Overview
- ESPN announced the agreement on Nov. 5, positioning Smith as a primary contributor to First Take with additional roles across its NBA coverage.
- Smith debuted as a guest on NBA Countdown the night of the announcement, joining Malika Andrews, Kendrick Perkins and Michael Malone before ESPN’s doubleheader.
- The deal includes select game analyst assignments, adding live broadcast duties to Smith’s studio work.
- Smith’s ESPN role is separate from Inside the NBA, which remains produced by Warner Bros. Discovery and now airs on ESPN under a licensing arrangement.
- There is no indication that Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal or Ernie Johnson will make similar moves, as Inside the NBA expands to a fuller schedule starting Jan. 24.