Kenny Smith could be “collateral damage,” 'Inside the NBA' in danger

Sports Entertainment

by Matt Ehardt

Kenny Smith may be a heretic.

The fate of “Inside the NBA” is unclear if TNT loses its NBA rights, but Pack said Smith “could be collateral damage” in the aftermath.

Smith, a two-time NBA champion with the Rockets and former University of North Carolina star, is part of TNT's four-person crew along with Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal and host Ernie Johnson.

“Smith, who played at North Carolina in the early '80s and cheered on the Olajuwon Rockets in the '90s, has less name recognition than some of the more recently retired pros,” Pack reported. “CBS made a similar move by replacing Boomer Esiason with Matt Ryan.”

The 2024-25 NBA season could be TNT's last, as NBC is in the process of acquiring the rights to the “B” package, which was previously owned by TNT's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery.

Without the NBA package, there would be no need for “Inside the NBA,” and there is a lot of speculation about the futures of Barkley, O'Neal, Smith and Johnson.

Pack reports there's “tremendous interest” in the future of TNT's talent, particularly from NBC and Amazon, who could potentially acquire the “C” package.

The “Inside the NBA” crew is beloved around the world, a rarity in the social media era when critics are free to post 280-character tweets.

Barkley has reportedly received enthusiastic approaches from stations, with several keen to approach O'Neal as well so the pair can continue their rivalry.

The Sports Business Journal reported that Johnson will remain with TNT no matter what happens.

Networks don't seem particularly impressed with Smith, which could result in him being replaced.

Draymond Green, already a contributor to Inside the NBA, is among the players expected to play an expanded role, Pack said, along with Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade and Grant Hill.

Smith, 59, seemed understandably nervous about the situation earlier this week, when he scolded The New York Times' Tania Ganguly for her interview with Barclay.

“She should approve it through Turner,” Smith said. “She should do it the right way.”