It appears the question of where the Kings will be playing next season and beyond has finally been resolved. Vivek Ranadive and his group of Sacramento-based investors this week reached a deal to buy the majority stake in the team from the Maloof family, months after a Chris Hansen-led Seattle group had done the same. The deal with Seattle fell apart as the California capital mounted a furious charge to keep its team in town. Despite pushbacks from Hansen and deep-pocketed partner Steve Ballmer, the NBA's relocation committee made a final recommendation this week that the team's request to move to Seattle be denied. In turn, the Board of Governors voted against the Seattle move, setting up Ranadive's agreement with the Maloofs.
We're still waiting for the Board of Governors to approve the sale of the team to the Ranadive group, but that appears to be a formality at this point. While the Kings saga made plenty of headlines, it wasn't the only significant happening this week:
- The Hawks reportedly interviewed Stan Van Gundy, but then we heard the former Magic coach is unlikely to return to the bench this season. The Hawks may break barriers and go with CSKA Moscow coach Ettore Messina instead.
- Atlanta also interviewed Nate McMillan, while Larry Drew, still technically employed as coach of the Hawks, will meet with the Bucks on Monday.
- Jerry Sloan also met with Milwaukee about the team's coaching vacancy, but the Hall-of-Famer doesn't want the job.
- The Clippers haven't ruled out retaining coach Vinny Del Negro, who'll sit down with owner Donald Sterling this weekend to determine the fate of his job.
- The Pacers and assistant coach Brian Shaw will be in the playoffs for a while longer, but once they're done, he'll interview with the Pistons for their head coaching job.
- Celtics coach Doc Rivers isn't going anywhere, according to Danny Ainge.
- We'll know by Monday whether Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo is in or out. If Colangelo isn't back, Nuggets GM Masai Ujiri may be the man to replace him.
- The Sixers made it official, introducing Sam Hinkie as their new GM.
- There were rumors that Sixers CEO Adam Aron could be stripped of his responsibilities in the team's basketball department, but it's unclear whether that will happen.
- Thunder GM Sam Presti doesn't plan to use the amnesty clause to get rid of Kendrick Perkins.
- The Bobcats are in the process of changing their name to the Hornets, now that the team in New Orleans is known as the Pelicans.
- The Lakers and Hawks might be trying to trade their way into the lottery.
- The Blazers are already in line for a lottery pick, but they're thinking about trying to move up to take Victor Oladipo.
- One of the players Portland could trade away is former second-round pick Kostas Papanikolaou, who is drawing interest from the Spurs, Mavericks, and Knicks, among others.
- No surprises here, but Charlie Villanueva exercised his lucrative option to remain with the Pistons, as did Aaron Gray and Linas Kleiza of the Raptors.
- The Bulls get to call the shots on Richard Hamilton's return to Chicago for next season, and it's likely they'll part ways.
- The same appears to be the case for Francisco Garcia, as the Rockets are expected to turn down his option.
- Chris Copeland will be seeking a raise after his impressive rookie season with the Knicks.
- Gani Lawal has appeared in just one NBA game, but that number might be going up soon, with the Pacers, Raptors and Magic scheduled to work him out.
- Cuttino Mobley has a much longer NBA resume, and he wants back in the league, too.
- We'll probably be hearing plenty about Andrew Wiggins this time next year, and in the meantime, the projected 2014 No. 1 pick will head to Kansas to play college ball.
- Following his dismissal earlier this year as executive director, Billy Hunter is filing suit against the union and its president, Derek Fisher.
- The NBA announced its All-Rookie and All-Defensive teams.