Amid the current information that John Wall’s first post-retirement endeavor might be becoming a member of Prime’s desk of NBA analysts for its inaugural season of NBA protection, I naturally started to surprise which gamers can be greatest fitted to a possible profession as an NBA broadcaster, analyst or speaking head as soon as their taking part in days come to an in depth.
In fact you’ve gotten the apparent selections like Draymond Inexperienced and C.J. McCollum, who’ve already dipped their toes in broadcasting even whereas nonetheless remaining lively NBA gamers. However what about somebody like Anthony Edwards, who would possibly simply be the smoothest talker the sport has seen in a technology? Or possibly somebody like Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has all the time had a knack for comedic timing and saying precisely what’s on his thoughts at any given time.
I don’t assume we’ll ever see Nikola Jokic in a lapel go well with on an NBC set, however might we see somebody of LeBron James or Steph Curry’s stature make the transition to TV? I wouldn’t usually wager on it, however we did see Michael Jordan get introduced as one of many NBA on NBC contributors, so you’ll be able to actually by no means say by no means.
Listed beneath are the 5 prime and practical candidates for a future position as an NBA analyst, starting from surefire locks to some that lean nearer to wishful considering. The sports activities media trade appears to be transferring towards an period the place it seeks out contributions from ex-players greater than individuals who cowl the game for a dwelling, so there’ll certainly be greater than 5 present NBA gamers who attempt their hand at a tv profession sooner or later. Which means your favourite participant nonetheless has an opportunity in the event that they didn’t make the reduce right here.
Draymond Inexperienced, Warriors (Age 35)
That is the apparent one. Draymond formally set himself on the trail for a post-retirement TV position by signing a multi-year unique take care of Turner Sports activities in 2022, the primary such deal between an lively participant and one of many league’s (then) broadcasting companions. He even took it a step additional by embarking on a profitable, but controversial journey because the host of a famend podcast, “The Draymond Inexperienced Present”, typically recording and releasing episodes within the hours instantly following essential video games.
Inexperienced has lengthy been one of many recreation’s most polarizing figures on the court docket, however he’s acquired rave evaluations for his contributions to the TNT desk throughout his time working for the community. As a result of he’ll possible persist with pregame and postgame reveals as an alternative of doing shade commentary, it’s not onerous to examine Inexperienced having a Charles Barkley-esque second act because the premier speaking head within the sport.
C.J. McCollum, Wizards (Age 33)
McCollum is one other man you’ll nearly definitely see in your TV display screen for some years after his taking part in automotive. Largely as a result of, similar to Inexperienced, he’s already planted the seeds to transition to a profession on TV when he lastly decides to hold up his jersey. McCollum made his TV debut as a contributor to ESPN’s protection of the 2022 NBA Finals and continued his work with the worldwide chief in sports activities by becoming a member of the corporate’s protection of NBA Summer time League weeks later.
As the previous president of the NBA Participant’s Affiliation, McCollum isn’t any stranger to a forward-facing position that requires him to be a clean talker. If Draymond’s TV potential is corresponding to Barkley’s, it’s not too loopy to assume McCollum might have a protracted and profitable profession as a practical analyst in the identical vein as Greg Anthony.
Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves (Age 24)
Anthony Edwards is likely to be aiming for the silver display screen as an alternative of an analyst spherical desk when his taking part in profession ends, however you’ll be able to’t deny that essentially the most charismatic participant within the NBA can be must-watch TV as an NBA speaking head. Think about Edwards verbally sparring with Stephen A. Smith earlier than an NBA Finals recreation, or roasting one in every of his former rivals the best way we’ve heard Shaq and Barkley roast one another for thus a few years on Inside The NBA.
Edwards nonetheless has a decade-plus remaining in his taking part in profession, and he doesn’t seem to be the kind of man to just accept a TV contract after getting despatched dwelling early within the playoffs. So it should most likely be some time earlier than we see him on TV. But when it ever occurs, it’s certain to be an entertaining product.
Stephen Curry, Warriors (Age 37)
This one might be some wishful considering. However as I mentioned earlier, if Jordan goes to hitch NBC’s NBA protection, then I suppose something is feasible. To get the insights of a participant of Curry’s caliber on a nightly broadcast can be an unimaginable alternative to get contained in the thoughts of one of the beloved skills in NBA historical past.
It will be much more attention-grabbing if we have been fortunate sufficient to get Curry and Draymond on the identical pregame present, permitting basketball followers to get an inside take a look at the chemistry that made one of many biggest duos in NBA historical past. I nearly received a little bit grasping and selected LeBron for the primary legendary participant slot, however I’ve a tough time believing he would signal with one other media firm earlier than beginning (or persevering with) his personal media endeavor.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks (Age 30)
“The Greek Freak” is among the funniest gamers within the NBA, with numerous viral quips and moments on digicam which have endeared him to followers internationally even though he doesn’t all the time preserve his nostril clear in on-court scuffles. Giannis can be the proper aspect character on a usually severe broadcast, very similar to the position Invoice Walton performed throughout the cherished time he spent gracing our tv screens.
The one roadblock to that is that Giannis does seem to be a reasonably reserved and stoic man a variety of occasions in the case of the sport of basketball, so it wouldn’t shock me if he simply wished to concentrate on his household life and different avenues when he does determine to step away from the sport. If this ever does occur, I feel even individuals who aren’t the most important Giannis followers would discover themselves entertained by his antics.
