It is, in my estimation, only a matter of time before the Kings franchise is renamed the Sonics, and comes to Seattle.
They will not fall from the sky, nor will we pull them from the ground, so I am reminded.
I care about the fans, here and there, but I’m here, not there, so there. The rest of the folks involved, I care measurably less about them in proportion to their actual involvement and position to Seattle getting a NBA franchise.
At this point Sacramento’s Kevin Johnson is doing everything he can, and yet, there is a little “playing for second” reality to the whole thing. He is doing the politician thing better than Greg Nickels did in Seattle, even though he is likely going to end up with the same result with the team leaving. Good for him.
Regardless, welcome to first in line for the next franchise or expansion team, Sacramento. Well done, you’ve earned it.
The team was sold, relocation papers filed, and if the NBA was going to do something then it would have happened months ago.
When the NBA “cares” it intervenes prior to action, not after. Action has happened. Did the Maloofs file for relocation to Anaheim? No, the NBA stopped them before the action, the $30 million dollar kind of action.
Did the Maloofs file for relocation to Seattle? Yes they did, done.
But, enough about you, enough. I now turn a blind eye now to that end, not because I don’t care, but because I do. The crash will be harsh and familiar.
I don’t read the Kings stuff, the twitter, the blogs, none. Other people bring it here for whatever reason. But those repeating tweets will fade soon enough.
Tomorrow, next week, no more talk about them for me. I’m done.
Thanks.
Moving on. . .
Michael Carter-Williams looks like a pretty good pick if Evans is going to be traded, and the Franchise stays around the 8th pick. I need more looks at him in action.
The franchise needs a second pick in the 1st round, later in the 1st, to pick up another front court player. If moving Evans brings back that pick, do it.
I was watching Kansas last night. I am wondering why a 6-5 SG is floating near the top of the draft. Ben McLemore has a great shooting touch, but, is he going to get taller or play PG? I have seen all of one game and maybe I will see something when they play this weekend.
Jeff Withey, for a “stiff” hanging around the other end of the 1st round doesn’t look to horrible. If the Franchise gets a late 1st rounder in trade, very late, Withey looks ok.
It just feels like the NBA has already made its decision and is already planning for NBA Ball in Seattle next season.
It sure does seem that way. Would love to hear some news over All Star weekend, but if we have to drag it out til mid April then I guess it is what it is. We’ve waited this long, we can surely wait a couple more months.
I like McLemore. I don’t know if he’s worthy of being the #1 pick, but he is one of the the most talented players in the draft and should go really high.
The only big I like is Nerlens Noel. He can affect the game without scoring.
Marcus Smart is just a winner, Trey Burke will run an offense from day one, Shabazz Muhammad will be a 18-22 ppg scorer, Victor Oladipo is just scratching the surface of what he can do.
As for Evans, can they trade his rights after the year since he’s a restricted FA? If not, you would have to trade him before the trading deadline, but I don’t think they’re going to let Petrie make any trades.
If you’re looking to trade Cousins in the offseason and are looking for a lottery pick, Phoenix makes sense.
I wonder if Jason Thompson has enough value to merit a mid to late 1st round pick.
John, we’d be dumb to take Nerlens Noel, actually anyone would. His best games have come against teams that put out a center that are shorter than him and weigh less than him and he still gets pushed around a lot. The kid is going to be eaten alive in the NBA and he’ll probably be one of those guys who bounces around 3-4 times after his rookie contract before he starts playing in Europe.
Baker, Kansas plays Texas this coming Saturday at 6PM on ESPN. Game thread?
John, if the Kings/Sonics wanted to trade Evans at the end of the year, it would have to be a sign & trade. That would then lower the number of teams he could be traded to, since teams over the tax won’t be able to accept S&T players.
They’d have to trade him now. I’d really like a mid to late first and a second rounder (stash a Euro kid) for him.
Then for the rest of the season *shudders* Marcus Thornton would have to start at SG.
An Evan’s trade would not bring back equal value, but he’s probably going to get a contract in the $40 million range. I doubt The Franchise wants to invest that much for him based on his last three seasons. He may come back to haunt us, but that’s OK.
The tab title of this post is “Good-bye Kings”. That kind of piling on is unnecessary.
Michael Carter Williams’ poor shooting worries me. He could end up being a very good defender, though.
Mclemore May end up disappointing whoever drafts him. I don’t think a 6’5″ shooting guard with such a weak handle should go top three, but Ben will.
If we can get a late first rounder, someone like Kyle Anderson would be an awesome pick up.
Withey just can’t happen. I see what you see, but the last thing this reborn franchise needs to do is risk drafting a 7 foot stiff in the first round. Been there done that about five times over.
At the moment, I think Marcus Smart is the way to go. Word from everyone is that he is an absolutely transcendent leader. That’s the kind of guy you want running the show.
Zeller
Len
Smart
Williams
Muhammad
One of those 5 would be acceptable. In my opinion, if we could land a big I would do it. Especially if Bledsoe could be available if he isnt traded before the deadline. Cousins gon, Evans gone, new PG, new Big and go from there and struggle which is inevitable even with Evans and Cousins.
I love Marcus Smart. He needs to get better finishing in traffic, he needs to tighten up his handle and needs better shot selection but you are right he just wills his team to win.
I watched the game against Kansas and he was bad for the first 35 mins of the game, but took over in the last 5 mins. he made steals, scored crucial baskets and critical rebounds
I’m a fan of his even though I don’t know if he will score consistently or efficiently but he has the work ethic to improve and take a giant leap during his NBA career.
