THE HERD - Hour 1 - Spurs vs Knicks tonight, thoughts on a possible Aaron Donald return, Les Snead

The Herd with Colin Cowherd42mJune 3, 2026
AI-Generated Summary

The Herd with Colin Cowherd kicks off its NBA Finals coverage with a deep dive into the Spurs vs. Knicks matchup, arguing that this series could be one of the greatest in league history due to its stark stylistic contrast—San Antonio’s draft-and-develop philosophy versus New York’s star-studded, trade-heavy approach. Cowherd emphasizes that Wemby’s dominance and the Knicks’ physicality create a rare 'Celtics-Lakers' vibe, with both teams built on authentic, distinct identities. The episode then pivots to NFL offseason chaos, spotlighting the Rams’ blockbuster acquisition of Myles Garrett, which has redefined their Super Bowl hopes. Les Snead, the Rams’ GM, joins live to reveal the emotional toll of trading young star Jared Verse for Garrett, calling it a 'difficult choice' made possible only with ownership’s blessing. The discussion turns to Aaron Donald’s rumored return, with Cowherd and Snead both suggesting that Donald’s motivation would hinge on being able to meaningfully impact a championship-caliber team. The episode ends with a candid look at the Falcons’ massive Drake London contract, highlighting the league’s growing financial imbalance and the unpredictability of Atlanta’s performance.

Key Takeaways
1

The Spurs vs. Knicks Finals could be a generational clash of basketball philosophies: draft-and-develop vs. trade-and-acquire.

2

Wemby’s 15-minute absence correlates with a 39-6 Spurs record since February 1st, proving his irreplaceable impact.

3

Les Snead confirmed trading Jared Verse for Myles Garrett was a 'very difficult' decision, made possible only with owner Stan Kroenke’s support.

4

Aaron Donald’s potential return hinges on him believing he can still help a contender—his motivation isn’t money, but meaning.

5

The Rams’ Super Bowl hopes are now overwhelming, but Cowherd warns: 'Just because you make a move on June 1 doesn’t guarantee anything.'

…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus

Chapters
2:35
4 min

Spurs vs. Knicks: A Clash of Cultures

The Spurs are a draft and develop organization. They got really, really bad to get really, really good draft picks, and they hit on all of them.

Highlight
8:03
4 min

Aaron Donald’s Return: A Temptation or a Reality?

If Aaron Donald came back, and there's no doubt in my mind, he would be elite. You'd have Byron Young on one side, Miles Garrett on the other.

Highlight
22:57
6 min

The Rams’ Myles Garrett Trade: A Game-Changer

It was at that point, wait a minute, Jared's been a big part of who we are, who we've become since we drafted him... We had to make that difficult choice.

Highlight
40:21
8 min

Les Snead on the Garrett Deal and Donald’s Future

Les Snead joins live to discuss the trade process, the role of ownership, and his belief that Aaron Donald would only return if he could help a championship team.

49:38
4 min

The Knicks’ Legacy and the Weight of Expectation

Frank Isola reflects on the Knicks’ 53-year championship drought and the cultural significance of this Finals, comparing them to the Cubs and Red Sox.

High-Impact Quotes
If Aaron Donald came back, and there's no doubt in my mind, he would be elite. You'd have Byron Young on one side, Miles Garrett on the other.
Colin Cowherd9:11
It was at that point, wait a minute, Jared's been a big part of who we are, who we've become since we drafted him, since we started retooling that defense. Because he was just a piece of our puzzle that we weren't planning to...
Les Snead42:43
You'd have Byron Young on one side, Miles Garrett on the other. Puna Ford was the number one rated nose tackle in the NFL last year. Braden Fisk has been a hit at defensive end and Kobe Turner will get a big payday. Let me insert Aaron Donald.
Colin Cowherd9:16
Speakers

Host

Colin Cowherd

Guests

Les SneadFrank Isola
Topics Discussed
nba-finals95%rams-myles-garrett-trade92%spurs-vs-knicks90%les-snead-gm88%aaron-donald-return85%draft-and-develop-model80%super-bowl-favorites78%drake-london-contract70%
People & Brands

ramses

organization

18xPositive

colin cowherd

person

15xNeutral

knicks

organization

14xPositive

aaron donald

person

14xPositive

spurs

organization

12xPositive

les snead

person

12xPositive

wemby

person

11xPositive

miles garrett

person

10xNeutral

drake london

person

6xNeutral

jared verse

person

5xNeutral

Start discovering podcast insights today

Start with a 7-day trial and explore a growing catalog of popular podcasts. No credit card required.

No credit card required • 7-day trial • Cancel anytime