Exclusive | Kenny Smith is enjoying being wanted as his free agency looms

Kenny “The Jet” Smith is embracing the thought of being a free agent.

The “Inside the NBA” personality might be entering his last year with TNT — where he’s been for more than two decades — if the network’s parent company, Warner Brothers Discovery loses its bid for the NBA’s media rights with the next contract starting in the 2025-26 season.

Many would feel uneasy about the unknown, but not Smith.

The former two-time NBA champ is sitting back and enjoying being courted for his on-air prowess.

“Well, I’m feeling great starting the season. I feel like the pretty girl at the dance where everyone wants to possibly take you to the prom,” Smith told The Post while discussing FanDuel’s new promotion, which includes a League Pass offer ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season, on Wednesday. “I’m talking about the other networks [laughs], or the staying at the same network [TNT] and doing a hybrid show — for us, a hybrid-type show.

“So for me, it’s an interesting time being a free agent. I was joking [previously], but I think I’m going to do it now. I’m going to eventually do the LeBron [James] and say ‘I’m taking my talents to — and I’m going to have all the kids around me like him… I think in 30 days I’m going to find me a Boys and Girls Club somewhere and do my announcement.”

Smith was referencing when James announced he was taking his “talents” from the Cavaliers to Heat for the 2010 NBA season in a television special, entitled “The Decision,” on ESPN.

“But it’s a lot of fun. If it’s basketball, it’s me. It’s great to be coveted by so many people, even TNT as well,” Smith, 59, said. “Like I said, trying to create something that may live longer than that, or other networks. But it’s basketball, it’s me. This is what I do. I’ve done it for multiple decades. I’ve put myself and I think our show has put themselves in a position where we can all do something together and all do something separately, or we can all do it together.

“I look at us as ‘Seinfeld,’ with us group of guys… but we’re all great individually as well. It’s a lot of fun.”

Smith, along with his “Inside the NBA” co-hosts Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Ernie Johnson, have been at the center of speculation about the Emmy Award-winning show’s future after four decades on TNT.

The NBA and TNT’s current broadcast deals run through the 2025-26 season, including throughout the 2025 Western Conference Finals.

In July, the NBA secured 11-year agreements to air games on Amazon Prime Video and NBC, while also airing games across Disney platforms, ESPN and ABC.

At the time, TNT said it matched Amazon’s offer “as we have a contractual right to do, and do not believe the NBA can reject” a bid.

“We think they have grossly misinterpreted our contractual rights with respect to the 2025-26 season and beyond, and we will take appropriate action,” TNT said in its statement. “We look forward, however, to another great season of the NBA on TNT and Max, including our iconic Inside the NBA.” 

The NBA responded in a statement that Warner Bros. Discovery’s “most recent proposal did not match the terms of Amazon Prime Video’s offer, and therefore, we have entered into a long-term arrangement with Amazon.”

That deal is an 11-year $1.8 billion annual contract.

In August, the NBA asked the New York Supreme Court to dismiss a lawsuit by Warner Bros. Discovery, which was filed the previous month and alleged a breach of contract by the NBA over its rejection of the WBD deal in order to accept Amazon Prime Video’s offer. 

In September, both sides agreed to an “expedited resolution” of the case with a trial set for April 2025 at the latest if the lawsuit against the NBA is not summarily dismissed.

There was also buzz about the “Inside the NBA” crew recreating the famed studio show on another network.

However, Barkley shut down that idea over the summer and said he has an opt-out in his contract earlier this year

Johnson reportedly intends to stay with TNT.

O’Neal, who became the president of Reebok basketball in October 2023, has yet to divulge his future plans. He joined TNT after his NBA retirement in 2011.

The “Inside the NBA” crew returns to the airwaves for special coverage of NBA opening night when the Celtics host the Knicks on Oct. 22.

TNT will tape a live show at City Hall Plaza, with special performances by Shaboozey and Benson Boone.

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