Zeller and Len IMO scream busts. Len looks like your typical soft euro and Zeller I don’t know how high his ceiling is.
If there was any way to pry Bledsoe from te Clips you gotta do it IMO
I agree I think kings are coming to Seattle and I would feel more confident if there more news from the NBA by the allstar weekend as well.
@trolltossin, I agree.
I think saying Zeller is going to be a bust is taking this draft out of context. There isnt much if any star power in this draft. I think Zeller will be a solid player superstar no. There are a couple guys in this draft with superstar potential thats it. Honestly maybe the NBA scratches our back and gives us a top pick in the lottery (I’d rather have a top 2 pick in 2014). If we do get a guard or SF and can get in the late teens early twenties via trade I wouldnt mind getting Plumlee, CJ Leslie, or Jeff Withey.
Its doubtful that we will find a superstar in this draft. That is next years draft if you can get in the top 2 for Andrew Wiggins or Jabari Parker.
Here is a question for ya. If we get the #1 pick do we keep it or trade it??
McLemore is legit, and his height is not an issue. There are at least eight 6’5″ and under SGs with a PER above 15.0 this year: James Harden, Dwyane Wade, Eric Gordon, OJ Mayo, JJ Redick, Ray Allen, Monta Ellis, Ben Gordon.
BTW, I think the national guys are right that Utah may not re-sign either Jefferson or Millsap. You guys think trading Demarcus and going after one of those two is a good idea? I think Utah likes Favors and Kanter but they cant sit either Millsap or Jefferson while on their roster.
Reply to Trolltossin
I say keep the #1 pick option.
“The tab title of this post is “Good-bye Kings”. That kind of piling on is unnecessary.”
- It feels like people are feeling the need to be extra harsh (in the guise of “just being honest”) to help deal with what is going on to get the team. Not sure why that is necessary…but it is the only explanation I can see.
trolltossin:
I love the idea of trading the #1 pick if we were to get it, given the lack of star power in this year’s draft. There are always GM’s that fall in love with a certain player and you could certainly take advantage of that. Get a starter, a good 6th man, and a low 1st round pick to take a flyer on. Maybe a decent veteran for Cousins to learn from (if indeed he is capable of learning). Still scared of Cousins, not sure what to do with him.
As for all the comments about Cousins. While I have been the first to say that he is going to drive people nuts…I sure hope that people are expecting near an Andrew Bynum type return for Cousins if they plan on trading him.
It sure feels that people are acting as if Cousins is a bust and a guy you’d trade for pennies on the dollar…when he is probably one of the top five centers in the league and would be a junior in college right now. There is probably a better than 60/40 chance that you would regret a trade of Cousins.
Yeah Cousins is an enigma and whoever is control of player personnel will have to be trusted on what to do. Is he like that because he is playing for losing team consistently? Is it because he shouldnt be the go to guy and should be a 2nd option.
“Ditto for Denver’s rampant switching, a tactic they lean on even more when Professor Miller and his slow feet enter the game.6 Karl wants to re-create the glory days of his mid-1990s Seattle teams, which reinvented NBA defense by attacking offenses in unconventional ways. Gambling and switching are part of that, and Karl promises to do more switching as the season goes on. He’s even asked Iguodala and Miller about playing Julyan Stone, a long-armed and very tall guard, in key late-game defensive situations, and both have been receptive, he says. The goal is to create a lineup with as many athletic, similarly sized players as possible — a lineup that can switch like mad, chase steals, and cover for gambles. “When we are switching and really jumping around, it really reminds me of Seattle,” Karl says. “Most of the time, it’s the defense reacting to the offense. We want more possessions where the offense has to react to us.”"
http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8937394/are-george-karl-denver-nuggets-really-title-contenders
I loved the sonics 90s defense. Led the league in forced turnovers and it always jump started our offense.
“It sure feels that people are acting as if Cousins is a bust and a guy you’d trade for pennies on the dollar…when he is probably one of the top five centers in the league and would be a junior in college right now. There is probably a better than 60/40 chance that you would regret a trade of Cousins.”
I agree with you that there shouldn’t be a rush to move him, and certainly not for pennies on the dollar. The difficulty for me though is that while I think there is a strong chance you would regret trading Cousins, there is an equally strong chance you would regret paying him.
I agree Cousins needs some supporting teammates and help him out.I think he there would be improvement with more veteran support.
“The tab title of this post is “Good-bye Kings”. That kind of piling on is unnecessary.”
- It feels like people are feeling the need to be extra harsh (in the guise of “just being honest”) to help deal with what is going on to get the team. Not sure why that is necessary…but it is the only explanation I can see.
It’s funny, because I feel like people are being overly sensitive by caring what Sacramento fans think of them.
Yeah dont get the sensitivity towards Kings fans. If we were posting this type of stuf on Kings message boards that would be different.
I’m being extra harsh because I’m jaded. These Sac fans really think buying tickets will save their team. They also seem to gloss over the fact that the team was “stolen” from Kansas City, and before that taken from somewhere else. I stopped interacting with Sac people on twitter when they started getting WAY too personal. So, yeah, f**k ‘em. Good-bye Kings indeed. I see no problem being extra harsh on a Sonics blog.
Stuck in moderation. Basically. Good-bye Kings indeed. Wake up to the cold uncaring world Sac fans.
I really am saying goodbye to the Kings, the talk about their fans, and especially KJ.
Everytime KJ tweets it get posted on a Sonics site and gets digested. I’m not doing that for two more months, sorry if that is “harsh” or piling on, but, that’s what I see.
