Kings Staying Put (was Sonics coming back)

[MGMT]

Surprised we're worth more than the Clippers, since LA is the best place everzzz and all.

[JawJuttinAsasin]

http://www.sbnation.com/2013/1/21/38...s-seattle-sale

pretty scathing

[Jack Brickman]

Surprised we're worth more than the Clippers, since LA is the best place everzzz and all.

I'm not. The Clippers have been a joke of a franchise for like three decades prior to their recent revival. The Cavs were at their peak value just four years ago.

[chrisrich91]

Good news for the Cavs and that pick. Maybe a revitalized team next year due to the move?

If not next year, soon after. The Maloofs were cancer and their absence alone will elevate that franchise.

[Jack Brickman]

Good news for the Cavs and that pick. Maybe a revitalized team next year due to the move?

If not next year, soon after. The Maloofs were cancer and their absence alone will elevate that franchise.

Hiring a better coaching staff and front office will help a lot as well.

[Jon]

Good news for the Cavs and that pick. Maybe a revitalized team next year due to the move?

If not next year, soon after. The Maloofs were cancer and their absence alone will elevate that franchise.

We can't guess what they're going to do, but if they decide they hate the team as it's constructed and want to blow it up and start from scratch, that'd probably be bad news for our pick.

[chrisrich91]

We can't guess what they're going to do, but if they decide they hate the team as it's constructed and want to blow it up and start from scratch, that'd probably be bad news for our pick.

They have tons of young talent. If they decide to blow it up, that young talent turns into very appealing trade assets. They're in good shape regardless.

[Lionheart]

Not sure if posted: http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/ey...kson-rc-buford

Report: Seattle group looking to add Phil Jackson, R.C. Buford
By Zach Harper | NBA Blogger
January 21, 2013 11:52 am ET

The Seattle SuperSonics could be back by next season, and with that, the Hansen ownership group is going to need to make a big splash with taking the team in a new direction. As of right now, the Sacramento Kings have been a rudderless ship, toiling in the waters of mediocrity and mismanagement.

How do you fix that? Apparently, you go out and try to hire the best in the business at various positions your new team needs. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo1 Sports reports that the Chris Hansen ownership group will try to hire R.C. Buford or Larry Bird to run the team:

The new Seattle NBA ownership group has begun discussing possible candidates to run its franchise and has deliberated whether to target San Antonio Spurs general manager R.C. Buford and former Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird, sources told Yahoo! Sports.

To convince Buford to leave San Antonio, where he enjoys close personal and professional relationships with Popovich and owner Peter Holt, the Seattle group might need to offer a small percentage of equity into the franchise and give him autonomy to assemble and run basketball operations. Any potential offer in Seattle would need to be extraordinary to get Buford to leave the Spurs.

Bird, the NBA's 2011 Executive of the Year, stepped away from the Pacers in the spring to take care of some health issues, but had planned to return in 2013 or '14. Bird wants to work again and there's nothing contractual that binds him to the Pacers. Donnie Walsh and Kevin Pritchard are running the Pacers' front office now.

But wait, there's more!

Not only will the Seattle owners try to get a great front-office presence to set the tone for how the organization is operated, but they're going to go after one of, if not the greatest coach in NBA history. Peter Vescey tweeted that Phil Jackson is a target for the organization to be a part of the front office:

"Source says almost living lock Phil Jackson will become front office face of Seattle-bound Kings' franchise. Won't coach. Will mentor choice"

At this rate, I wouldn't be surprised if they fired the DeLorean up to 88 mph and signed 1992 Michael Jordan to be the franchise player for the new Seattle SuperSonics (assuming the sale and relocation is approved, of course). The only way this could get better for Seattle is if the team brought in Kevin Calabro to be the play-by-play man and Gary Payton to be the analyst on local broadcasts.

You have to give this group credit: They're trying to make a big splash and get this organization turned to the proper direction.

I don't think they'll be able to pry away Buford (at least not yet), nor uproot Bird from 'retirement' but Phil has always been on the hunt for a big front office role and with the souring of his LA ties, this might be a very tempting offer for him. Coincidentally, I think he can influence Demarcus Cousins enough and finally get the kid realize his potential. He may even be a free agent attraction as the "face" of the franchise. Thoughts?

[Malt]

For all the conspiracy theorists out there, here's your early favorite to win the NBA lottery this off season.

[Rob]

For all the conspiracy theorists out there, here's your early favorite to win the NBA lottery this off season.

Them or the Magic. Toronto is due for a lottery win soon because of Bosh leaving, maybe that will be in 2014 for Canadian-native Wiggins.

[Jon]

They have tons of young talent. If they decide to blow it up, that young talent turns into very appealing trade assets. They're in good shape regardless.

Depends how they use the assets. If they go after expiring contracts and future picks, it could be years before they see any significant pay off.

[Randolphkeys]

I watched the Kings game today... the team was lifeless in the first half and the announcers sounded devastated. They looked much better in the second half, mostly because Isaiah Thomas plays with heart. Still, this season seems so toxic.

[Pyro]

I watched the Kings game today... the team was lifeless in the first half and the announcers sounded devastated.

Well, these are the same announcers that cried on camera after the Kings supposed last game last season. I actually like the one guy. IF YOU DON'T LIKE THAT, YOU DON'T LIKE NBA BASKETBALL!!!

[KB]

If the Phil Jackson thing happens what do you guys think the odds are that Brian Shaw ends up as the coach?

[Jake]

Well, these are the same announcers that cried on camera after the Kings supposed last game last season. I actually like the one guy. IF YOU DON'T LIKE THAT, YOU DON'T LIKE NBA BASKETBALL!!!

Go fuck yourself. At least they care, Sac is a great basketball town.. The Maloof's are just a bunch of crooks.

This is similar to the Bennett situation, however the Maloofs didn't run the team into the ground (intentionally.) Ripping a basketball town of their team, Seattle is doing the same thing that happened to them in a sense. I hope Sacramento gets their team back.