Stephen A. Smith said Tuesday he asked to come off ESPN’s “NBA Countdown,” pushing back on headlines suggesting he was yanked from the show after the network unveiled a revamped cast Monday.

Smith posted a video reaction on X late Tuesday and elaborated on his SiriusXM program that stepping away was negotiated last year, citing workload and late nights in studio. (RELATED: Stephen A. Smith Rips Democrats For Only Caring About Epstein Files Under Trump)

“It was decided at that particular moment in time that I wouldn’t be doing ‘NBA Countdown’ anymore because I didn’t want to… I didn’t want to be stuck in studio until midnight. No shade against ESPN, no shade against my wonderful colleagues.”

My reaction to the NBA Countdown “news”

Full video: https://t.co/iOcjHtzo6V pic.twitter.com/4RwEZNIxW8

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) November 18, 2025

ESPN’s new-look “NBA Countdown” debuts Wednesday with host Malika Andrews, analysts Kendrick Perkins and former Nuggets coach Michael Malone, and reporters Brian Windhorst and Shams Charania, the network said in a press release.

Smith, 58, framed the move as a reallocation of time toward “First Take” and his SiriusXM ventures, adding he’s already been popping up on “Monday Night Countdown.” He stressed he remains available to pitch in on NBA coverage when needed and even has contractual days to do it.

“This story is a non-story,” Smith said of the chatter over his absence from the NBA pregame set. “It was always my intent to come off. It’s something I negotiated… ‘Oh my God, this just happened, and he’s being yanked off the show!’ No, it didn’t happen like that.”

Smith also tipped his cap to Turner’s “Inside the NBA” crew — Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal and Ernie Johnson — calling them “the A-team.”