’ Gamble:
  Nick Wright ([11:22]) — “It’s one of the riskiest moves I have seen a team make in 10 years... To be doing this not only after just a half season of good Daniel Jones, but... they don’t even have Daniel Jones locked up on a contract is stunning.”

• On Jet Draft Philosophy:
  Nick Wright ([21:09]) — “If you have a no doubt franchise quarterback on your team... that quarterback was taken in round one... So the Jets acquiring a bunch of first round picks... is obviously something they need to do.”

• Bronny James' Reality:
  Nick Wright ([34:44]) — “Bronny James has been a slightly above average late second round pick... The folks that used him as a cudgel because they hate LeBron should be embarrassed.”

• Luka’s MVP Caliber Start:
  Nick Wright ([38:45]) — “Luka giving you a nice tidy 40, 11, and 9 on 50% shooting despite shooting 30% from 3 has just been... not shocking because you know how good he is, but remarkable.”

• Surprising Lakers Competence:
  Nick Wright ([42:24]) — “Credit to Pelinka, a lot of credit to JJ Redick, who has this team ready to play every night... They're legit. 7-2, beating the Spurs without Austin Reeves and obviously no LeBron.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:46] — Cowboys/Colts/Jets trades breakdown
• [11:10] — Colts risk on Sauce & Daniel Jones
• [19:07] — Jets future & draft philosophy
• [28:43] — Bronny James media vs. reality
• [35:15] — Luka Doncic’s historic start; Lakers/NBA landscape
• [48:16] — NFL Week 10 lines & picks

Episode Tone and Style

Nick Wright brings a mix of confident, data-driven analysis and biting, sometimes mocking, commentary. He’s unapologetically opinionated, frequently blending humor and incredulity, but always brings receipts (stats, analogies, concrete scenarios). Damanza’s role oscillates between sounding board and color man, teeing up reactions and providing comic relief.

For listeners or readers who missed this episode, you'll walk away understanding why recent NFL trades have left analysts dumbfounded, how public narratives skew reality for players like Bronny James, and how Luka Doncic continues to redefine what’s possible early in an NBA season. Plus, you’ll have the blueprint for Nickel-Rick’s NFL Week 10 attitudes—stats, betting angles, and all.