There has been no shortage of rumors over the past week about the future of the Sacramento Kings, whose owners the Maloof family are deciding whether or not to sell the team, and whether to do so with a Seattle group or one that will keep the team in Sacramento. Here's our post on all of the rumors on the subject from yesterday, which will continue to pour in today.
- Aaron Bruski of NBCSports.com writes that the Kings' arena proposal is “a model offer of public funds,” citing sources. He adds that if Sacramento's offer to buy the team from the Maloofs is comparable to that of the Seattle group, David Stern would have considerable power to force their hand in taking the former.
- Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com breaks down the Kings' chances to stay in Sacramento in a Sulia post. He writes that, contrary to previous reports, the Maloofs do not have a handshake agreement in place with the Chris Hansen-led group that would move the team to Seattle.
- Howard-Cooper writes that the Maloofs have not closed off talks with potential buyers outside of the Hansen group, an encouraging sign for those hoping to keep the Kings in Sacramento. Sacramento officials are still mobilizing, but there is a sense that the city has a "legitimate shot" at keeping their team.
- Howard-Cooper cautions that the wild card in these negotiations is the family dynamic of the Maloofs, who would almost certainly be out of the NBA for good if they sold the Kings. He notes that previous rumors about the Maloofs wanting to retain some kind of say in the running of the team after selling their majority stake are "laughable."