In the biggest trade of the NBA offseason, ESPN acquired the license to “Inside The NBA” — not only the most popular and best NBA studio show, but arguably the best studio show in any sport.

After decades on TNT, Inside — including its talented cast and production team — will air on ESPN, starting with tonight’s season opener, then throughout the season, especially on ESPN’s most prominent NBA dates: Christmas, after football season and the playoffs.

The Athletic’s Dan Shanoff asked Andrew Marchand and Richard Deitsch about the show’s new home and its relationship with ESPN:

ESPN has tried for years to replicate the rollicking chemistry of Inside. How will Inside’s vibe fit with ESPN’s more buttoned-up energy?

Deitsch: Strike me down for saying this, but I believe media management here. It makes zero business sense for ESPN to acquire “Inside The NBA” with the end goal of changing the product into some sort of zombie version of the show.

ESPN president of content Burke Magnus told me two months ago: “(Fans are) going to get the show they love in a way that’s very similar to the way it’s always been. It’s still produced in Atlanta by the very same people that produced it for Turner. It’s in their building. Other than a logo on the set, it’s going to appear the same, and that’s exactly what we want.”

I think the content of the show will be the same. The only question is how long Inside’s post-game show will roll in the ESPN era, and ESPN executives have said they have enough forums where they can extend the postgame deep into the night.

Marchand: While I agree with Richard, I do believe people (bots!), at least on social media, will find something. If I had to guess what it is, it will be in the second half of the season, when games are on ABC, the show will sometimes extend onto the ESPN app. That may roil some folks, but that’s the point. ESPN wants you to use its app and if you are upset enough about a show not just continuing on a channel, you will probably be more willing to download and try the app. The friction will be the point.

Like ESPN’s deal with Pat McAfee’s weekday show, this is a license, meaning Inside retains its autonomy to operate how it wants. McAfee takes full advantage of that — will the Inside crew?

Deitsch: Unquestionably. I have a suspicion/theory/premonition that the Inside crew is going to push the envelope early to make it very clear they have autonomy within the larger ESPN ecosystem. It would be very good television, in fact, if the Inside crew mocked being on ESPN. McAfee benefits from having the highest levels of ESPN management publicly backing him at every turn and that will be the same for Inside.

Marchand: I do think that is a good bet that the Inside crew will want to show who is boss. Charles Barkley has made so many statements about what was next that it is hard to believe that they won’t lead with that. The show is more variety show than NBA program so they are going to lead with their personalities. Ernie Johnson will rein it in, and it is why he’s one of the best sports hosts ever.

For many years, Stephen A. Smith has been ESPN’s leading NBA personality, and now he’s effectively bumped aside by the Inside team — what could happen to make that awkward?

Deitsch: I find Smith to be relentlessly negative when it comes to the NBA — and that’s always been a turnoff for me as a pro basketball viewer. It’s a blame-first ethos, and it’s exhausting. The combat that appeals for those who watch First Take — at least in my eyes — has a negative impact on a pregame or postgame show. Smith will still have a massive NBA presence when Inside is not on, and he has a million avenues to offer commentary. It’s not going to be an issue. I’d guess you’ll see a walk-on during the NBA Finals, but I’d advise not doing that.

Marchand: Stephen A. has smartly welcomed in Barkley, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal and Johnson to ESPN. The mistake would be trying to incorporate Smith or anyone else into the show. But think about how high Stephen A.’s star has risen that he is considered on par, if not higher, than the program in the media galaxy? But with money and fame often comes neediness. If Stephen A. doesn’t feel like he has enough or if ESPN tries to foist Stephen A. on Inside, that would be a mistake. The same way it was a mistake that ESPN showed Stephen A. arriving to the arena as if he were a player.

What would be your advice for ESPN executives to maximize being the home of NBA fans’ most respected and beloved TV show?

Deitsch: Simple. Stay the (heck) out of the way.

Marchand: That about covers it. It is not complicated, and I think ESPN executives are smart enough to realize: You don’t do a deal for Inside the NBA to make it different. As part of the deal with Turner, ESPN only gave up some ESPN+-level college football and basketball games. It’s an amazing transaction for the network, even if the rank-and-file NBA folks may not like it. ESPN could not beat Inside for all the years, so they just dealt for it. It will make their coverage feel bigger, and all ESPN needs to do is roll the ball out onto the court.