NBA fans react to Brian Windhorst's potential ascension to top ESPN role: "Woj Bomb? Nah we 'Breaking Wind'"
Longtime NBA insider Brian Windhorst could very well be the potential candidate to replace Adrian Wojnarowski as ESPN's lead insider in the wake of Woj's surprising retirement from news coverage.
While the expectation has been that either Shams Charania of The Athletic or Chris Haynes of TNT would be Wojnarowski's replacement, media insiders believe Windhorst could fill the role.
According to a report from Front Office Sports on Friday, Windhorst, who has long been one of ESPN's most recognizable sources when it comes to NBA news, could be the natural successor.
According to a report from Michael McCarthy, the departure of Adrian Wojnarowski could pave the way for Brian Windhorst to step into the spotlight. While he has been a staple of ESPN's NBA coverage and has covered some of the biggest stories for more than a decade, Woj has been ESPN's go-to insider.
The NBA community was quick to react to the news.
"Woj Bomb? Nah we “Breaking Wind”" - One joked
"Wind bombs" - Another added
"Windhorst for 2025 MIP" - One wrote
Others also weighed in on the news, with Brian Windhorst potentially stepping in as Adrian Wojnarowski's replacement.
"Out of the ESPN guys, Windy is goated" - One wrote
"Wind Storms are coming" - Another joked
"Windy finally getting the recognition he deserves" - One added
Looking at other potential replacements for Adrian Wojnarowski on ESPN besides Brian Windhorst
Leading up to Friday's report about Brian Windhorst potentially stepping into the spotlight and replacing Adrian Wojnarowski as ESPN's main NBA insider, the expectation has been that either Shams Charania or Chris Haynes would replace Woj.
In the case of Shams, many view him as the natural successor to Woj given that the two have been battling it out for the edge on breaking news stories for years now. From draft night coverage to the biggest offseason moves, Shams and Woj have been viewed as the top two NBA insiders.
At the same time, given that Shams was once Wojnarowski's protegé, it seems likely that ESPN would target him as a potential replacement. Despite that, Shams' coverage is primarily online, save for the occasional FanDuel TV appearance or cable TV appearance.
That's where Brian Windhorst seems to have the edge. For over a decade now, Windhorst has been breaking news and covering the NBA on TV, which could be viewed as a plus by ESPN.
Similarly, TNT insider Chris Haynes is also believed to be a frontrunner to replace Wojnarowski. Outside of Shams and Woj, Haynes is widely considered one of the most knowledgeable insiders in the sport.
In addition, much like Brian Windhorst, he frequently makes appearances on TNT, which could be an advantage for ESPN over Shams Charania. With the 2024-25 NBA season right around the corner, it will be interesting to see how ESPN handles the situation.