Remember those dark days when ESPN gave Jalen Rose the pink slip? After a decade on NBA Countdown, it was hard coming to terms with NBA media without the Fab Five icon. Now he’s got a spot on the new NBA media partner. However, a quick substitution of the outgoing media partner gives fans ideas. After Rose filled in for Kenny “The Jet” Smith on Inside the NBA, fans felt he was a better shift for this crew. It’s homecoming for Rose too.

With recent developments and Inside the NBA going to ESPN, there appears to be a world of opportunity for Rose. Could he be looking at a new possible TV home come 2025?

Homecoming for Jalen Rose

Kenny “The Jet” Smith had the Thanksgiving week off. So TNT announced Jalen Rose would fill in for him ahead of Tuesday’s show. He came in repping “The OG” but served a hilarious bit of disappointment by breaking Kenny’s record in Race to the Board on a technicality. He triggered Shaq with his take on ‘big men’ and elaborated Chuck’s points well.

Fans actually loved watching him on TNT more than they’ve ever during Rose’s tenure on NBA Countdown. He looked like a very good fit with this crew. Which will make it more exciting when he returns for the final telecast of the NBA Cup group stage.

The crew even pulled up Rose’s throwback from the vault. When he was still playing in the NBA, he spent the 2006 playoffs as a sideline reporter for Inside the NBA. This was when Shaquille O’Neal was en route to his fourth ring. Nick Van Exel tried to distract Rose by throwing towels at him, but the dedication to his report confirmed he was made for a broadcast career.

After retiring from the NBA in 2007, the ABC/ESPN collective immediately picked him up. Rose went from SportsCenter to ESPN’s NBA Countdown and First Take. To fans’ surprise though, ESPN let him go in a round of layoffs in 2023. Charles Barkley slammed ESPN for this move back then.

He was ecstatic to have Rose on TNT tonight, especially because Rose is a loyal Steamer (fans of The Steam Room). Since he fits right in, could this be Jalen Rose’s backdoor return to ESPN?

Options everywhere for Jalen Rose

This month, NBC Sports picked up Jalen Rose for the Big Ten College Countdown on Peacock. NBC is, of course, part of the $76 billion NBA media package starting from the 2025 season. This was going to be the end of the road for NBA on TNT and Inside the NBA was close to ending. However, TNT and ESPN agreed on a deal to license their flagship show, complete with the cast and crew, to the latter.

They’re still working out the details, particularly balancing the Inside Guys with ESPN’s roster. Industry insiders have differing reports that Stephen A. Smith may or may not join the Inside Guys as a regular or occasional. There’s even speculation about a spinoff/altcast like The Steam Room featuring Chuck and another ESPN personality. With so many ins and outs at both networks, there’s potential for other faces too.

It’s established that fans won’t be opposed to Jalen Rose joining the Inside Guys. And if he’s on the show while it airs on ESPN, it could be another homecoming for him.

But Rose also has a foot in NBC which is designing its own NBA broadcast. What if they decide to put Rose back on the primary NBA coverage? Options, options. If these turn up for Jalen Rose, what do you think he should pick?