ESPN NBA broadcasting roster updates

ESPN has expanded its NBA commentary roster for the 2026–27 season. Initial reports indicated the network was in advanced talks to hire former Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd for the ‘NBA Countdown’ program to fill the vacancy left by Michael Malone.

ESPN subsequently confirmed the hiring of Kidd and Jeremy Lin as analysts. Kidd will join the ‘NBA Countdown’ cast alongside Malika Andrews, Kendrick Perkins, Brian Windhorst, and Shams Charania, while also providing occasional game analysis. Lin will transition to a full-time role appearing on the daily ‘NBA Today’ studio show and serving as a game analyst. Other roster updates include Drew Carter and Mike Monaco on play-by-play, and Taylor McGregor on the sidelines.

Further details regarding the new hires clarify that Lin, who recently retired from professional basketball following stints in Taiwan and a championship with the Toronto Raptors, will leverage previous experience gained through guest appearances on the network during the NBA Finals and Summer League. Kidd joins the network after five seasons as head coach of the Dallas Mavericks. He joins a rotation of analysts that includes Richard Jefferson, Tim Legler, Doris Burke, and P. J. Carlesimo.