Jason Puckett
@JasonPuckettKJR
Dallas- It was a somewhat slow and uneventful day in Dallas, however things picked up as the day wore on.
On the eve of when NBA owners will meet and are expected to take a vote on relocation and sale of the Sacramento Kings, it still seems unclear to what direction the NBA will go in.
It was reported on Monday, after the finance and relocation committee met, that they would offer the same recommendation as before, which was to decline relocation of the Kings to Seattle.
Again, the day was a little slow in the beginning, until I looked up from my computer.
As I was sitting in the hotel lobby, I ran into Kings owner George Maloof. Maloof said he's "100 percent behind Chris" and his family is eager for this process to be over.
Maloof went on to say that he hopes that the committee agrees to the sale and relocation to the Hansen group.
When I asked him directly about what would happen if the NBA turns down Hansen, and whether or not he would agree to a deal with the local Sacramento group? Maloof said his agreement with Hansen prevents him from answering that question and he's committed to them.
One could speculate that he could have come out and said they refuse to sell to the Ranadive group, but he chose not to be so definitive with his position. Folks in Sacramento and Seattle will most likely view that differently.
My observation of Maloof is that he looked very tired and looked like a man who was ready for this saga to be over. Furthermore, he looked like, in my opinion, a man that had a defeated look on his face.
Anyways, what we know about tomorrow is that the NBA owners will start meeting at 1pm central time, so 11am in Seattle. It's expected that they will first take a vote on relocation, which is expected to be rejected based on the recommendation. After the relocation vote, the owners will allegedly vote on the sale of the Kings to the Hansen/Ballmer group.
What we are unaware at this point is how long those meetings will take place and when a press conference will be held. Once we know the exact time, we'll pass it along and of course the press conference will air on Sports Radio KJR.
Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson spoke to reporters in Sacramento before he boarded a plane to Dallas and he once again reiterated that he feels the city has done enough to retain the team. Johnson said he and Vivek Ranadive will speak in front of the owners tomorrow.
Johnson was also asked about whether or not the Sacramento group had placed 100 percent of their purchase offer to the Maloof's into an escrow account. Johnson said, “They told us last week we need to have 50 percent in escrow and now we are told we needed to have 100 percent in escrow, you may as well make an assumption on your own.”
Johnson also spoke to reporters in Dallas once he arrived and said he was very confident in tomorrow's vote.
"Our hope is that we get a favorable outcome on both relocation and our ownership group being approved."
Once again, Johnson talked about whether or not the Sacramento group had put in the full 100 percent of the $341 million purchase offer into an escrow account and once again he was vague.
"If the NBA asked them to put in 100%, I think you have to read between the lines."
When pressed for clarification, Johnson said ,"I'm going to avoid that question."
Johnson was also asked to clarify his comments, in which he assessed blame to Sonics fans back in 2008 for losing their team.
"In context I said if I were them I would be fighting like heck and crazy and at some point you gotta take a high road if there is a final decision. Only they can determine when that is. I don't want infringe on their play calling."
Peter McLoughlin, who is the President of the Seattle Seahawks and Sounders, who is representing Blazers owner Paul Allen, stopped by and spoke for a few brief moments. McLoughlin said "I don't know how it will play out" in regards to Wednesdays vote.
McLoughlin was asked which way Allen is leaning and he was non-committal of his vote. However, when I caught up with McLoughlin last month in New York City, he told me that he didn't see a scenario where Allen would vote against Hansen and Ballmer.
McLoughlin was asked if he thinks its possible that both cities leave Dallas happy, "I don't know."
So, where do we stand? Honestly, I don't know. And, I know that's not the answer many of you want to hear, but I truly have no idea how this will end up. I will tell you this, tomorrow will be an insanely crazy day. I'll be downstairs of the hotel bringing you the very latest. Again, the meetings start tomorrow at 11am pacific, but the fun will start much earlier!
