If you recall back to when this latest chapter of the saga started, it was somewhat dubious how the NBA came to be negotiating for the Maloofs. While the public statements were made to indicate the Maloofs "requested" the NBA to negotiate for them, it was in fact a takeover move by the NBA. It all happened when the NBA was taking over marketing for the Kings as the Maloofs showed themselves to be either neglecting or intentionally sabotaging the sponsorship market. To me and every other rational person this was obvious, but in order to let the Maloofs save face (and not totally poison their relationship to the fans), they made it appear as though they brought the NBA in to go to bat for them. In reality, the NBA was taking the reins because there were no signs that the Maloofs did indeed want to stay.
Not sure if the NBA foresaw (can't imagine they wouldn't) the current scenario where they negotiate a damn good deal for the Kings, one I'm sure that passes every measure of acceptability -- I don't believe for a second that, according to the Maloofs, "many" owners came up to them and said don't take the deal, it's crazy etc. -- only to have it blown up by George. But if they did, I'm sure they're thinking several steps ahead.
What this process is likely all about is basically flushing out any excuses for the Maloofs to leave town. The NBA needs solid evidence they they were sabotaging, etc., and the rejection of a solid deal is just another check mark in that column. It's just cutting off another avenue of exit for the Maloofs. While I think they were of course hoping the Maloofs took the deal I'd be shocked to find out it took the NBA off guard when they blew it up.
I doubt the NBA has the authority to force them to take/make a deal, but that it's gotten to this point is still a good step. What remains clear though, is that the "concerns" (what a butchering of the term) the Maloofs had are absolute deal breakers, and everybody knows that. It's just not out in the open and mutually acknowledged. No collateral of the refi loan??? That's just a joke. The NBA, not being stupid, of COURSE were aware of these "redlined" concerns, long ago. But were maybe just hoping that the Maloofs wouldn't hold fast to them, killing the deal. In all likelihood, since they in the first place had to essentially step in and babysit the Maloofs away from a total sabotage of the market, they anticipated it would come to this, and that the Maloofs would demand to be lead negotiators once again. Now however, there is this deal in place. It has motivated the city to come up with the money, motivated AEG, and provides a template for the Maloofs working something out with the City.
I guess depending on how reasonable/unreasonable Georgie is going forward, we'll find out who's really got the power. If he continues with the deal killing demands... at this point he's just hemming himself in, because there's no way the BOG approves a move after an NBA negotiated (and darn good) deal was on the table, especially with terms that are better than what they agreed to in Anaheim. And maybe that was the goal of the NBA, just negotiate a deal that is better than what they already agreed to in Anaheim so they can make that argument to the BOG if/when Georgie tries to head for the orange groves once more. Which, basically just gives all the other owners enough reason to shoot them down. Shooting them down just to protect Jerry Buss is not enough when weighed against an owner's purported right to do what's best for his investment. Shooting them down because they are sabotaging a market and blowing up a sweetheart arena deal is.
