ESPN is making changes to its lead National Basketball Association broadcast booth entering the 2023-24 regular season after the decision to move on from color commentators Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy. Longtime play-by-play announcer Mike Breen will reportedly be joined by Doris Burke and Doc Rivers, although no verdict has been formally announced by the network. Recent reports also suggest an expanded role for JJ Redick, a 15-year NBA veteran known for his three-point shooting ability and proficiency in the game.
Since retiring, Redick has worked with ESPN on a full-time basis, often appearing across its slate of studio programming. Last year, Redick began to more regularly provide color commentary on NBA broadcasts, including when the San Antonio Spurs held a game at the Alamodome to celebrate the venue’s 50th anniversary.
Redick understands the transition ESPN is making after partaking in talent layoffs and additional job cuts mandated by its parent organization, The Walt Disney Company. He recently expressed his thoughts on the situation at a youth basketball program he invests in on Long Island while being interview by Front Office Sports.
“It’s going to be a little weird for sure,” Redick said. “I felt like Mark and Jeff and Mike is just such an iconic team, and they’ve been on the call for so many historic moments – at least historic moments in my generation, so it’s going to be weird.”
Several on-air NBA talents were let go by the network in the talent round aside from Jackson and Van Gundy, including Jalen Rose – opening a spot on NBA Countdown. The premier studio show, which is reportedly set to be hosted by Malika Andrews, has featured Stephen A. Smith and Michael Wilbon for the past several seasons. The network figures to fill the open seat before opening night, and Redick’s name has surfaced in reports regarding the opening. At the same time, should ESPN choose to pivot from its new reported lead NBA commentary team, Redick could be a candidate to join Breen in the booth.
Redick is also passionate about covering the entire scope of the Association, as evidenced during the NBA Finals when he criticized television coverage for not spotlighting smaller market teams such as the Denver Nuggets. Led by Nikola Jokić, the team ultimately captured its first NBA Finals championship, defeating the Miami Heat in five games.
For now, Redick is focused on executing the roles he currently has to the best of his ability and contributing to coverage of professional basketball at large. He inked a contract extension last September that broadened his responsibilities to include covering the NBA Draft and appearing on Get Up and SportsCenter. Entering next season, his goal is to call more live games while continuing to appear on the aforementioned shows, along with First Take featuring Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim, to discuss all things basketball-related.
“I called 25 games last year, so that’s in my contract and ultimately probably where I want to spend the majority of my time,” Redick said. “But right now, I’m happy to do First Take and call games.”
