Stephen A. Smith wanted Max Kellerman out, and he got it.
Now it is being reported that Smith, ESPN’s highest-paid television personality and arguably the face of the network, is hoping to team up with Magic Johnson on “NBA Countdown” and elsewhere on ESPN, according to The New York Post’s Andrew Marchand.
“These days, what Stephen A. Smith wants at ESPN, Stephen A. gets. Next up, Magic Johnson,” Marchand wrote on NYPost.com. “Smith wants to team up with Johnson, possibly on “NBA Countdown,” the pregame show that leads into the NBA Finals and other marquee games, according to sources.”
On top of that, Smith wants to add Michael Wilbon as well.
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While this is the “ideal setup” for Smith, per Marchand, nothing has been finalized yet.
Johnson last served as the president of basketball operations for the Los Angeles Lakers before he decided to pasrt ways with them in 2019. The Hall of Famer has made appearances on ESPN’s studio shows in recent years.
The network is also reportedly interested in bringing in Draymond Green, but he is still in the midst of his NBA career.
Smith’s “First Take” co-host Max Kellerman is moving from the show to ESPN Radio’s marquee morning show.
