I have heard it reported on a national sports program that the current owner wants to focus on her other team, the Saints. Should she hold Davis through his contract next year, the asset will be more valuable when she sells to a Seattle ownership group.

I have heard it reported on a national sports program that the current owner wants to focus on her other team, the Saints. Should she hold Davis through his contract next year, the asset will be more valuable when she sells to a Seattle ownership group.

That would be the smart play. They don't HAVE to move him now.

I recall the Bobcats were the last team added, about 15-20 years ago. I don't think the NBA wants anything to do with relocating any team, especially New Orleans. The Pelicans do well enough, even if it isn't great, and the national of image of the city rebuilding after Katrina is still fresh enough to heartburn for the league if they left. I'm guessing the NBA would prefer other local ownership to step up and buy the Pelicans from Mrs. Benson.


I think the NBA is such an important part of any city's image nowadays that the league wants stability if at all possible. And when Sacramento kept the Kings from leaving for Seattle a few years ago we saw that new dynamic in full display. Cities want to keep their NBA teams more than ever in the league's history.

The Horses' mouth:

2018-19 NBA Trade Tracker: Raptors add Marc Gasol for playoff run; 76ers send Markelle Fultz to Orlando:
https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2018-19-nba-trade-tracker-raptors-add-marc-gasol-for-playoff-run-76ers-send-markelle-fultz-to-orlando/

https://assets.rappler.com/BB36A7BD4BC54CC68709437A497379E2/img/77E2167A811A4D4AA50B4CE91D7BFAD0/marc-gasol-feb-7-2019_77E2167A811A4D4AA50B4CE91D7BFAD0.jpg

Wasn't Marc Gasol, a person of interest connected to some missing cattle in Oklahoma--it was believed he ate the evidence... :D

Not so fast. The Pelicans might be flying away to Seattle unless they can swing a deal for Anthony Davis that brings in names (or draft picks) that will fill seats. Mediocre Lakers players will not do that. If they work a deal with the Knicks and land the #1 pick, Zion Williamson might fill seats and possible save the franchise. I just don't have good feelings about their staying power down there.

They definitely need to fill some seats; Memphis Grizzlies may be a fit for Seattle. Here's where NOLA rank among the 5 NBA small markets:


Salt Lake City Utah Jazz 494,262 - 18,306 91.9
Oklahoma City Thunder 455,075 - 18,203 100.0
Milwaukee Bucks 470,246 - 17,416 100.4
New Orleans Pelicans 392,367 - 15,694 91.3
Memphis Grizzlies 382,007 - 15,280 84.3

Source: NBA Attendance 2018-19 http://www.espn.com/nba/attendance

The Seattle fans want their Supersonics back; Oklahoma City will become a bigger rival than Portland, Utah, Los Angeles or Milwaukee. There is no love for 'OKC' on the message boards since the Sonics' relocation.

Seattle's lament:


1970: Seattle Pilots moved to Milwaukee and became the Brewers.

1996: Remember when the Seahawks almost moved to L.A.? https://www.king5.com/article/sports/nfl/seahawks/remember-when-the-seahawks-almost-moved-to-la/281-385662645

2008: Seattle SuperSonics moved to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder.

Seattle's anger toward Oklahoma City is the result of Milwaukee & Los Angeles' actions of the past. Seattle obtained franchises thru expansion; Seattle Pilots were relocated to Milwaukee. Los Angeles attempted to hijack the Seahawks and Oklahoma City's Supersonic ownership group relocated the team to OKC in 2008.

Milwaukee & Sacramento were given time to build new NBA arenas; whereas Seattle felt they weren't given the same treatment.

New Orleans & Memphis are current NBA franchises not on solid foundations--Seattle now feels that relocation is 'fair game.'

The Seattle fans want their Supersonics back; Oklahoma City will become a bigger rival than Portland, Utah, Los Angeles or Milwaukee. There is no love for 'OKC' on the message boards since the Sonics' relocation.

Seattle's lament:


1970: Seattle Pilots moved to Milwaukee and became the Brewers.

1996: Remember when the Seahawks almost moved to L.A.? https://www.king5.com/article/sports/nfl/seahawks/remember-when-the-seahawks-almost-moved-to-la/281-385662645

2008: Seattle SuperSonics moved to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder.

