The NBA is on the verge of finalizing its new media rights deal. As a result, a total of $76 billion could be added to the league's books over the next several years in a deal that involves ESPN, NBC, and Amazon. For weeks, the discussion surrounding the NBA's new media deals has revolved around Warner Bros. Discovery being left out despite having a partnership with the league since 1989. The reason this is such a big deal is because Warner is the parent company of Turner Sports, which operates the NBA on TNT and the beloved Inside the NBA with Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny “The Jet” Smith, and Charles Barkley.

Although much noise has been made about Inside the NBA coming to an end as a result of the NBA's partnership with Warner falling apart amid the new media rights deal, it appears as if things could be trending in a different direction. Warner Bros. Discovery has not given up on their pursuit of a new deal with the NBA, and they are currently in negotiations with commissioner Adam Silver and the league on a possible fourth media-rights package, according to Front Office Sports.

While the NBA has been fixated on the three packages they've negotiated with ESPN, NBC, and Amazon, a fourth package could be appealing to them, especially with the money that would be in play. This smaller, fourth media package could include regular-season and some playoff games.

Creating a smaller media package may not be the worst idea for the NBA at this juncture, especially given all the discussion surrounding Inside the NBA. Basketball fans across the globe idolize Johnson, O'Neal, Smith, and Barkley. Their show has found so much success over the years, that many have deemed it the best sports show on television.

Silver and the league recognize the success Warner Bros. Discovery has had growing the NBA brand, which is why salvaging Inside the NBA is going to be at the forefront of both parties' minds in these negotiations. It is also worth mentioning that TNT also operates NBA TV and NBA.com, which could complicate things if the league were to end its longstanding run with the company.

The new media rights deal the NBA is set to close on is over the course of 11 years with ESPN, NBC, and Amazon. ESPN has the biggest package at $2.6 billion per year, which gives them exclusive rights to the NBA Finals, a conference final, weekly primetime games, the WNBA, and likely shared international rights, according to SBJ. The deal with NBC, which is valued at around $2.5 billion per year, brings the NBA back onto the network for the first time since 2002. This package will essentially be the same as what TNT has had through the years, as NBC will get two primetime windows a week, conference semifinals, and a conference final.

Amazon will be paying about $1.8 billion annually for the rights to the Emirates In-Season Tournament, the SoFi Play-In Tournament, first-round playoff games, the WNBA, and international rights.

A smaller package with fewer games included would obviously change Warner Bros. Discovery's approach to their NBA coverage, but it would ensure that Inside the NBA remains on TNT. This is ultimately the driving force behind staying involved with the NBA media deal.

There is always the possibility that Warner can also match offers from other new bidders in the media rights negotiations — NBC and Amazon. However, the NBA has not officially announced these new deals yet, meaning Warner is unable to match anything at this time. Their financial problems also raise a question of concern as to whether they would even be able to match deals from NBC and Amazon.

At this time, there is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding the future of the NBA on TNT and Inside the NBA. As the league draws near agreements with ESPN, NBC, and Amazon on new licensing agreements, the clock continues to tick for Warner Bros. Discovery. Their current deal with the league runs through the 2024-25 NBA season.

Whether or not the NBA agrees to a fourth, smaller media rights deal in order to salvage their relationship with Warner is yet to be seen.