HoopsHype.com Rumors

Chris Hansen and Steve Ballmer, the principal investors in the prospective Seattle basketball ownership group, have reportedly started “productive” talks with the NBA for securing an expansion team. Expansion seems to be the preferred option for Hansen’s group, which lost its bid last month to acquire the Sacramento Kings and relocate them to Seattle. There appears to be a “working plan” to bring the NBA back to Seattle, according to Tim Montemayor of KGO Radio in San Francisco. “Several NBA sources in the know tell me there have been productive talks on expansion in Seattle,” Montemayor wrote Wednesday on Twitter. “As the league preps for a new TV deal they have discussed a timetable but have not settled the issue. Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, Steve Ballmer, Chris Hansen 

Aaron Bruski: Hansen on Phil Jackson: "I think he was very interested." Twitter @aaronbruski

Phil Jackson, Seattle SuperSonics 

Chris Mannix: League sources say owners offered to pay Hansen-Ballmer group the $30 million non-refundable deposit they paid the Maloofs. They declined. Twitter @ChrisMannixSI

Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, Joe Maloof, Gavin Maloof, Chris Hansen 

Chris Mannix: Sources also say that hedge fund manager Chris Hansen will not file any lawsuits in relation to the Kings/Seattle situation. Twitter @ChrisMannixSI

Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, Joe Maloof, Gavin Maloof, Chris Hansen 

Chris Mannix: Ownership sources agree the involvement of David Stern was critical in the process. Kings were in constant contact. Seattle group wasn't. Twitter @ChrisMannixSI

Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, Joe Maloof, David Stern, Gavin Maloof, Chris Hansen 

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 

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 

In 2008, the NBA's Seattle Supersonics left the Emerald City to become the Oklahoma City Thunder. They've since gone on to become one of the league's hottest young teams, powered by superstars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Seattle sports fans, meanwhile, have been left team-less, and many of them are still bitter over the move. You can count hit-making rapper Macklemore among the angry. Macklemore, a Seattle native, took to Twitter this week to express some beef over the Thunder using one of his songs as an in-arena pump-up jam. Mashable

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Seattle SuperSonics, Russell Westbrook, Macklemore 

Paul Allen: Feeling for Seattle basketball fans today, would have been great to have a #NBA team once again Twitter @PaulGAllen

Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, Paul Allen 

Brian May: Stern: I would say this is a victory for Sacramento, not a victory for the NBA Twitter @BMayNews10

Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, David Stern, Owners 

Dave Mason: Stern: "It is my expectation that we'll be able to make a deal with the Maloofs and Ranadive group to transfer title of the team." Twitter @DeuceMason

Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, David Stern, Owners 

Sean Cunningham: STERN: General talk to consider expansion in the future after TV deal is negotiated. #NBAKings #NBASeattle Twitter @News10Sean

Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, David Stern, Owners 

Jon Santiago: Stern on whether there's a promise of expansion for Seattle: "Just our promise of fair dealing and ultimate consideration down the road." Twitter @itsjonsantiago

Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, David Stern, Owners 

Aaron Bruski: Stern on expansion: There was generalized talk it would be good in the future to consider that issue, but awaiting the next TV negotiation Twitter @aaronbruski

Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, David Stern, Owners 

Sean Cunningham: STERN: Agreement of Maloofs to sell to Seattle ended with today's relocation vote. Twitter @News10Sean

Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, David Stern, Owners 

James Ham: "(The vote) was on the $625 (million bid from Seattle)" -David Stern Twitter @James_Ham

Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, David Stern, Owners 

Aaron Bruski: Stern on changing Maloof minds: They were clear on that until the end, but their agmt to sell in SEA effectively ended with the vote. Twitter @aaronbruski

Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, Joe Maloof, David Stern, George Maloof, Gavin Maloof, Owners 

Dwain Price: NBA commish David Stern on the Sonics leaving Seattle in '08: "We felt it was a failure that the team left. We were sadden that it left." Twitter @DwainPrice

Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, David Stern, Owners 

Arash Markazi: Adam Silver: "Expansion was discussed as a possibility... We regretted having to leave the market and we fully intend to return some day." Twitter @ArashMarkazi

Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, David Stern, Owners, Adam Silver