The Golden State Warriors are for sale and Oracle Corp CEO Larry Ellison has already made it known he wants to buy the team.

The Warriors said Monday they have hired Galatioto Sports Partners, or GSP, to handle current owner Chris Cohan's sale of the franchise and that the company would serve as the Warriors' exclusive financial adviser throughout the process.

For the basketball-crazy East Bay, this news couldn't have come soon enough. Fans know what the atmosphere can be for this franchise: electric, just like it was for the team's rare playoff run in 2007.

Supporters still turn out by the thousands for Golden State's games even if the performances have often been rather depressing.

Coach Don Nelson said Monday he doesn't expect to be around long under new ownership.

"I'm 70 years old. I have one more year now and then I'm going to retire," he said before Golden State's home game against Phoenix. "I have a year left on my contract. I'm going to fulfill my contract. What happens, happens."

Nelson said before this season began he would donate a year of service to the franchise free of charge as a way to repay Cohan - but that has changed.

While Cohan hadn't given any indication he planned to put the franchise up for sale right away, there had been thinking he would certainly listen if an incredible offer was made.