Major update on Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith’s NBA on TNT future

RUMORS are swirling about the future of Inside the NBA’s studio talent.

Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith both have bids to join the new studio teams for Amazon and NBC Sports.

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However, despite those offers being on the table, Smith and Shaq are reportedly close to signing deals to return to TNT.

Inside the NBA has a quartet of hosts including Smith, Shaq, Charles Barkley, and Ernie Smith.

TNT is losing its rights to the NBA next season though, so they are licensing the show to ESPN starting in the Fall.

It seemed that there was a chance that the new version of Inside the NBA could air without half the cast, but it appears that won’t be the case.

Both Shaq and Smith did speak with representatives from Amazon and NBC Sports, but did not end up signing with them.

Those networks are in the process of building their teams to rival Inside the NBA.

The Prime Video team already includes Taylor Rooks, Dirk Nowitzki, and Blake Griffin.

NBC Sports has not announced any members of its studio team yet.

There are some names under consideration though, with Carmelo Anthony and Maria Taylor being talked about.

NBC is also looking at current players that could enter retirement soon to join the team.

Draymond Green, Chris Paul, Kevin Love, and Kyle Lowry are among those names.

NBC has announced their play-by-play broadcaster for NBA games, which will be Mike Tirico.

“I could not be more thrilled about returning courtside to call NBA games,” Tirico said.

“My 15 years of chronicling the best basketball players in the world still stands as one of the highlights of my career.

“Like so many others, my love of the league took hold during the unforgettable days of the NBA on NBC back in the ’90s.

“The chance to be a part of the team bringing that iconic partnership back to life has us incredibly excited.”

NBC and Prime Video have shown that they can put together capable teams for NFL coverage.

Both networks have studio teams that rival those of ESPN.

However, it will be hard to assemble any sort of crew that can topple the likes of Inside the NBA.

Shaq, Smith, Johnson, and Barkley will likely hold the crown as No. 1 as long as they are in business.