If you want to read about the plight of Sacramento, well, I’m not going to write about it. Maybe Brian wants to keep doing that, but I don’t find it any more “harsh, or “piling on” than just saying goodbye and moving on.
I would agree that it crosses my line of propriety. I think that anytime you start applying satire or sarcasm (or for that matter words that were intended to be serious but can be interpreted with satire or sarcasm) then it is a slipper slope. What one person finds “brusk” another finds insulting. Some find it funny and the bar starts to move to where we are most definitely “poking fun” in a way that is unnecessary. I’ve tried several times to be witty talking about Sacramento (“Here We Question???”) and each time felt afterword that it came across wrong.
My preference would be to avoid those things.
As I keep saying my comments on the Sacramento fans are for me and my own processing and understanding of the situation. Its not some big pity party or required remorse. If people don’t have the same need for conversation about it there are lots of other things to talk about and I am enjoying the variety.
YES. This is where I am at as well, lets start talking about the draft and the players on the team. I’ve had about my fill with all the spin coming from Ziller/Bruski/Carmichael Dave. Its the same stuff every day.
If we get top 3: I would want Mclemore or Shabazz Muhammed.
If not, Lets look at the point guards from syracuse or Michigan. Or if you want to go bigger, the kid from Oklahoma state.
Good bye Kings, hello Sonics
Am I going blind or crazy? Where does it say “goodbye kings”?
I think that what Mike meant by this was “Goodbye Kings (from our SonicsRising Discussion)” because he’s tired of it ready to talk about something else and just focus on basketball and Seattle. That is a totally different thing from “Goodbye Kings (your franchise isn’t going to exist in 3 months..HAHA” which would be a completely a swipe at them. Its harder to do these things without misinterpretation than people realize.
What about the Bennett Kid from UNLV?
I am personally more concerned about how the news goes this weekend. With reports that KJ is going to hit the ground running from the moment he arrives to the moment he leaves Houston for the All-Star weekend, I have a sinking feeling we are going to hear a lot more pro-SAC stuff vs. the Sonics are coming back-style reports. KJ’s “star” status will get him an audience with virtually any NBA scribe or media type or whatever, and you better believe he is going to be talking and running as fast as he can. And you know he is going to spin, spin, spin this thing in their favor in every possible way, in an effort to paint Sacramento as a victim in all this and that they should be able to match the existing offer and build sympathy towards their cause. As the SAC reporter said to Ian Furness on KJR yesterday, there’s still a lot of national media types who don’t know the whole story, so he is going to pile it on to anyone who will listen. So while the Marc Stein’s of the world say that things might be a lot more clear this All-Star weekend, I actually think the opposite will be true and instead we are going to get a ton of pro-SAC noise and still silence from the Hansen-Ballmer-Nordstrom camp! Even without KJ’s whale’s or a final arena plan, he will still make some major waves this weekend. It is all part of his strategy to build momentum towards his side of the fence in a “playing to win” mentality.
The important thing is to just turn a blind eye to the NOISE, as Baker puts it, for there will be plenty of pro-SAC sentiments this weekend.
@Paul Rogers It says Good bye Kings in the tab title. I’m on firefox and right next to the main menu it says Good bye Kings.
Is the “goodbye kings” tab title still on the post? If it is and hasn’t been removed, then I don’t see it. If I don’t see it, and I’ve been looking really hard, then it’s kind of an abscure reference that we are stressing over.
Is it possible that we need to say “goodbye hyperventilating about nothing”?
Ok. For all Kings fans who are using firefox, we really hope you weren’t offended when you saw the tab title telling you goodbye. Just to correct this, I will use “hello Kings” for the tab title of my next article. But not really.
“Is it possible that we need to say “goodbye hyperventilating about nothing”?”
Lol! I think so anyway.
^^^ Good one Paul Rogers. A few months left and hopefully the long stressful journey will be over with a new long journey beginning.
On a completely unrelated note, did the following commercial give anyone else a simultaneous feeling of amusement and repulsion?
http://lybio.net/geico-dikembe-mutombo-happier-than-dikembe-mutombo-blocking-a-shot/commercials/
The only thing that would’ve made it both funnier and more repulsive was if it ended with a shot of Mutombo lying flat on his back holding the box of cereal he rejected.
Dikembe actually received an award my grad school a year or two ago for his humanitarian efforts. Really nice guy. I should have told him that image is seared into my memory as robbing one of the best chances Seattle had to get a championship in my lifetime.
I’m sure he is a nice guy. He definitely played a huge role in that 94 series. As good a team as the Sonics were, the Nuggets were a major matchup problem for them even in the regular season. I really believe if they had survived that series it would’ve been us that won the two Jordanless titles and not Houston.
Of course, a huge factor was the cockiness of our team and a lack of cohesion that was revealed through adversity.
Oh wow. I just noticed the page title in internet explorer. It is, in fact, “Goodbye Kings”. Maybe I am going blind or crazy. Not as abscure as I thought, but still a silly thing to worry about.
I feel bad for the fans in Sacramento. It was torture for me when Clay bought the team, watching it slip away. I agree with this post, though. This is probably a done deal and I don’t think there is anything wrong, trollish, or insensitive about saying that, at this point, and especially, on THIS site.
I read some Kings sites and I read things that bother me. There is a tendency to put down our city and put down our arena effort to buoy their hopes of keeping their team. But putting myself in their shoes, which is easy, I can see where they are coming from. At the end of the day, this is an honest effort by Hansen vs. a completely dishonest effort by Bennet. I am personally proud of how his ownership group has a approached this from day one.
