It seems Tim Kiely may just be the answer to Charles Barkley‘s question of what’s next for TNT. The former Philadelphia 76ers star has now been with the network for over two decades. It’s no secret that the camaraderie and insights from the Inside the NBA crew — Barkley, Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith — have been the essence of basketball coverage on TNT. But now with TNT losing its NBA rights and the league going ahead with Disney, NBC, and Amazon with an 11-year deal, the very essence of TNT’s basketball coverage is in danger.

Yes, the network has gone through a legal battle with the NBA for not honoring a clause in their contract that reportedly granted them rights if they matched Amazon’s offer, which they did. But the hope for TNT’s future with the NBA looks thinner than a strand of hair. No wonder Charles Barkley has undergone different moods and thus different statements.

While he announced complete retirement at one point, rumors of him considering other networks later surfaced. Having denied all such rumors, the most recent stance from Chuck has been that he’ll stick with the network. But how will the network ensure that Chuck’s mindset doesn’t again fluctuate from what it is now? Well, that’s where Tim Kiely’s role comes into play. The fans who have followed Inside the NBA to the core might know who exactly Kiely is.

For those who are not aware, TK joined TNT even 5 years before Charles Barkley landed on the show. And he was the producer of Inside the NBA from 1995 to 2023. However, he retired last year amid much love and emotions from Chuck, Shaq, Johnson, and Smith. “The worst thing about it. Who am I going to drink with now? It’s just sad. You’re my drinking buddy” — Chuck’s words at the time of TK’s farewell to TNT reflect how close the 11x All-Star became to Tim. Well, now Barkley has got his drinking buddy back.

But more importantly, it’s obvious that TNT won’t be calling such a significant entity just after 1 year of his retirement for nothing. Yes, the network made the announcement through all of its social media handles. And Charles Barkley commenting, “Let’s have some fun,” on the IG post making the announcement makes it clear that he is already in an upbeat mood. But that’s just one part of why Kiely’s return can ease Chuck’s worries regarding TNT.

Why is Tim Kiely’s return to TNT such a significant move?

TK played a major role in shaping what Inside the NBA at present looks like. Whether it be the format or the crew itself. Yes, not only did he produce the show but also brought in Kenny Smith in 1998, Charles Barkley in 2000, and Shaquille O’Neal in 2011. But now, with TNT losing its NBA rights, it’s just a matter of time that the network may have to stick around with a general sports show.

Meanwhile, some other rumors suggest Inside the NBA could move to a different network. But as long as Kiely is with TNT, the network can always trust his expertise to pull out something that can be game-changing. After all, it was his brilliant mind that suggested the idea of taking Inside the NBA ahead without teleprompters and scripts. Breaking the usual standards of media gave the audience something fresh to hook to. And also gave the crew of the show to be their own self.

This low-key unfiltered format became the USP of Inside the NBA. And fans just couldn’t get enough of the camaraderie between Charles Barkley and other members of the crew. The testament to this lies in the success of the show. Not only has Inside the NBA recently completed its 35 years, but earned multiple accolades during that time. This includes 21 Sports Emmys. The show also became the first one ever to win the Naismith Memorial Basketball HOF’s Curt Gowdy Transformative Media Award.

Now, there is no doubt that Chuck, Shaq, Ernie, and Kenny have been the faces of this success. But there is also no denying that Kiely remained the brain behind it all. “This is why we are the way we are because he (Tim) is the architect of this…” Smith’s statement back in 2023 was a testament to this notion. Yes, Inside The NBA is surrounded by clouds of uncertainty. And yes, Charles Barkley may have had his share of doubts about the future.

But if the past record of Tim Kieley is any indicator, he will most likely be able to create wonders for TNT in his new position as Vice President and Executive Producer of NBA Studio Production. Now this can include breathing a new life in Inside the NBA or moving ahead with a new show but same faces and the same brain behind these faces. But from what the recent IG post by TNT indicates, Charles Barkley’s concerns about the future with TNT already seem to be under control.