The Loyal Fans of the Sacramento bid a sad farewell to thier beloved Kings
The Kings will be leaving Sacramento this season, but won't be relocating to Anaheim. In a shocking turn of events the Maloof Family have declared the franchise bankrupt. With dwindling profits in recent years and a number of off-court troubles, the Kings now go into liquidation. NBA comissioner David Stern met with Joe Maloof earlier today and has agreed to allow it to go forward despite wishing to find a new ownership group to keep them in Sacramento.
With the NBA now only containing 29 teams the big question is how does the league go forward. Comissioner Stern unveiled plans for a new franchise, with a decision on location to be announced shortly. With bids from potential ownership groups in Seattle, Baltimore, Kansas and potetial bids to take a team to Vancouver or Mexico a number of factors will have to be taken into account. Does Stern choose to expand the leagues international marketability. Will he perhaps decide to give the great fans of Seattle a team back. Perhaps a return to Baltimore or Kansas after many years without a team to follow.
But what happens to the players? All were offered to relocate with the new team, only one chose to do so. Demarcus Cousins' contract will be held by the league until the new franchise is established, who will then be able to discus terms to make any alterations to it. Some form of a dispersal draft will take place to decide where rest of the roster will go to be held later this week. However how will the franchise establish a roster? Will there be an "Expansion" draft or will they have to build a roster of free-agents. So many questions to be asked but all will be revealed in good time, all we know for now is that California will be a team light.