My take on Kevin Johnson is similar to when he was a player. He seemed like a boob back in his playing days and he seems like a boob now. Having said that, I have a tremendous amount of respect for the effort and energy he’s putting into this issue versus what we saw from Nickels.
The sad thing for Kings fans is there seems to be this idea that the only reason they are leaving is because the Maloof’s didn’t try to sell to local buyers. It’s way more than that. Sacramento has a very messy arena situation. Even the public dollars that the city council have approved will trigger a bitter fight from citizens locally.
So I don’t care what Stern says, this is a bidding war. Hansen made a big market bid to bring a team to a big market. That’s probably going to pencil out for him as a long term investment. But what owner is going to make a big market bid to keep a team in a small market?
The commitment has to be massive and unprecedented to have the NBA kick a signed deal back to the Maloof’s. And as soon as they do kick it back… what are the Maloof’s going to do with it? It’s back to dealing with them again. They can turn down a deal to move the team to Seattle, but they can’t take the control away from the Maloof’s entirely.
At this point, KJ needs to keep fighting, but if he doesn’t have a perfect solution, I think he’ll soon just be fighting to preserve the legacy and building relationships for a future return of the NBA. I feel like Seattle has done everything that can be expected, thanks to Hansen, to have the NBA return. I’ll be happy for Sacramento if they can put together a way to keep their team but I can only feel so guilty if Hansen is successful. I think he’s done it the right way within the harsh framework he has to work in.
The link below is why Mark Cuban is one of the best owners in sports am why I want basketball back in Seattle.
“The NBA is like a business of unlike any other”
http://blogmaverick.com/2013/02/12/the-nba-is-a-business-unlike-any-other/
Well, until the moving vans show up in Sacramento or at least the vote is taken and that part is over, I just cannot invest in the players or the draft. None of that matters to me until the Hansen group owns the team. Then, I will pay attention. It is just who I am. I turned my back on the NBA in 2008. Outside of becoming a temporary Heat fan during the finals last year, I have paid very little attention.
Does anyone have a link to KJ’s weekly press conference? (Sorry, Baker. I can’t look away from the crash.)
We should just rename this thread “Game of Thrones”.
John_S: The ironic thing is that I bet Cuban votes against the sale/relocation…and for the exact same reasons he voted against the OKC move.
“until the moving vans show up in Sacramento or at least the vote is taken and that part is over, I just cannot invest in the players or the draft.”
this is EXACTLY how i feel. once i start looking into draft picks and speculating on trades, i am telling myself that this is over and as of now, it’s not over. close, but not over. therefore the “crash” is all i can watch right now. “invest” is a great word to use. i can’t make that kind of commitment to the team until chris hansen holds a press conference with a green and gold banner in the background.
to each his own.
It will be interesting to see what happens this weekend. We all know KK will find a ready audience with writers — but how many NBA owners will be willing to give him more than the time of day? If he gets the brush-off from many, with maybe only a “make your case in April at the BoG meeting, and we’ll give you a hearing then” (or even less of a positive response), it may be all-but-over for his hopes.
Never mind, found it a link to KJ’s presser:
http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/live-video-kovr/
@the nightfly - Would he though? One of his reasons for voting against OKC was he didnt like leaving a big market for a vastly smaller one. Not the case here. Cuban might vote with fan sympathy in mind. But I get the feeling its business motivation mostly. He knee leaving Seattle was stupid.
If anyone that is watching KJ’s presser could do a brief recap once its finished it would be much appreciated.
Im with Baker. I dont read Sac boards, media, Carbunkle Dave, or any of that stuff. Ive actually unfollowed some folks on Twitter for retweeting those guys nonstop. I just want to focus on us. I’ve said my piece about how unfair this is for Sac fans & how I sympathize. Nothing more I can say. I just wish we could time travel past this all.
“Yeah dont get the sensitivity towards Kings fans. If we were posting this type of stuf on Kings message boards that would be different.”
- There is literally no reason to be senstive towards Kings fans if:
1) You never complained about OKC fans
2) You never tried to explain to someone why Seattle was “better” than OKC
3) You never tried to expalin to someone why Seattle moving to OKC had nothing to do with “fan interest” and that “fans really did support the team and it was all (insert: Stern, Schultz, Bennett, Nickels) fault
As long as you never did that…then fine…but if you have you’re just being an incredible hypocrite. A hypocrite for no good reason since we’ve established that most of what the Kings fans are doing is symbolic.
To each their own…it is actually more conerning that this needs to be explained. You’d think people would be a little more in tune with thing when it comes to franchise relocation up here. Guess self interest can cloud a ton…
KJ for your information the deal is done in Seattle. Everyone else knows it why don’t you?
Chris Daniels @ChrisDaniels5
Mayor Johnson says the “deal is not done” in Seattle. #NBAKings #NBASeattle
“I just want to focus on us. I’ve said my piece about how unfair this is for Sac fans & how I sympathize. Nothing more I can say. I just wish we could time travel past this all.”
+1…
“I just wish we could time travel past this all.”
I agree EJ. I’ve also unfollowed people on Twitter who retweet anything coming out of Sacramento non stop.
kj says, he’s asking “anyone and everyone who has money” to buy the team…
Just heard that..”We will take money from ANYBODY who has any money..including Lebron”
“I agree with you that there shouldn’t be a rush to move him, and certainly not for pennies on the dollar. The difficulty for me though is that while I think there is a strong chance you would regret trading Cousins, there is an equally strong chance you would regret paying him.”
- I think it is slightly strong we’d regret it…but I totally agree with this…the guy is either going to drive the fans crazy or be the next big star in the league. Doesn’t feel like there is a middle ground.
