After a recent change at ESPN , host Stephen A. Smith will be welcoming a new colleague to " First Take ." Kenny Smith has apparently secured another significant position at his new network after moving to the Worldwide Leader this year with the rest of the " Inside the NBA " team.
The two-time NBA champion will also provide commentary for a few of NBA games this season, according to ESPN's release. Smith has signed a new multi-year contract that will increase his visibility on the network's airwaves. It's evident that ESPN is excited to have Kenny as a mainstay of its basketball coverage, even though specifics of the deal are still unclear.
Kenny Smith’s new move marks a big step forward in his growing journey at ESPN
A well-known "First Take" colleague has joined Stephen A. Smith . Kenny Smith has signed a contract with ESPN that will allow him to announce games and make appearances on episodes of First Take. As per an insider:
“Inside the NBA" analyst Kenny Smith has agreed to a deal with ESPN that includes select NBA game analyst assignments and appearances on the network’s ‘First Take’ morning debate show. Smith will also appear on Wednesday’s ‘NBA Countdown’ as a guest analyst, appearing alongside Malika Andrews, Michael Malone and Kendrick Perkins.”
As part of a new NBA contract, Smith joined ESPN this season as "Inside the NBA" moved from TNT to The Worldwide Leader in Sports. He will now take on more responsibilities with the network, beginning this Wednesday as an analyst on "NBA Countdown."
After the move was confirmed, it was anticipated that Stephen would appear on "Inside the NBA," but nothing major has changed. It turns out that Kenny will be appearing on the "First Take" host's show.
Smith and Stephen go a long way back. Smith, who is well-known for his accuracy, reportedly unexpectedly lost a free-throw shooting competition to Stephen, in a December "Inside the NBA" broadcast.
From 1987 to 1997, the former guard participated in ten NBA seasons and won two titles with the Houston Rockets. He is still very well-liked by basketball fans, and it seems that ESPN wants to take advantage of his fame.
Fans praised Shaq, Kenny, Ernie, and Chuck when they made their ESPN debut on October 22. "Inside" was able to maintain the formula that viewers had grown to enjoy while the show won 21 Sports Emmy Awards.
At his new company, Kenny will now assume even greater responsibilities. Meanwhile, Stephen hasn't said anything about the new development as of yet.
Also read: Stephen A. Smith weighs in on Kawhi Leonard and Uncle Dennis amid Clippers’ $28 million family controversy
The two-time NBA champion will also provide commentary for a few of NBA games this season, according to ESPN's release. Smith has signed a new multi-year contract that will increase his visibility on the network's airwaves. It's evident that ESPN is excited to have Kenny as a mainstay of its basketball coverage, even though specifics of the deal are still unclear.
Kenny Smith’s new move marks a big step forward in his growing journey at ESPN
A well-known "First Take" colleague has joined Stephen A. Smith . Kenny Smith has signed a contract with ESPN that will allow him to announce games and make appearances on episodes of First Take. As per an insider:
“Inside the NBA" analyst Kenny Smith has agreed to a deal with ESPN that includes select NBA game analyst assignments and appearances on the network’s ‘First Take’ morning debate show. Smith will also appear on Wednesday’s ‘NBA Countdown’ as a guest analyst, appearing alongside Malika Andrews, Michael Malone and Kendrick Perkins.”
As part of a new NBA contract, Smith joined ESPN this season as "Inside the NBA" moved from TNT to The Worldwide Leader in Sports. He will now take on more responsibilities with the network, beginning this Wednesday as an analyst on "NBA Countdown."
After the move was confirmed, it was anticipated that Stephen would appear on "Inside the NBA," but nothing major has changed. It turns out that Kenny will be appearing on the "First Take" host's show.
Kenny Smith is signing a deal with ESPN that will have him call games and appear on First Take episodes, per @paulsen_smw
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 5, 2025
“‘Inside the NBA’analyst Kenny Smith has agreed to a deal with ESPN that includes select NBA game analyst assignments and appearances on the network’s… pic.twitter.com/PU2ilTsV41
Smith and Stephen go a long way back. Smith, who is well-known for his accuracy, reportedly unexpectedly lost a free-throw shooting competition to Stephen, in a December "Inside the NBA" broadcast.
From 1987 to 1997, the former guard participated in ten NBA seasons and won two titles with the Houston Rockets. He is still very well-liked by basketball fans, and it seems that ESPN wants to take advantage of his fame.
Fans praised Shaq, Kenny, Ernie, and Chuck when they made their ESPN debut on October 22. "Inside" was able to maintain the formula that viewers had grown to enjoy while the show won 21 Sports Emmy Awards.
At his new company, Kenny will now assume even greater responsibilities. Meanwhile, Stephen hasn't said anything about the new development as of yet.
Also read: Stephen A. Smith weighs in on Kawhi Leonard and Uncle Dennis amid Clippers’ $28 million family controversy
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