Dwyane Wade is the biggest free agent in NBA broadcasting, and he could be the top target for a potential ABC/ESPN “NBA Countdown” shakeup.
What is already certain is both ESPN and TNT are courting Wade, sources have told The Post. The two networks are preparing pitches for the just-retired Wade to be a studio analyst later in the current playoffs.
Wade has worked ABC/ESPN’s playoff coverage in the past, but it is not clear yet if he would want to be a full-time analyst in his post-playing career.
ABC/ESPN could make over its prime-time pregame show, “NBA Countdown,” for next year or just do some small revisions.
There are factions in Bristol not enamored with the program’s host, Michelle Beadle, according to sources, but she is under a big-money contract, and so it is unclear if ESPN would make a change that would leave her without a defined role.
Maria Taylor and Rachel Nichols are considered potential replacements if ABC/ESPN made the bold move.
On the analyst side, ESPN is always compared to TNT’s legendary “Inside the NBA” team of Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal.
Its regular-season “NBA Countdown” first team was Paul Pierce, Jalen Rose and Chauncey Billups. Pierce made his most noise of the season when he said his career should be considered better than that of Wade.
While Pierce was mocked, he did make a salient point that teammates can affect how a career is perceived in the hot-take social media world.
Rose is a grinder, with significant roles on “Countdown,” “Get Up!” and his own radio show, “Jalen & Jacoby,” with co-host David Jacoby. Rose may be spread a little thin since he is on incessantly.
Meanwhile, Billups may be best on games, where he did well with play-by-player Ryan Ruocco during the first round. Billups also has been linked to a top front-office job with the Timberwolves.
With Billups out of studio to begin Round 1, ESPN shifted Stan Van Gundy into Billups’ seat. Van Gundy is outspoken and can serve as a lightning rod. He continues to show personality on his regular appearances on Dan Le Batard’s radio show.
Van Gundy is another potential name to watch if there is a “Countdown” shuffle.
ESPN also could look to add more information with Adrian Wojnarowski or go for more bombast with Stephen A. Smith.
On first glance, Turner would not have a spot for Wade. While “Inside the NBA” is at the top of its field, it has been around a long time.
If Barkley, 56, is true to his word and really does retire at 60, then Turner could be creative in bringing Wade onto its roster and carving out whatever type of role that Wade would want. Plus, the flight to Atlanta from Wade’s Miami home is an easy one.
Wade and his wife, actress Gabrielle Union, also have a home in Los Angeles, which would be a short commute for “Countdown.”
Retired NBA stars have consistently shown more interest in TV work than any other major sport, from Magic Johnson to Barkley to O’Neal. Wade could be next.
Aaaaaaaaand … Chris Russo has signed a new four-year deal with SiriusXM to do his radio show on the channel that bears his “Mad Dog” nickname. For those without SiriusXM, they can hear a podcast of his show on Pandora. As part of a release, Russo said: “Oh baby! Four more years, and I couldn’t be happier!”
75 & going for more: There was some industry scuttlebutt that 75-year-old Jimmy Johnson might do Fox’s “NFL Sunday” pregame show this season and then call it a television career after Fox gets the Super Bowl in January in his hometown of Miami.
Nope. Sources have told The Post that Johnson has signed a two-year deal to continue on “NFL Sunday.” Fox will continue to make it easy on Johnson, who usually jets out after the noon-to-1 p.m. show and heads back to Miami.
This allows Tony Gonzalez to have extended minutes on set throughout the day and into Fox’s postgame show, “The OT.”
Rebecca Lowe, NBC studio lead on Premiere League coverage, will co-host the Kentucky Derby for the network.