I think the hope is that with a stronger coach and organization he will turn things around. Non-UW fans might not know this…but UW was actually considered his second choice behind Kentucky
@206er - That doesn’t sound too positive when he has only 17 days (March 1st), to give the NBA his plan.
waiting for the ..”Where are the Whales you were going to unveil two weeks ago?” question
agreed
I agree with ignoring the Sac-centric tweets. There should be a moratorium on posting tweets here from Carmichael Dave, Bruski, Greenwich and anyone else spreading misinformation out of their own self interest. I’d make an exception for KJ in the unlikely event he ever has anything relevant to say.
Man, I love ya Mike and I’m sorry to post any of this stuff here, but you know how it goes.
Chris Daniels @ChrisDaniels5
Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson will go to Houston for the ASG, and calls it the “final act”. #NBAKings
Chris Daniels @ChrisDaniels5
Johnson hints that joint committee will likely want to hear from him “sooner” than BOG meeting. #NBAKings #NBASeattle
Chris Daniels @ChrisDaniels5
KJ says lack of equity partner does not undermine his pitch to NBA Owners. #NBAKings #NBASeattle
Those kind of statements from KJ seem to be sending a message.
I only follow Chris Daniels. He is the best in the business. Until we get a team for sure I could care less about players, draft choices etc. There will be plenty of time for that.
What makes KJ think that the Maloofs will sell to his investment group that he may reveal?? I mean if they were to undermine this deal ( I dont believe that will happen) who is to say that the Maloofs wont just sell to someone who didnt mess with their private business sale?
17 days to identify “whales” that are willing to pay $525 million for the team 17 days to pass an arena proposal through Sac City counsel at a new location that is currently privately owned by a 3rd party. Lastly, there is no guarantee the NBA BOG will approve the deal even if you get both of these things.
KJ might as well me attempting a full-court shot to, down by 4 at the end of the game.
Chris Daniels @ChrisDaniels5
KJ says lack of equity partner does not undermine his pitch to NBA Owners. #NBAKings #NBASeattle
>>>>>A Equity Partner IS the pitch..so without one..there is none.
Sounds like he’s preparing to make a pitch to the joint committee without an equity partner. Good luck with that, KJ.
Chris Daniels @ChrisDaniels5
A quick takeaway: KJ no longer talking about April 19th BOG meeting to make his pitch. Sense of urgency to do it sooner. #NBAKings
Chris Daniels @ChrisDaniels5
KJ said “he’s getting close” on naming an equity partner for a #NBAKings counter offer. #NBAKings #NBASeattle
Chris Daniels @ChrisDaniels5
KJ says he’s launching a corporate campaign, to shows Sacramento biz support for new Arena, team. #NBAKings #NBASeattle
Recap:
No whales,
I just saw the tweet from a local reporter from kcra. I don’t know I’d he means it literally or not.
@kcrabienick: @KJ_MayorJohnson says people in Houston will understand if he doesn’t show up with #whale investors for #nbakings.
ok then
we know kj is going to be at the all start game preaching is cause. is there any indication that hansen/ballmer will be there too? would it do any good for them to provide a seattle perspective?
Thank you Nap :)
After reading those tweets, it seems kind of like the same old same old from KJ with the exception of talking to the BOG sooner than April and this “Sense of urgency.” With those 2 things I wonder if we might actually get a vote during the All Star break.
also “lack of an equity partner” so it sounds to me like the rich folks he was counting on have possibly decided to pass on putting a deal together.
Hansen and/or Ballmer could be there, but they don’t need to do any lobbying. They already turned in their homework.
Hansen and Ballmer wouldnt do this but it would be quite funny IMO.
Everytime KJ walks up to talk with another teams owner Ballmer walks up and just undermines the conversation. LOL it would be quite funny. Maybe Im a dick but oh well
Thank you Nap
After reading those tweets, it seems kind of like the same old same old from KJ with the exception of talking to the BOG sooner than April and this “Sense of urgency.” With those 2 things I wonder if we might actually get a vote during the All Star break.
Posted this the other day in another thread. But if anyone missed it, here’s how you create an avatar for this site.
Go to Gravatar.com and create an account with the same email address that you use to log on to this site. Upload a photo and you’re good to go.
It’s nice to immediately look at a post and identify with who is speaking. Try it out if you haven’t.
Don’t expect Hansen/Ballmer to be pleading their case at ASW. It WOULD be priceless to see them sitting together at the ASG itself with no comment to reporters.
Although I do think KJ will announce Burkle/Mastrov as his ownership group eventually, it’s interesting that he is still talking about looking for equity partners. If they don’t even have the parties nailed down yet, that can’t be a good thing.
“Hansen and/or Ballmer could be there, but they don’t need to do any lobbying. They already turned in their homework.”
I agree
Can someone help me remember something, as someone who has just been out of the NBA for a while now….
I seem to remember a bench player, I am pretty sure for the Spurs, who was always kind of a spectacle on the bench getting really excited, celebrating, waving a towel around, etc. I cannot for the life of me put a name to him or get any help from Google on this. I want to say this was mid-90sish.
Thanks EJ for the gravatar instructions.
SMK206 says:
February 12, 2026 at 8:34 am (Edit)
McLemore is legit, and his height is not an issue. There are at least eight 6’5″ and under SGs with a PER above 15.0 this year: James Harden, Dwyane Wade, Eric Gordon, OJ Mayo, JJ Redick, Ray Allen, Monta Ellis, Ben Gordon.
Wade or JJ, that’s a franchise guy and a backup SG.
