ESPN has kept its cards close to the chest regarding Skip Bayless's future with the network, but Kendrick Perkins may have just tipped the hand. The former NBA center turned analyst hinted that Bayless's recent appearance on First Take might not be the one-off reunion the network has been promoting.
Bayless made a highly publicized return to First Take on Friday, reuniting with his old debate partner Stephen A. Smith. The event was marketed as a single-episode reunion, and ESPN shared behind-the-scenes photos of the two together after the show. But Perkins, in a post on X, may have let the cat out of the bag.
“Damn good show,” Perkins wrote. “Didn’t agree with Skip on some of the debates but he’s definitely a needle mover!!! I’m pretty sure it won’t be his last.”
The comment suggests that ESPN may have bigger plans for Bayless than originally advertised, possibly turning the reunion into a recurring segment or a more permanent role. Perkins, trying to compliment the network, inadvertently revealed that Bayless is likely to return for more episodes.
Bayless didn't waste his time on the show, going after his favorite target: LeBron James. He called James “the most mentally fragile superstar I have ever closely observed” and claimed the Lakers star lacks a “clutch gene.” Bayless also ranked James as the No. 9 all-time player, a take that sparked immediate backlash from fans and analysts alike.
For a deeper dive into the rankings that have fans fuming, check out the full list of legends Bayless placed ahead of LeBron.
The reunion itself was a ratings bonanza, generating buzz across social media. Many in the sports media world roasted the spectacle, but the numbers don't lie—Bayless knows how to drive clicks. The hot take reunion was widely criticized, yet it clearly succeeded in drawing attention.
Perkins's slip could mean ESPN is testing the waters for a more permanent return of Bayless, who left the network in 2016 to become the face of FS1's Undisputed. Bayless's chemistry with Smith was a key factor in First Take's rise, and the network may be looking to recapture that magic.
ESPN has yet to comment on Perkins's prediction, but if his hint proves accurate, fans can expect more explosive debates between Smith and Bayless in the near future.
