Kenny Smith is set to begin a new chapter with ESPN. He recently signed a multi-year agreement that will see him appear on multiple programs on ESPN. This will include Stephen Smith’s First Take as the main show. Previously, Smith was part of the core studio team of Inside The NBA, on TNT alongside Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and Ernie Johnson Jr.

But Inside the NBA has been moving to ESPN since this October. There are doubts about this new ESPN contract in hand. Is Smith preparing to leave Inside the NBA altogether? Or will he balance both roles simultaneously? But first, let’s take a look at his journey from the beginning.

Who is Kenny Smith?

Kenny Smith, or “The Jet”, as he is known to fans, had first made his mark on the hardwood. Long before becoming one of television’s most recognizable NBA voices, he was in the NBA. Part of the reason why his analysis holds such significance is because of his own experience. He was born on March 8, 1965, in Queens, New York. Smith attended Archbishop Molloy High School before joining the University of North Carolina under legendary coach Dean Smith. His entry to the NBA stemmed from his leadership and quickness, leading to his selection as the sixth overall pick in the 1987 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings.

Hence started a decade-long NBA career. Throughout which, Smith played for six franchises – the Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, and Denver Nuggets. His most memorable career breakthrough came in Houston. There, he served as a key starting guard and helped the Rockets capture back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995.

Smith smoothly transitioned from the court to the studio when his playing career wrapped up in the late 1990s. In 1998, he joined Inside the NBA on TNT, literally becoming one of the founding voices of the iconic broadcast team. Soon after, Shaq and Barkley joined him. But will they continue with him through this new deal? Probably not.

Why is Kenny Smith on ESPN NBA Countdown without Shaq, Charles?

Kenny Smith’s new position on ESPN’s NBA Countdown is the network’s decision to broaden his role across multiple programs. Under this multi-year agreement, Smith will appear not only on ESPN’s First Take but also integrate more deeply into ESPN’s NBA coverage ecosystem. This also stems from the move of Inside the NBA from TNT to ESPN starting this October.

At the same time, the move has raised eyebrows because Charles Barkley has been publicly hesitant about segmenting the longstanding Inside the NBA crew across other shows. Barkley, who is never the one to hold back, had criticized the plans before they became a reality, saying, “TNT is trying to do something stupid behind the scenes… we taped a pilot about a month ago and it was the stupidest s— ever… ‘Cause we’re not gonna be on ESPN as much as people think… we’re only probably gonna be working for ESPN like half the time to one-third of the time. … They don’t have the rights to show NBA highlights anymore. … And anybody who likes basketball, they ain’t gonna say, ‘Hey, you know what? Let me turn off an NBA game on Amazon, ESPN, or NBC to go watch these four dudes sit around talking about nothing.”

Kenny Smith’s new ESPN deal

Kenny Smith’s new partnership with ESPN is set to mark a significant evolution in how fans will see him throughout the NBA season. Smith will expand his footprint across several of ESPN’s biggest basketball platforms. Starting with First Take, which was previously hosted by SAS and Molly Qerim. The show saw a sudden shift when Molly Qerim abruptly left ESPN. He will now appear regularly on the same show as the co-host of Stephen A Smith.

Here, his player insight will complement the show’s high-energy debates. He will also be joining NBA Countdown as a rotating guest analyst. Beyond the studio, Smith will step into the commentary booth for select national broadcasts.

The rollout of this expanded role is currently underway. Debuting with Smith’s scheduled appearances on NBA Countdown and First Take began in November 2025. Previously, Inside the NBA was able to transition to ESPN for the 2025-26 season without many changes. This arrangement allows him to maintain his signature role on that iconic show while broadening his presence within ESPN’s programming network.

What’s next for Kenny Smith?

More of Kenny Smith is next for fans and NBA enthusiasts who like to tune in for post-game analyses.  As for Smith himself, every opportunity to stay connected with sports is a good one. One that he cannot afford to let go. Fans can expect to see much more of Kenny Smith across ESPN’s programming lineup.

This could make Smith’s name almost synonymous with the shows he is set to appear regularly on. Beginning with First Take alongside Stephen A. Smith, then offering pregame insights on NBA Countdown. Ultimately, he lent his voice to select ESPN and ABC game broadcasts throughout the 2025-26 NBA season. This expanded visibility cements Smith’s position as one of the most versatile basketball analysts on television and now online.

A veteran broadcaster is stepping into a larger national stage. That too, without abandoning the show that helped define his post-playing career. This is a new beginning for both Smith and ESPN. As ESPN reshapes its NBA coverage, Smith portrays the transition to this new era. It will, in part, bridge the gap in coverage between networks. Whether it is on Inside the NBA or on First Take, “The Jet” continues to prove that his insights remain as sharp as ever.