If I am picking #1 then I have to be more sure that he is closer to starter than the bench. I admit that I have to look at him more, but last night I thought I was seeing the second coming of Cory Magette with a better jumper. I hope I’m wrong, and I hope I see a better handle.
Don’t think it will be an issue, he will likely be gone before the Franchise selects.
I would like a true pg, if possible.
Sean, I don’t think this is who you’re talking about but Ronny Turiaf fits that bill aside from the mid-90s part.
Cuban is awesome. As a mavs season ticket holder I’ve grown to have a great deal of respect for him. (even if the team isn’t doing well this year)
I would wager to bet that he will vote for the move. The reason he voted against the move is because on paper, moving a team from Seattle to OKC was just a dumb idea. It weakened the league and he’s against doing anything that weakens the league.
I would wager that he’ll see moving a team from a small market, back to seattle is a good thing for the league.
If it helps he was a white dude.
Chris Daniels @ChrisDaniels5
A quick takeaway: KJ no longer talking about April 19th BOG meeting to make his pitch. Sense of urgency to do it sooner. #NBAKings
“And my guess is it’s likely the mayor of Sacramento will appear before the Board with an alternate play. And that’s why we have a Board of Governors. To make the decision.”
So reading from what Chris Daniels tweeted above and the quote from David Stern from last week, it seems consistent that KJ will not be making his pitch at the BOG meeting in April. I think this weekend will be his “pitch” at the ASG. I think one or two things might happen at the ASG:
1. KJ will try to convince enough owners to vote no on the deal.
2. KJ will lobby the support of the owners for the NBA future in Sacramento
Looks like goodbye kings is right. That stuff sounds like Sacramento has come up empty
Test.
i wonder if the league told kj to have the counter offer in place long before the aug 19th meetings because they need to vet the sacramento ownership group before even thinking about turning down hansen.
Is it possible that if KJ makes his pitch at the ASG that the BOG could vote soon after?
Lots of ways to spin this. One is that they actually already have Mastrov and Burkle in the fold they are just lying low and waiting until the ASG for their big “Ta-Da!!” moment.
“If it helps he was a white dude.”
You’re thinking of Jack Haley
I know some of my comments come off harsh and for that I apologize. But something that has always got me was that the Maloofs for years have been trying to move the Kings. I remember when I was living in Las Vegas from 2001-2005, there was lots of talks about how the Maloofs wanted to move the team there. Then we had the Anaheim and V.B. push too and even more Las Vegas/Henderson push. I coulda sworn I read that Burkle has interest in moving the Kings to San Jose. To me, all that is rather telling that Sacramento is not the market people think it is. When Sacramento came up with the rail yard arena deal, the Maloofs quickly ran from it. Burkle wants a separate site now. My assumption is that no ownership group wants to get locked in Sacramento for 30 years on some arena deal and there appears to be a lot of effort by the owners and potential buyers to avoid a long term lease in that city.
Thank you, Myk! I was probably about 9-10 years old during his time with the Spurs and my cousin and I (who regularly became Kemp and Payton while shooting hoops in his backyard) always got such a huge kick out of him. Don’t know why I thought of it right now, but man that’d have bothered me all day! Thanks!!!
Sean, Are you thinking of Will Perdue?
so KJ is gonna make this pitch this weekend with no whales and no arena plan?
Zeppe,
If he actually had whales already lined up why continue to keeping it quiet.
”
Hansen and Ballmer wouldnt do this but it would be quite funny IMO.
Everytime KJ walks up to talk with another teams owner Ballmer walks up and just undermines the conversation. LOL it would be quite funny. Maybe Im a dick but oh well”
That would be funny. This reminds me of a Pete Carroll story. Last year before the draft and Russell Wilson, Seattle and Miami were competing for every QB prospect out there. Both the Dolphins and Seahawks were scouting Ryan Tannehill hard. I think Flynn had already been signed out from under Miami. Miami was treating Tannehill to dinner in a restaurant and Carroll crashed the dinner.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1125897-2012-nfl-draft-news-seattle-seahawks-show-up-big-to-watch-qb-brock-osweiler
Actually, here is the link to the original story.
http://mynorthwest.com/422/653750/Why-were-the-Seahawks-at-Tannehills-pro-day
EJ, it was Jack Haley. Myk nailed it down for me.
soundersfan, KJ is going to do what knows best and all he can do right now, pitch the city he loves and represents.
A note on Gravatar. It can take a few minutes before your avatar will show.
It might be more entertaining if Mike McGinn goes to Houston and does the undermining. Maybe after a few beers. Remember when McGinn spoke at the event where Hansen bought everyone a beer. Pretty sure he had a little buzz started.
Jack Haley made a career out of celebrating on the bench on good teams. Did the same for the Bulls and Lakers.
Riboflavin- I think it is Ellison you probably heard because its no secret he wants a team to play in San Jose. Burkle wanted to buy the Kings in 2011 and pissed off the Maloofs by publically stating that.
Also I think that Burkle had something to with the Palms. Thats why Aldridge said when the sale was announced that there is no chance the Maloofs will sell to Burkle. He was pretty confident in that assessment. Thats the part that may be a final blow if KJ does everything right. If the Maloofs tell the fellow owners that if they nix the Hansen deal they will not sell the team to anyone. The NBA wants this resolved and if they think that the Maloofs wont sell to anyone if they vote down Hansen/Ballmer then they wont say no to the deal. They want this saga to end and if they believe the Maloofs will keep the team they arent going to take that gamble. Honestly if the Maloofs publically or privately said that so the owners hear its game over even though it is probably already over. For the NBA its gotten redundant in Sacramento that an arena hasnt been achieved over the last 9 years/
On Twitter right now…
Chris Daniels @ChrisDaniels5
Does anyone have questions on this #NBAKings #NBASeattle story? I will try to answer for the next 10 minutes.
