Major update on Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith’s NBA on TNT future with exit rumors escalating

Rumors are swirling about the future of Inside NBA studio talent.

Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith both have offers to join new studio teams for Amazon and NBC Sports.

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However, although these offers are on the table, Smith and Shaq are close to signing deals to return to TNT.

Within the NBA there is a quartet of hosts including Smith, Shaq, Charles Barkley and Ernie Smith.

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

There seems to be a chance the Inside the NBA remake will air without half the cast, but it looks like that won't be the case.

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

These networks are in the process of building their teams to compete within 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, with Carmelo Anthony and Maria Taylor being talked about.

NBC is also looking for current players who may be retiring soon to join the team.

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

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

“I couldn't be more thrilled about getting back on the court calling NBA games,” Tirico said.

“The 15 years I spent chronicling the best basketball players in the world remains one of the highlights of my career.

“Like many others, my love for the league was cemented during the memorable days of the NBA on NBC in the 1990s.

“The opportunity to be part of the team bringing this special partnership to life has us extremely excited.”

NBC and Prime Video have shown they can put together teams capable of covering the NFL.

Both networks have studio teams that rival those of ESPN.

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

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