Back in 2023, ESPN shook up its flagship NBA studio show, leaving many fans scratching their heads. Among the big changes was the dismissal of longtime NBA Countdown analyst Jalen Rose. A move that felt almost strange given his decade-plus presence on the show. Alongside the former Indiana Pacers star, heavyweights like Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy were also shown the door. Thus marking a significant shift for the network.

For years, Jinx had been a steady presence on ESPN. Surviving the revolving door that had seen other NBA Countdown personalities come and go. A former Michigan basketball star and NBA veteran, he brought a unique blend of player insight and charisma to the screen. So, why would ESPN part ways with someone who had become such a familiar face to fans? The answer, as reported by Andrew Marchand of The New York Post, was tied to financial pressures from ESPN’s parent company, Disney.

In an effort to trim costs, ESPN made the tough call to let go of around 20 on-air personalities, and unfortunately, Jalen Rose’s significant salary put him in the crosshairs. So, as per the said reports, it wasn’t about talent but rather dollars and cents. Meanwhile, the network turned its focus to younger analysts like Richard Jefferson, Kendrick Perkins, and JJ Redick, who were seen as valuable for the future.

When the layoffs were announced on June 30, ESPN released a statement that gave some clarity—but little comfort. “Given the current environment, ESPN has determined it necessary to identify some additional cost savings in the area of public-facing commentator salaries,” the network explained. Further adding that the decisions were “based more on overall efficiency than merit”.

Despite the news, Jalen Rose showed no signs of bitterness. Instead, he took to Instagram with an amusing post, joking about going back to his Fab Five days.

Following this development, it was Kendrick Perkins who quickly emerged as a strong candidate to fill the former Indiana Pacer star’s shoes. And by this year, ESPN locked Perk into a multi-year contract extension, solidifying his role across its NBA coverage. From NBA Countdown to First Take and SportsCenter, Perkins will now further be a prominent voice in the network’s basketball programming.

Meanwhile, Rose has also been back in the highlights of media landscape with his recent Inside the NBA appearance.

Can Inside the NBA facilitate the return of Jalen Rose to mainstream media landscape?

Jinx’s recent appearance on TNT’s Inside the NBA reignited chatter about his broadcasting career. With Kenny Smith taking some well-deserved time off during Thanksgiving week, TNT gave fans a treat by bringing in Rose as a guest analyst for Tuesday’s show. And just the debut it was. He ruffled Shaquille O’Neal’s feathers with his hot take on ‘big men’ and chimed in brilliantly on Charles Barkley’s points.

No wonder it didn’t take long for fans to warm up to him, with many saying he felt more at home on TNT than he ever did during his time on NBA Countdown. The ex-Pacers star’s dynamic with the Inside the NBA guys was so seamless it had viewers wondering if he might be the missing puzzle piece on this iconic panel. And the best part? He’s coming back for the final telecast of the NBA Cup group stage.

Adding a dose of nostalgia, the TNT crew also pulled out an old clip from Jalen Rose’s playing days. Do you remember when Jinx tried his hands at sideline reporting during the 2006 playoffs? Shaq was chasing his fourth ring, and Rose was on the mic—dodging towels thrown by Nick Van Exel but never missing a beat.

No wonder that he didn’t waste any time post-retirement, quickly becoming a staple on ABC/ESPN’s programming. From SportsCenter to NBA Countdown and even First Take, he was everywhere. So when ESPN let him go in their 2023 layoffs, fans and even Charles Barkley were baffled. Barkley, who has been vocal about his admiration for the ex-Pacers star, was thrilled to see him back on Inside the NBA and reminded everyone that Rose is a proud Steamer (shoutout to The Steam Room crew).

But what’s next for the Big 5 legend from Michigan? Could this TNT stint lead to a permanent spot? Maybe even a backdoor return to ESPN with Inside the NBA shifting to their platform? Fans seem to love the idea. Then there’s NBC Sports, which recently tapped Jinx for Big Ten College Countdown. With NBC gearing up for the NBA’s $76 billion media package in 2025, Jalen Rose’s options are looking pretty exciting.