NBC is reportedly going with a familiar face as one of its lead NBA analysts next season.
TNT NBA analyst Reggie Miller is expected to join NBC Sports as a lead NBA analyst for the network’s NBA coverage next season, according to Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports. Per Glasspiegel, Miller and previously-announced NBC hire Jamal Crawford will rotate as the network’s top analyst, working alongside either Noah Eagle or lead voice Mike Tirico.
Miller and Crawford worked together on NBA playoff games for TNT last season alongside Kevin Harlan, who is expected to join fellow NBA newcomer Amazon next season.
Since retiring from the NBA in 2005, Miller has worked as an NBA analyst for TNT Sports — first splitting time between game analysis and the studio before shifting to games exclusively. He has spent nearly all of that time working alongside Harlan, including several years on NCAA men’s basketball tournament games.
NBC’s previous lead NBA analysts have included Mike Fratello, Matt Guokas, Doug Collins, Bill Walton and Steve “Snapper” Jones.
The Miller news comes as both NBC and Amazon seek to staff up for their new NBA packages that launch next season. While TNT personnel would be obvious choices for either network, as TNT Sports will no longer carry live games after this season, the newcomers are also eyeing ESPN talent.
On Tuesday, Andrew Marchand of The Athletic reported that Amazon is expected to hire ESPN sideline reporter Cassidy Hubbarth to serve in that same role on its lead broadcast team. Hubbarth joined ESPN in 2010 as a studio host for college football and basketball before moving primarily to the NBA, but has never been part of any lead game or studio team for the network.
Marchand also reported that Amazon is interested in ESPN analyst Richard Jefferson and TNT analyst Stan Van Gundy. Jefferson in particular would be a noteworthy hire, as he is considered a contender to join the lead ESPN broadcast team of Mike Breen and Doris Burke for the NBA Finals. Jefferson has worked nearly all of the marquee ABC games this season with Breen and Burke.
Ben Huddleston contributed to this article.
