HoopsHype.com Rumors

Steve Kyler: Sources close to the process in Dallas yesterday said that David Stern was an active participant in Seattle/Sac vote. Twitter @stevekylerNBA

Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, David Stern 

The Kings interviewed six prospects Wednesday: Reggie Bullock (North Carolina), Alex Len (Maryland), Tim Hardaway Jr. (Michigan), Richard Howell (North Carolina State), Tony Snell (New Mexico) and Deshaun Thomas (Ohio State). Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, Draft, Deshaun Thomas, Alex Len, Tony Snell, Tim Hardaway Jr, Reggie Bullock, Richard Howell 

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 

Alex Len arrived in Chicago on Wednesday night night and promptly met with four teams — the Utah Jazz, Sacramento Kings, Minnesota Timberwolves and Boston Celtics. The Jazz, Kings and T-Wolves all hold lottery picks and are three of 10 such teams scheduled to meet with the 7-foot-1 Len this week. Several others outside the lottery, like the Celtics, have also lined up interviews. Washington Post

Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz, Draft, Alex Len 

Chris Mannix: Bucknell's Mike Muscala says he is only scheduled to interview w/two teams: Sacramento and Atlanta. Says he will do "9 or 10" workouts after Twitter @ChrisMannixSI

Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, Draft, Mike Muscala 

Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie and the rest of the front office staff and coach Keith Smart met with the following draft prospects today: Alex Len (Maryland), Richard Howell (North Carolina State), Tim Hardaway Jr. (Michigan), Tony Snell (New Mexico), Deshaun Thomas (Ohio State) and Reggie Bullock (North Carolina). Sulia

Sacramento Kings, Draft, Geoff Petrie, Keith Smart, Tim Hardaway, Deshaun Thomas, Alex Len, Tony Snell, Tim Hardaway Jr 

I did ask Petrie about his future and if he had a plan: “Oh yeah, but I can’t talk about it,” he said. Sulia

Sacramento Kings, Geoff Petrie 

Shawn Kemp said he thought the NBA used the weight of the Seattle group led by Chris Hansen and Steve Ballmer to rally investors in Sacramento. "It seems like we were used a little bit as leverage here in Seattle," Kemp said, "and it feels that way, too." Seattle Times

Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, Shawn Kemp, Steve Ballmer, Chris Hansen 

Kemp said, as a player, he never had a problem with Stern but that statement raised his eyebrows. "I felt like David kind of stuck it to us today," he said. "I thought that was disrespectful for the city of Seattle to see, and for a commissioner that runs the NBA that was very disrespectful. In my eyes, it just told me what we're dealing with." Seattle Times

Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, David Stern, Shawn Kemp, Steve Ballmer, Chris Hansen 

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 

A person in the meeting told USA TODAY Sports there was plenty of spirited debate on the topic, noting that the fact that it went nearly all four hours that were scheduled – as opposed to the typical meeting that would last half as long – was an indication of the tone of the discussion. The person requested anonymity because of the private nature of the talks. USA Today Sports

Sacramento Kings 

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 

“Media just chased George Maloof into the Bell Stand closet!!! UNREAL!!,” Fippin reported in a series of Twitter posts that included a photograph of the media scrum converging on the closet, which is adjacent to the hotel’s main entrance. “He is in a closet guys!!! … George opened the door for a second and closed when he saw this! … Guys, I don’t make up who gets chased across a hotel lobby into a bell check closet. I’m not that awesome!” SI.com

Sacramento Kings, George Maloof, Owners 

Sean Cunningham: Chris Hansen says he looks forward in joining the Maloof family as limited partners for the #NBAKings in Sacramento Twitter @News10Sean

Sacramento Kings