… and, by the way, it looks like the Maloof won't sell outright to Ron Burkle, Great Champion. I don't blame them, really. They have an asset they find very valuable, and they don't want to give it up. Whatever, It's yours. But the NBA has an interest here … a real interest. Ron Burkle is not only a billionaire, but beyond even that he is a Very Important Person. He raised a million bucks for Hillary Clinton. He saved the Pittsburgh Penguins, a team and location he didn't have any apparent ties to. He rubs elbows with people who matter, because he is a person who matters. The NBA would embrace him like a two-year-old embraces a teddy bear. "Burkly!"

So the NBA has an interest here, and some power. I pitched this on Twitter, but let's throw it out in digital ink that's a bit more permanent.

Results: New Orleans has a franchise whose future depends on whether a good lease can be worked out. Sacramento has a gym and a franchise. Anaheim remains a back-up for the next NBA franchise on the move.

Right now, two NBA markets — Sacramento and New Orleans — are in terrible danger. With a deal like this, you can save one certainly, and potentially both. The devil is dryhumping the details, I know. It's incredibly tricky. But it's something that is at least worth pursuing, right?

Right?