Stephen A. Smith speaks out on former debate partner Skip Bayless amid harassment lawsuit and $1.5 million claim by hairstylist

Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless changed sports television with their collaboration on ESPN's First Take from 2012 to 2016. Despite being away from each other for almost a decade, Smith seemingly defended his former debate partner amid a recent lawsuit against Bayless and other Fox Sports members.

On Monday's episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, the eccentric NBA analyst reacted to the lawsuit filed by a former Fox Sports hairstylist against Bayless, Joy Taylor and other network executives. The former Undisputed co-host allegedly offered the plaintiff $1.5 million to have intercourse with him.

While Smith doesn't want to get involved with the issue, he admitted that it's hard to believe that Bayless did such a thing from his point of view. He explained how cheap the former ESPN and Fox Sports analyst was in real life.

"I can't imagine it, especially when they brought up the half million dollars," Smith said. "The Skip Bayless I know has a hard time giving away $15. He's one of the cheapest people I know. That's just me.

"But that doesn't mean that I have any inside knowledge about any of this. I don't. I don't and I'm not going to get involved."

From 6:39 onward:

Skip Bayless left Fox Sports back in August, focusing on his YouTube channel called The Skip Bayless Show. Bayless uploaded a new episode on Monday, less than 24 hours after details about the lawsuit were shared online. However, he didn't mention anything about it and didn't even acknowledge the controversy surrounding the issue.

Fox Sports has already released a statement regarding the lawsuit, telling multiple outlets that they are taking it seriously and investigating the allegations.

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Stephen A. Smith not buying LeBron James' claims about his future

Stephen A. Smith not buying LeBron James' claims about his future. (Photo: IMAGN)

From Skip Bayless, Stephen A. Smith switched the conversation to his "arch nemesis" LeBron James. The analyst shared that he doesn't believe the LA Lakers superstar's recent claims about the future of his career. James claimed after turning 40 on Dec. 30 that he could play at a high level for five to seven more years.

While James clarified that he's not planning on doing it, Smith still made his feelings known about "The King" and his future on a recent episode of ESPN's First Take.

"I'm not buying that he's going to stay an other five years," Smith said. "I could see another three and trying to get his son Bryce into the NBA."

James' first son, Bronny James, is already in the NBA and is teammates with him on the LA Lakers. Bryce James is in his senior year of high school at Sierra Canyon. Bryce already committed to playing for the Arizona Wildcats, which means he's eligible to get drafted in 2026.