There has been much conjecture over the Inside the NBA lineup since TNT Sports announced in November that it would lease the show to ESPN. However, according to a recent source, at least two crucial figures from Warner Bros. Discovery’s well-liked show will stay on board. The dynamic combo of Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and Ernie Johnson is the foundation for the well-known studio program.
Alexander Sherman of CBNC claims that Shaq apparently agrees to a five-year deal with TNT Sports to continue appearing on the program even after it is soon “leased” to ESPN. Smith will also sign a multi-year contract to return to the organization. The agreement’s terms are not yet known.
Sherman wrote, “But, rest assured NBA fans, O’Neal and Smith are coming back. Both are on the verge of re-signing with TNT Sports, CNBC has learned. O’Neal will sign a five-year contract. Smith will ink a multiyear deal, as well. A Warner Bros. Discovery spokesperson declined to comment.”
The future of Charles Barkley, the show’s third and most well-known commentator, is still in the air. According to Sherman’s story, Barkley’s contract does not have the flexibility language that Smith’s pact had. It will be challenging to assemble a team that can compete with shows like Inside the NBA. Shaq, Kenny, Ernie, and Chuck will probably remain the best team if they stay in the company.
Shaquille O’Neal Claims Nikola Jokic Is The Best Big Man In The NBA
Shaquille O’Neal claims that there is a clear winner in the argument over who the NBA’s top big man right now is. The great center boldly declared Nikola Jokic the finest big man in the game on a recent Inside the NBA show, shattering the ceaseless comparisons and conjecture.
O’Neal said, “He can do both, when he needs to go inside, he can do that. When he needs to go outside, he does that too. He’ll go down as one of the best. He plays the right way. I respect the man a lot.”
"As the President of the Big Man Alliance, I made this belt for you" ❤️🥹
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 22, 2025
Shaq & Jokić share a moment on the Postgame Show ✨ pic.twitter.com/UcPSwRxzyT
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This is Jokic’s thirteenth triple-double of the year. He and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder have solidified their spot at the top of the MVP rankings. Jokic is changing the definition of what it means to be a great big man in contemporary basketball with every season that goes by. He doesn’t seem to be slowing down and is in a strong position to establish himself as one of the NBA’s greatest big men.