Just a little good news to get the day goin’ right:
Geoff Baker @gbakermariners
Felix Hernandez deal is done. Press conference in Seattle tomorrow at 2 p.m. PT
Good to hear about Felix
trolltossin - You’re right, it was Ellison that was rumored wanting to move the Kings. I really hope we have a better understanding where things are after this weekend, as I’m sure everyone else does too.
Hopefully someone like Jack Haley will return to the Seattle scene before Halley’s Comet returns.
I find KJ’s stance on the March 1st deadline and his declaration of ASG weekend as his final act a bit contradictory. It sounds like the NBA is giving him an idea that things are moving very quickly, could mean that perhaps KJ’s lobbying this weekend will be focused on Sac as a city and asking for some more time and consideration before anything is finalized perhaps?
Remember, KJ is going to be petitioning everybody at the ASG that the Kings should stay in Sac, even the mascots!! Which should tell everybody in Kings fans, the team is as good as gone.
Im guessing KJ will be lobbying for the BoG to wait until March 1st to get his “whales” in a row thats probably what the final act is. He is going to plead for waiting til March 1st and if he doesnt have it done by then they do what they have to do. Then the ASG would be his final act.
Sean…I agree that KJ’s timeline seems to be changing quite a bit. The “whales” were supposed to be announced by now, and a final plan by March 1. Now there has been a delay in the whale announcement, but apparently his “pitch” to the BOG will now come sooner than April 19. It gives you the overall impression that KJ is scrambling a bit and hasn’t nailed anything down.
My guess is that he’ll make an announcement prior to his self-imposed March 1 deadline but only names the equity partners, and will say that the arena is going through the approval process, but not quite ready yet. He is the only one imposing a March 1 deadline, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he moved the goalposts once again for a “final plan.”
Let’s see if this Gravatar works…
We should name an “all time towel wavers team”..Turiaf shouldn’t count because he has played meaningful minutes over a number of years…The Scheff comes to mind.
Gravatar Galactica test.
Stern, “KJ, you mentioned mascots, pay close attention to one in particular. He will be returning after a deep mountain 5 year exile. He will look like the Jack Link’s Sasquatch. Look deeply into his eyes. Only Then you will know the final answer to what troubles you.”
Gravatesting
Soundersfan,
I wonder the same thing but I’ve seen stuff written from the other side that if they keep holding their cards they can control the momentum and the news cycle all in their favor.
Doesn’t make much sense to me. I’d want the big guns/whales out right away to let everybody know who they’re dealing with. You don’t want to short the amount of time to vet those guys.
Zeppe
it doesn’t help though by continuing to keep the whales quiet especially when it comes to the arena deal.
Will Hansen/Ballmer be at the ASG as well as KJ? If they are not, I would actually be more comforted- thinking that they must feel confident in the BOG’s support.
Chris Daniels @ChrisDaniels5
I’m scheduled to talk with @bobandgroz on @710ESPNSeattle at 2:30 with the latest on #NBAKings and #NBASeattle
mayor kj is doing what he has to do. he’s not just a former hoops star, he’s a talented politician. he can stretch out this story, which — until the big event — is, from his perspective: “look at all we’re doing here in sacramento to keep the team we love.” that’s reasonable, and it’s what’s driving him & the fans. actually, i wish that seattle’s mayor showed as much concern back in the bad old days.
but better days are on the horizon for us, i think. for others, not so much.
Now I have more gravitas with my gravatar!
maybe not, it’s showing in the top left log in corner but not in the comments.
there it is, cool
KJ says,
“You just cannot tell me that when Sacramento presents a comparable, fair, competitive deal to what Seattle’s done and makes good on this arena that this team is going to be plopped and relocated somewhere else,” Johnson said. “At the end of the day, you just can’t tell me that’s going to happen.”
Yes KJ we can and will.
For everyone bumping Shabazz Muhammad as a possible future Sonic, I respond:
No way please no.
I do not want anything to do with someone who acts the way he did at the end of the UW game last week. Throwing a hissy fit while the ball is IN PLAY, then moping off the court while his teammates pile onto each other in joy.
S-E-L-F-I-S-H. That dude is a first class divo (that’s a male diva, friends). We should want nothing to do with that.
Ben Mclemore, Isaiah Austin, Anthony Bennett, Alex Len, CJ Mccollum are guys I like at the moment draft wise.
Nerlens Noel is playing Florida this afternoon at 4, Trey Burke is playing at 6 vs MSU both on ESPN, two other players that get talked about a lot.
“We should name an “all time towel wavers team”..Turiaf shouldn’t count because he has played meaningful minutes over a number of years…The Scheff comes to mind.”
Steve Scheffler, Jack Haley, Kurt Rambis, ML Carr, Brian Scalabrine, Mark Madsen, ????
““You just cannot tell me that when Sacramento presents a comparable, fair, competitive deal to what Seattle’s done and makes good on this arena that this team is going to be plopped and relocated somewhere else,” Johnson said. “At the end of the day, you just can’t tell me that’s going to happen.”
Hey KJ let me be the first to say … it’s going to happen.
Rambis and ML Carr each were big contributers on the court for much of their careers, Madsen and the others are perfect. How about Chuck Nevitt??..7’5″ stiff who the Rockets and other teams kept around for around 10 years yet rarely saw game action.
