Knicks Ex Mark Jackson Talks Next Move, Doc Rivers After ESPN Exit

No one knows where that man will be going next, but Mark Jackson is confident it'll be a prosperous destination.

The former New York Knicks point guard is a free agent once more after ESPN's shake-up of its NBA broadcasting lineup. Jackson had been a part of the Worldwide Leader's top group since 2007 alongside Jeff Van Gundy and play-by-play man Mike Breen, calling every edition of the NBA Finals with them on ABC since 2007 (with the exception of 2012-13, when Jackson was the head coach of the Golden State Warriors). Breen will continue to call ABC/ESPN's biggest games but Doris Burke and Doc Rivers have replaced Jackson and Van Gundy as his analysts after a series of layoffs at the renowned sports network.

Save for a grateful farewell on his social media channels, Jackson hadn't spoken about his departure from Bristol until TMZ caught up with him over the weekend. Carrying on his optimism on display in his final address, Jackson said that he hasn't found a new broadcasting home yet but said it'll undoubtedly become the best move of his multi-faceted career.

"It's going to work out," Jackson said. "(I'm) figuring it out now. But the next move will be my best move. (I'm) excited about what God has for me,"

Jackson, the 1988 NBA Rookie of the Year, has been involved in broadcasting since a 17-year playing career ended in 2004. Prior to his work with ABC/ESPN, Jackson started off calling New Jersey Nets games on YES Network.

His seat on ESPN will now be occupied by a fellow former Knick, as Rivers returns to broadcasting after spending the last three years as the head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers. Jackson said that he spoke with Rivers about the switch recently and that he holds no ill will toward the 2008 champion.

"I wish Doc nothing but the best," Jackson told TMZ. "He's a Hall of Fame coach, a tremendous guy. He'll be great."

The Knicks will be no strangers to the revamped ESPN crew this season: the newly-released 2023-24 NBA schedule places New York on the ESPN family of networks 13 times, including three occasions on broadcast network ABC. The first lands on opening night as the Knicks will host the Boston Celtics on ESPN.

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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