HoopsHype.com Rumors

Shaun Powell: With new ownership officially on board, look for the Kings to act soon on their GM and coach issues. Twitter @Powell2daPeople

Sacramento Kings, Coaching, Geoff Petrie, Keith Smart, Owners, Vivek Ranadive 

In his appearance, he also joked about the Lakers choosing to hire Mike D'Antoni as Mike Brown's replacement, instead of Jackson. "I told Jeanie [Buss], she was upset for two months. I got engaged," Jackson quipped. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson, Owners, Jeanie Buss 

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson announced to screaming throngs of Kings fans Friday that the deal to sell the NBA franchise to a group led by software tycoon Vivek Ranadive has been signed. The announcement at a City Hall rally brings to an end nearly five months of maneuvering by Johnson to secure a new ownership group, convince the council to commit to building a new downtown arena, and to show the NBA that the capitol city of the most populous state in the nation has the fan base to make the venture successful. ESPN.com

Sacramento Kings, Owners, Kevin Johnson, Vivek Ranadive 

The mayor was conciliatory toward Seattle, but said he focused throughout the negotiations on promoting Sacramento as thriving city with 19 sellout seasons, one of the longest streaks in the NBA. "Seattle is a great city and we want them to get a team. For us, it was never a competition. It was about our community telling our story," Johnson said, adding: "It's about not letting someone take something that's not theirs." ESPN.com

Sacramento Kings, Seattle, Owners, Kevin Johnson 

Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling has scheduled to meet with head coach Vinny Del Negro over the weekend to discuss Del Negro's fate with the organization, a league source informed CSNNW.com. According to the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation, says the two will meet in Los Angeles and a decision is anticipated shortly after. CSNNW.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Vinny Del Negro, Coaching, Donald Sterling, Owners 

Longtime Kings general manager Geoff Petrie is not expected to be retained either after the team's 28-54 campaign, and one possible successor who would certainly bring name recognition was on hand on Thursday night. Warriors legend Chris Mullin, who called Game 6 as a television commentator for ESPN, was in the team's front office from 2004 to 2009 and said he would be open to discussing the situation in Sacramento. He has met Ranadive several times but said they had not yet discussed the possibility. "I definitely would (be interested in the job)," he told USA TODAY Sports. "But you know, it's something that's got to be the right fit. It's gotta be – they need my expertise…I'm not one of those people to go solicit it. But a guy like him, if he called me and he needed me, I'd love that." USA Today Sports

Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Geoff Petrie, Chris Mullin, Owners, Vivek Ranadive 

Mullin, who lives in nearby Danville, joked that the geographical challenges that come with their respective locations could be easily solved. "He can pick me up (on his flight from Silicon Valley), " Mullin joked. "Land his helicopter at my house." USA Today Sports

Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Geoff Petrie, Chris Mullin, Owners, Vivek Ranadive 

Tim Kawakami: Just saw Warriors co-owner Joe Lacob, who wouldn't reveal how he voted in Seattle relocation turn-down... Twitter @timkawakami

Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Joe Lacob, Owners 

Tim Kawakami: But Lacob said that there should be no problems replacing Vivek Ranadive's share of the Warriors when/if Ranadive assumes SAC ownership. Twitter @timkawakami

Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Joe Lacob, Owners, Vivek Ranadive 

Sean Cunningham: Just spoke to Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, said deal between Maloofs & Ranadive soon. Chris Hansen owning 20% "not realistic" #nbakings Twitter @News10Sean

Sacramento Kings, Owners, Kevin Johnson, Vivek Ranadive, Chris Hansen 

Mayor Kevin Johnson arrived home today and said the group led by Silicon Valley executive Vivek Ranadive was close to finalizing a deal to buy the Sacramento Kings. "It's going to be close to being signed in the next day or two," the mayor said at Sacramento International Airport. "I'll be surprised if we get past the weekend. I feel very confident about that." Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, Owners, Kevin Johnson, Vivek Ranadive 

Speaking by phone, Kings co-owner George Maloof said negotiations with Ranadive are "going on fine." "These guys are good guys, I have a lot of respect for the people who are trying to buy the team in Sacramento," Maloof said. Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, George Maloof, Owners, Vivek Ranadive 

Jon Santiago: KJ not concerned about any potential snags in finalizing #SacKings sale to Vivek. "This deal is done." http://t.co/HrUMgvIgI3 Twitter @itsjonsantiago

Sacramento Kings, Owners, Kevin Johnson, Vivek Ranadive 

Arash Markazi: Source I talked to said Sterling would take his time with the decision, which he has. No need to rush with VDN signed through June. Twitter @ArashMarkazi

Los Angeles Clippers, Vinny Del Negro, Coaching, Donald Sterling, Owners 

Chris Mannix: George Maloof warning that Kings situation is "not over" suggests that somehow, someway, this ends with lawsuits. Twitter @ChrisMannixSI

Sacramento Kings, George Maloof, Owners 

Another person in the meeting told USA TODAY Sports that it was the Maloof side that put the 24-48 hour time element in place, indicating that they want to resolve the situation within the next two days. After nearly a decade of attempting to be part of an arena plan in Sacramento and more than two years of twists and turns after an attempt to move the team to Anaheim, Calif. in Feb. 2011, the Maloofs want to see a quick end to this situation. USA Today Sports

Sacramento Kings, Owners 

Mayor Mike McGinn says the city and Chris Hansen's ownership group still have time to pull something together. If anything, the opportunity to bring in the Kings came sooner than he expected. “We knew going in this was a long term endeavor,” he said. “So we just have to be ready, to keep being prepared to get an NBA team, and again, we're fortunate to have an ownership group like this, and we're really fortunate to have the fan support that we have.” king5.com

Sacramento Kings, Owners, Chris Hansen, Mike McGinn 

Chris Hansen: While we are obviously extremely disappointed with today’s relocation vote and truly believe we put forth both a significantly better offer and Arena plan, we do thank the league and the owners for their time and consideration and look forward to hearing back on our agreement to join the Maloofs as Limited Partners in the Kings. SonicsArena.com

Sacramento Kings, Owners, Chris Hansen 

Kings co-owner George Maloof was reportedly forced to hide from reporters in a Dallas Marriott’s bell stand closet after NBA commissioner David Stern announced Wednesday that the league’s Board of Governors had voted down a plan to move Sacramento’s basketball team to Seattle. Kevin Fippin of Kings blog SacTownRoyalty.com reported that Maloof briefly entered the closet to avoid a crush of cameras. He later exited the closet and addressed reporters. SI.com

Sacramento Kings, George Maloof, Owners 

Chris Hansen: Our day will come...and when it does it will just be that much sweeter for the struggle. I love you Seattle! SonicsArena.com

Sacramento Kings, Owners, Chris Hansen