The sports media landscape is going to look a lot different going forward. While fans were still processing the shocking retirement of Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN dropped another bomb as they laid off senior NBA writer Zach Lowe. With a reported seven-figure salary, it seems more of a cost-cutting decision than a talent issue as Lowe had become a beloved personality among viewers. But what’s next for the media veteran? Well, the NBA world is hoping for a possible reunion with Bill Simmons amid his partner Kevin O’Connor’s recent departure.

Yes, with Kevin recently parting ways with The Ringer after working there since the company’s inception, Lowe could fill that void. While he spent the last twelve years working at ESPN, Lowe has old ties with Bill Simmons. Before Simmons founded The Ringer eight years ago, he too was employed by ESPN and worked with several writers on the network, including Lowe. It was in 2012 that the duo began working together on Bill’s brainchild, Grantland, a sports blog that ran for four years until Simmons left the network.

Then, the duo parted ways as Simmons focused on building The Ringer and Lowe gained a more prominent role as a writer and even made frequent appearances on NBA Today as an analyst. Moreover, his “Lowe Post” podcast on the network gained immense popularity recently as Zach broke down the Xs and Os of every move around the league. However, Lowe and Simmons continue to have a great relationship as they frequently appear as guests on each other’s podcasts. And with Lowe’s recent firing amid ESPN’s series of layoffs which also included Samantha Ponder and Robert Griffin III, Zach might now have a chance to rejoin forces with his former colleague. Surely, fans want to see it happen!

ESPN’s “All-time Bad Decision” could lead to Zach Lowe’s “Kevin Durant” to Warriors-level move

With Zach Lowe available in the market after over a decade, fans cannot wait to see which network he joins next. Sure enough, many expect him to join The Ringer as Kevin O’Connor’s replacement. “If the Ringer really goes from KOC to Zach Lowe it’s gonna be like when the Warriors went from having Harrison Barnes to Kevin Durant.” One netizen wrote, comparing the potential change to KD’s shocking move to the Warriors. Well, Simmons and Lowe on the same network surely could be a powerhouse as they share great chemistry and have found success together in the past.

Another fan hoped for a similar outcome writing, “In my mind, Zach Lowe is the back that Bill Simmons built the Grantland sports empire on. If Zach doesn’t end up at the Ringer (who just lost their biggest basketball personality to Yahoo), I’ll be very disappointed.” With Kevin O’Connor set to leave The Ringer to join Yahoo Sports, Lowe would be the perfect replacement for the role.

Meanwhile, several netizens criticized ESPN for firing a talent like Zach Lowe, who had been delivering quality content and analysis of the game for several years. “HOLY GOD, WHAT?!?! #ZachLowe is one of the smartest NBA analysts that I’ve EVER read or heard on a podcast.” One critic wrote while another called it an “All-time bad decision”.  Moreover, the netizens criticized ESPN’s strategy of preferring “hot take artists” over those “who actually know what they’re talking about.” Sure enough, even the critical fans wanted to see Lowe partnering with Simmons.

However, one realistic fan doesn’t believe the reunion will take place as he wrote, “Bill Simmons and The Ringer definitely can’t f**king afford Zach Lowe, but just for one second let us imagine.” With a reported salary of over $1 million at ESPN, Lowe was one of the highest-paid analysts on television. And it will be a huge hit to The Ringer’s pockets if they choose to pursue the media veteran.

Moreover, with NBC and Amazon entering NBA broadcasting next year amid the new media rights deal, talented analysts like Lowe will be in high demand and he might have multiple options to pick a future destination. Where do you think Lowe will land next?