I dunno it seems to me it has exceeded expectations, players seem to like it, there's some fan interest, and the weirdest thing about it - that these are all regular-season games as well except for the championship - also means if you don't care there's no reason to notice it exists except for the ugly courts.
And schedule-wise, the East's 1, 2, 5 and 6 teams made it so the Sixers won't necessarily get an easier replacement on paper (if they play Miami or Orlando or even the 8-11 teams). Just don't have to play the Bucks or Celtics (or Knicks or Pacers too). Schedule and travel and home court is going to be the main factor but I assume they'll try to make it so the two games are balanced somehow. Unlikely any team would actually try to tank the tournament so they don't have to play the Bucks. Most players probably still want a shot at that $500K too, even if it's peanuts.
And I'd say it's definitely going to make the games on a Monday and Tuesday in December more interesting. Casual fans don't watch the NBA during football season and I rarely watch teams other than the Sixers ever but I'll probably tune in.
