Jason Kidd Breaks Silence on His New ESPN Role After Parting Ways With Mavericks

After nearly a couple of weeks of discussions, Jason Kidd is officially part of the ESPN crew. On Oct. 6, there were reports that Kidd was joining ESPN, specifically for its NBA studio coverage. Fast forward 10 days later, Kidd is now officially an NBA analyst for ESPN.

"Former NBA Champion and Basketball Hall of Fame member Jason Kidd joins ESPN as an analyst," ESPN wrote on X. "He will be part of the new-look NBA Countdown team. He will serve as game analyst for select games."

This is the first time Kidd will take on a television role with the NBA since retiring in 2013. After retiring, J-Kidd immediately took on coaching roles, starting his career with the Brooklyn Nets the season after his retirement.

Kidd took to social media to share his thoughts about becoming a television analyst for the first time in his career.

"Excited to join ESPN for the 2026-27 season," Kidd wrote on X. "Looking forward to working with some amazing colleagues and legends of the game, and providing my perspective in the studio for NBA Countdown."

It will be interesting to see how Kidd’s perspective on basketball translates into television analysis. As a former head coach who led the Dallas Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals, he could offer valuable insights to viewers at home.

Another Former NBA Champion Joins Jason Kidd at ESPN

The 2026-27 ESPN roster is looking stacked. While they already had a selection of former NBA stars on their platform, like Iman Shumpert, Danny Green, and Kendrick Perkins, they've added two more former NBA champions to the list.

Aside from the recently announced arrival of Jason Kidd to ESPN, the platform has also signed Jeremy Lin.

"Former NBA Champion Jeremy Lin joins ESPN as an analyst to contribute regularly to NBA Today; will serve as game analyst," ESPN wrote on X.

Despite having a short-lived NBA career, Lin is one of the most recognizable faces in the league. Aside from helping Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors win the NBA championship in 2019, Jeremy is better known for his 'Linsanity' era with the New York Knicks.

Back in 2012, then a nobody, Lin was given an opportunity to shine in the spotlight when Carmelo Anthony was out with an injury. The New York Knicks allowed Lin to play lengthy minutes on Feb. 4, 2012, against the New Jersey Nets. He exploded for 25 points, seven assists, and five rebounds, officially marking the birth of 'Linsanity'.

He shocked the league when he destroyed Kobe Bryant with a huge 38-point game over him, while hitting huge 3-point buzzer-beaters over the Raptors and other teams.

Lin's NBA journey also seems to add an interesting flavor to the mix of television analysis.