Seattle's anger toward Oklahoma City is the result of Milwaukee & Los Angeles' actions of the past. Seattle obtained franchises thru expansion; Seattle Pilots were relocated to Milwaukee. Los Angeles attempted to hijack the Seahawks and Oklahoma City's Supersonic ownership group relocated the team to OKC in 2008.

Milwaukee & Sacramento were given time to build new NBA arenas; whereas Seattle felt they weren't given the same treatment.

New Orleans & Memphis are current NBA franchises not on solid foundations--Seattle now feels that relocation is 'fair game.'

They don't feel Bennett was sincere trying to get an arena built out there. But he did put forth a lot of effort on an arena and was rebuffed. The coffee guy also couldn't get anything done so he sold the team. Seattle had plenty of time to get an arena built but they just couldn't get it done. They have no one to be mad at but themselves. They can cry in their coffee all they want. Hopefully Memphis and Nola can get things on the right track and keep their teams.

The Seattle fans want their Supersonics back; Oklahoma City will become a bigger rival than Portland, Utah, Los Angeles or Milwaukee. There is no love for 'OKC' on the message boards since the Sonics' relocation.

Seattle's lament:


1970: Seattle Pilots moved to Milwaukee and became the Brewers.

1996: Remember when the Seahawks almost moved to L.A.? https://www.king5.com/article/sports/nfl/seahawks/remember-when-the-seahawks-almost-moved-to-la/281-385662645

2008: Seattle SuperSonics moved to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder.

Seattle's anger toward Oklahoma City is the result of Milwaukee & Los Angeles' actions of the past. Seattle obtained franchises thru expansion; Seattle Pilots were relocated to Milwaukee. Los Angeles attempted to hijack the Seahawks and Oklahoma City's Supersonic ownership group relocated the team to OKC in 2008.

Milwaukee & Sacramento were given time to build new NBA arenas; whereas Seattle felt they weren't given the same treatment.

New Orleans & Memphis are current NBA franchises not on solid foundations--Seattle now feels that relocation is 'fair game.'

This post is a little confusing. While your focus seems to be on basketball, the baseball add makes it confusing. The Pilots were in Seattle for only one year before the were in bankruptcy court. The franchise was not relocated in the traditional sense, it was bought in bankruptcy court. Talking about a new arena in Milwaukee has nothing to do with the Brewers or baseball. The Bucks had nothing to do with the Brewers.

Two things:

Seattle sued when the Pilots moved, and part of the settlement was that they got the expansion Mariners as soon as the county built the King Dome (1977).

The part about Milwaukee and Sacramento is Seattle sour graping about those cities getting more time to make a new arena deal than Seattle did. I do not think that is accurate.

And it is my opinion that the Seattle situation made the NBA decide to work harder to keep teams from moving in the future. Which means Memphis and New Orleans are not moving.

https://www.quora.com/What-process-does-the-NBA-follow-when-deciding-whether-to-allow-a-city-without-a-team-to-get-one-Is-it-different-for-the-NFL-NHL-and-MLB

The rules regarding relocation in the National Basketball Association Constitution impose restrictions similar to those in Major League Baseball. They prevent teams from relocating without the consent of the NBA Board of Governors, and take into account factors like the proximity of other teams to the proposed relocation destination, the profitability of the new destination for the team and for the league, as well as any state or local laws or regulations that might inhibit or prohibit an NBA team’s success in a new destination.

Despite the perceived restrictiveness of the NBA’s relocation rules, their actual implementation is considerably more liberal when considered in the light of the specific case law that has helped to define and apply them. Unlike Major League Baseball, the NBA does not enjoy an antitrust exemption, and is thus subject to “rule of reason” analysis in cases regarding relocations.“Rule of reason” analysis was applied to the NBA by the decision in NBA v. San Diego Clippers Basketball Club.

Like MLB, the NBA oversees a lower-level basketball league that functions as a reserve system. This league, known as the NBA Development League (or D-League), is comprised of 16 teams, some of which are owned directly by NBA teams. However, since the NBA exerts greater of control over this lower league than does MLB wields over MiLB, it is less of a consideration for relocation issues, and does not present problems to clubs attempting to move.