This is Nevitt with the Lakers AFTER he gained 25 pounds!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e66tgN-cuuc
Yeah, I think the league would much prefer to give us a team via relocation, and since it is already in the works I think they’ll let it go through. But I do think the league would rather expand than lose the opportunity here, IF by some tiny chance this doesn’t work out and we can’t buy another team.
Xteve you are the second one. LOL
kba says:
February 12, 2026 at 2:57 pm
KJ says,
“You just cannot tell me that when Sacramento presents a comparable, fair, competitive deal to what Seattle’s done and makes good on this arena that this team is going to be plopped and relocated somewhere else,” Johnson said. “At the end of the day, you just can’t tell me that’s going to happen.”
Yes KJ we can and will.
KBA,
Indeed. NBA can do what ever they want. Fair and competitive deal means squat.
“why a 6-5 SG is floating near the top of the draft. Ben McLemore has a great shooting touch, but, is he going to get taller or play PG?”
Since when has 6’5″ been inadequate height for a SG? And since when do 6’5″ players get shunted to PG? How many 6’5″ point guards can you name? Most are 6’3″ or less.
Though I am a long time reader/ lurker of this site and its predecessor, I have finally registered now that the Sonics are headed home (in the form of either the Kings or expansion). I want to thank Brian and those affiliated with this site for all of their hard work in keeping the torch burning all these years. I truly think that those efforts have had an impact and helped get us to where we have a team in sight. Thank you!
I just wanted to chime in on a couple of things and see what you all think:
First, with the draft I like Marcus Smart a lot. Seems like a quality guy and a winner. He has the right size and is tough. I think he would be a good compliment to Isiah Thomas. Same attitude and drive but different skill sets.
Also, I know it is a bit early for this but just throwing it out there…
As far as coaching staff goes and operations in general. I would like to see (at least for the first few years) as we get back on the right track and set the tone and foundation for the future, people with strong local and Sonics ties.
Some names I would like to see for coaching are:
Nate “Mac10″ McMillian - Head coach
Avery “The Little General” Johnson first assistant
Gary “The Glove” Payton Assistant
Brandon “B-Roy” Roy Assistant
Some of my thoughts are:
Nate is Mr. Sonic and I want him to pick up where he left off, it would be hard for any player coming in not to respect him and his standing with this franchise.
The Sonics were the first team to take a chance on an undrafted Avery Johnson. He is a winner period and an exceptional coach (check his stats on Wikipedia for coaching) and available. Some may say he wouldn’t want to go back to being an assistant, but if he is still allowed to talk to teams looking for a head coach it beats broadcasting maybe.
Gary needs no explanation. His career should be our mission statement. If he could get in there at practice and teach hard nose defense and swagger it would go a long way at setting the “tone”. And any player out on the floor not playing “D” will have him barking at them from the bench.
I just read an article about Brandon wanting to get into coaching now that he is really planning on retiring from the game. The knees can’t take it anymore. But he has all of the intangibles for a great career in coaching. He is a local guy, who has a relationship with Nate and the teaching of Romar thrown in for good measure.
Just some thoughts, would like to hear what you guys think.
Go Supes!
@gp206 I love your coaching staff
If we’re going PG in the draft I really like trey Burke, I think others here are also a fan of his. Personally I haven’t seen enough of Smart to really say
@Ty I’ll take a look at Burke. Thanks
I am a troll from Sacramento. I hate trolls on other fans message boards, but I could not help but to respond to this post. so begin to hate if you would like.
It is being said that “Sacramento has done well to earn an expansion team or be first in line for the next franchise available; the team was sold, relocation papers filed, and if the NBA was going to do something then it would have happened months ago”.
I would like to take a minute to respectfully without malice point out the facts. These are not speculation, conjecture, pontification or opinion. What I am about to lay out are the facts as we know them to date that if you Google them, it will come up as just that facts and quotes from particular people.
1. The Maloof Family has a signed agreement with the Seattle Hansen/Balmer group to sell the Kings for $525 million. FACT
2. The necessary relocation paperwork has been filed before the March 1 deadline to move the team to Seattle. FACT.
3. The Kings franchise as of February 13, 2026 is currently in Sacramento, not in Seattle. FACT.
4. Mayor Kevin Johnson, Sacramento native, 12 year NBA veteran, three time NBA All Star has been given permission by Commissioner David Stern to address the NBA Board of Governors on April 18 or 19 to present a counter offer for the team. “I don’t think it’s a bidding war,” Stern told reporters in Minneapolis.”That’s why we have a board of governors, to make difficult decisions like this one.” THAT IS FACT.
5. A simple majority is needed to approve relocation but 3/4 is needed to approve a sale, meaning Sacramento needs 8 no votes to block the sale. If the sale is not blocked, relocation would likely be a formality. FACT.
So another fact is you can not say good bye to something that has not left, and you can not earn what you already possess. And it is my opinion that if Kevin Johnson comes up with the partners needed by his March 1 deadline, that there is a 50/50 shot that the Kings will remain in Sacramento. But if he does not, the team will move to Seattle.
So all of your trade analysis and mock drafting for a team that you do not have yet is baseless speculation and ego stroking of a fan base scorned. You may have earned the right to get an NBA franchise, but Seattle has done nothing to earn the Sacramento franchise. And just because one market failed to keep it’s team does not mean another market will fail to keep theirs. Seattle is a great, great city, and it is my hope that both markets win out in this situation. But Kings belong to Sacramento until the Board of Governors say otherwise come April 19. Anything else is not fact but pure speculation.
One trolls opinion.