Kenny Smith signs new deal with ESPN, including primetime appearances

In a significant move that stronger ESPN NBA coverage during the 2025 season, former Houston Rockets guard and longtime Inside NBA analyst Kenny “The Jet” Smith signed a new multi-year contract with the network. The deal will see Smith appear regularly on “First Take,” join NBA Countdown as a guest analyst and serve as a commentator for select NBA broadcasts throughout the year.

ESPN announced the agreement on Wednesday, marking another phase in the network’s expanding partnership with TNT Sports following a sublicensing agreement that brought Inside NBA to ESPN earlier this year. Although the program is still a Warner Bros. production. Discovery, now airs on ESPN platforms, as TNT no longer has the rights to broadcast the NBA.

Under the new deal, Smith’s primary role will be as a frequent contributor to First Take, the flagship morning debate show hosted by Stephen A. Smith. He is likely to appear regularly alongside other ESPN personalities to offer analysis and perspective backed by his two NBA championships and decades of broadcast experience.

Smith will also participate in game analysis and feature on NBA Countdown from time to time, including the Wednesday night episode leading up to the New York Knicks-Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers-San Antonio Spurs games.

The partnership also gives Smith a broader platform beyond his established role on Inside the NBA, which airs intermittently this season. With Inside poised to return to a consistent schedule starting Jan. 24, ESPN’s move ensures that Smith remains visible during the off-air weeks.

As part of Inside the NBA for more than two decades, Smith helped the program earn 21 Sports Emmy Awards and institutionalize its status as one of the most influential shows on sports television. Prior to his tenure at TNT, he worked as a game analyst for Fox Sports’ ACC broadcasts and MSG Network’s New York Knicks coverage, leaving the latter in 2008. He also contributed to the major networks’ coverage, including NBC’s 2002 Eastern Conference Finals.

Amid the speculation, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Ernie Johnson did not make similar moves to ESPN. Barkley confirmed his exclusive commitment to TNT last year, even as he explored offers from other networks such as NBC and Amazon.

For ESPN, the addition of Smith bolsters its NBA lineup with a respected, proven championship voice. For Smith, the deal expands his platform at a time when the ESPN-TNT partnership is revolutionizing the way fans experience NBA coverage.