Former NBA player Kenny Smith earns more in one year than he did in his entire career as a professional basketball player.

Kenny Smith, a native of New York and a former NBA player, is now a host for TNT. Alongside other former players, Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley, he shares his expertise and insights on the NBA. Despite not earning as much money as his co-hosts during his playing days, Smith has found success as an analyst, making more in one year than he did in his entire career as a player.

As reported by Essentially Sports, Smith's current salary as a broadcaster for NBA on TNT is $16 million a year. During his time in the NBA, he played for 10 seasons and won two championships with the Houston Rockets in 1994 and 1995. He began his career with the Sacramento Kings before joining the Atlanta Hawks and eventually finding success with the Rockets. He then went on to play for the Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, and Denver Nuggets, where he ultimately retired from the sport.

In an interview with Houstonia magazine, Smith opened up about his transition from playing to broadcasting. He explained that retirement became a necessary decision when he was constantly uprooting his family and moving to different cities for one-year contracts. It wasn't until a producer at TNT noticed his skills during a segment and encouraged him to pursue broadcasting that he found his new career path. And now, more than 20 years later, he is still thriving in the industry.

Smith was the first of the current and former NBA players to join the TNT team, working alongside Ernie Johnson Jr. on Inside the NBA in 1998. Barkley joined in 2000, followed by Shaq in 2011, completing the dynamic quartet. And just two years ago, the network signed all four men to long-term contracts, ensuring that the crew will stay together for many more years to come.

The announcement of their contract extensions was met with excitement and enthusiasm, with the NBA on TNT Twitter account sharing the news and welcoming back "the fellas." This solidified the team's strong bond and chemistry, which has become a defining factor of their show. As they continue to entertain and inform viewers with their unique perspectives, they have also paved the way for other former players, such as WNBA player Candace Parker, to make successful transitions into broadcasting after retirement.

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