The firing of Lakers coach Mike Brown has been the story of the day, if not the week, in the NBA, but there are other relevant items around the Pacific Division today, believe it or not. Here's what's happening.
- Tom Ziller of Sactown Royalty believes the Kings' latest flirtation with Virginia Beach smacks of desperation, and says Anaheim is the most realistic destination if the Maloofs don't want to sell.
- If the Maloofs sell, Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson made his case to Sam Amick of USA Today that it should be to someone who keeps the Kings in town. "If somebody is going to pay an exorbitant price, and overpay, or do something very similar to what (Anaheim Ducks owner Henry) Samueli was going to do in Anaheim, if Chris Hansen is looking to do something like that, then that may be something that doesn't apply to us," Johnson said. "All things being considered, I would like to believe that (the Maloofs) have a change of heart and are willing to consider selling at a fair price and that they would give us a chance to keep the team here in Sacramento."
- In the same piece, Johnson said that the arena deal that the Kings and the city had seemingly agreed to in February is still on the table, as Amick notes.
- Jerry West appears comfortable in his advisory role with the Warriors, and exerted influence over the team's decision to trade Monta Ellis for Andrew Bogut and draft Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes, writes Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News.