Nearly five years after their colors, banners and history were packed away into storage and their franchise relocated, the SuperSonics are one significant step closer to returning to Seattle.
And the Kings are on the edge of leaving Sacramento.
All that appears to stand in the way now is approval by NBA owners.
The Maloof family has agreed to sell the Kings to a Seattle group led by investor Chris Hansen, the league confirmed in a statement Monday morning. The deal is still pending a vote by the NBA Board of Governors.
A person familiar with the decision said that Hansen’s group will buy 65 percent of the franchise, which is valued at a total price of $525 million, and move the team to Seattle and restore the SuperSonics name. The deal will cost the Hansen group a little more than $340 million. The Maloofs will have no stake in the team.
The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal was waiting approval.
Around the league
The Atlanta Hawks signed guard Jannero Pargo to a 10-day contract before facing the Minnesota Timberwolves. Injuries have depleted Atlanta’s roster at guard with Lou Williams out the season and Devin Harris nursing a sprained left ankle. …The struggling Los Angeles Lakers juggled their starting lineup, moving forward Pau Gasol to a reserve role and replacing him with Earl Clark. … Chicago Bulls star point guard Derrick Rose could soon be going through full-contact drills in practice. Coach Tom Thibodeau said Rose is “very close” to doing just that and it’ll be “the next step” in his recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
