Richard Jefferson is set to officially join Mike Breen and Doris Burke as part of ABC/ESPN’s lead broadcast team, solidifying the network’s top booth for NBA coverage.
The commentary team has undergone several changes since ESPN parted ways with longtime analysts Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson following the 2023 NBA Finals.
Initially, Doc Rivers was brought in as a replacement, but he left the role in January 2024 to take over as the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks.
ESPN then turned to JJ Redick, who filled the analyst position through the remainder of the season, including the 2024 NBA Finals. However, Redick later departed to become the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, leaving another vacancy on the broadcast team.
Jefferson, a 44-year-old former NBA player and experienced analyst, has already worked alongside Breen and Burke throughout the season, including during the NBA’s inaugural In-Season Tournament.
His familiarity with the duo makes him a natural fit for the full-time role. Nonetheless, Jefferson’s future with ESPN remains uncertain, as his contract is set to expire, and he has drawn interest from Amazon to join its top broadcasting team.
Amazon has already secured Ian Eagle as its lead play-by-play announcer, and given Jefferson’s long-standing partnership with Eagle from their time calling games together on the YES Network, a move to Amazon remains a possibility.
For now, Jefferson’s addition brings stability to ESPN’s top booth, ensuring continuity in the network’s NBA coverage after a turbulent period of transitions.
Richard Jefferson Officially Joins ESPN's Top NBA Broadcast Team For Remainder Of Season https://t.co/DLJueFJFpg
— RealGM (@RealGM) February 24, 2025