The absence of antitrust protection makes the NBA’s rules regarding franchise relocation more difficult to enforce than those in MLB. The “rule of reason” analysis applied in NBA relocation cases gives the league less control over the ability of teams to relocate and NBA teams receive higher subsidies toward constructing a new stadium or remodeling an existing stadium than teams in MLB

With that being said I see relocation more likely than expansion. 30 profitable teams give all owners more revenue than 28 profitable ones and 4 unprofitable ones. I see NO on the way to Seattle within two years.

https://www.quora.com/What-process-does-the-NBA-follow-when-deciding-whether-to-allow-a-city-without-a-team-to-get-one-Is-it-different-for-the-NFL-NHL-and-MLB

The rules regarding relocation in the National Basketball Association Constitution impose restrictions similar to those in Major League Baseball. They prevent teams from relocating without the consent of the NBA Board of Governors, and take into account factors like the proximity of other teams to the proposed relocation destination, the profitability of the new destination for the team and for the league, as well as any state or local laws or regulations that might inhibit or prohibit an NBA team’s success in a new destination.

Despite the perceived restrictiveness of the NBA’s relocation rules, their actual implementation is considerably more liberal when considered in the light of the specific case law that has helped to define and apply them. Unlike Major League Baseball, the NBA does not enjoy an antitrust exemption, and is thus subject to “rule of reason” analysis in cases regarding relocations.“Rule of reason” analysis was applied to the NBA by the decision in NBA v. San Diego Clippers Basketball Club.

Like MLB, the NBA oversees a lower-level basketball league that functions as a reserve system. This league, known as the NBA Development League (or D-League), is comprised of 16 teams, some of which are owned directly by NBA teams. However, since the NBA exerts greater of control over this lower league than does MLB wields over MiLB, it is less of a consideration for relocation issues, and does not present problems to clubs attempting to move.

The absence of antitrust protection makes the NBA’s rules regarding franchise relocation more difficult to enforce than those in MLB. The “rule of reason” analysis applied in NBA relocation cases gives the league less control over the ability of teams to relocate and NBA teams receive higher subsidies toward constructing a new stadium or remodeling an existing stadium than teams in MLB

With that being said I see relocation more likely than expansion. 30 profitable teams give all owners more revenue than 28 profitable ones and 4 unprofitable ones. I see NO on the way to Seattle within two years.

Rules? They don't mean squat if the owner really wants to move. Look at what the owner of the then Stl. Rams and the NFL did to that city when they relocated to La. The NFL had their set of guidelines/rules and they broke just about every one of them when they found a sucker to build a stadium in La. So there may be rules but they are there to be broken. If said owner has enough of the other owners to agree with him he can pretty much do what he wants.

I don't think there is a straight line between attendance and profit in today's world. For example, New Orleans is probably a low debt service franchise. I think Tom Benson paid about $400 million for it about 10 years ago. They are probably the anchor tenant of the Smoothie King Arena and control dates, suites, signage, in arena advertising and merchandise sales. They share their small TV market with the Saints, LSU football and LSU basketball, which leaves plenty of dates for Pelicans basketball.
For someone to buy the Pelicans and move to Seattle they would have to pay upwards of $2 billion, become junior tenant of renovated and renamed KeyArena (NHL is going to be primary tenant), and share the market with NFL, MLB, NHL, and MLS. Hard to imagine all these items allow for more free cash than New Orleans would provide in their smaller overhead, less competitive market.

The NBA has been very open about their success in smaller markets where they are the only team. A quarter of the league, by my count. Add in that there are only a handful of "must have" markets (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago; maybe Dallas, Boston, Houston, Atlanta) and you can see where a national sport needs national teams to get a national audience.

https://2oqz471sa19h3vbwa53m33yj-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/nba-revenue-per-team.png

The Data Behind Surging NBA Team Valuations: https://www.visualcapitalist.com/surging-nba-team-valuations/

NBA's five smallest markets:

TV Household/Nielsen rankings/Fortune 1000 companies:


34 Salt Lake City 916,960 ...includes whole state (2 Fortune 1000)
35 Milwaukee 895,700 (13 Fortune 1000)
41 Oklahoma City 722,140 (5 Fortune 1000)
50 New Orleans 641,620 (1 Fortune 1000)
51 Memphis 633,930 (6 Fortune 1000)

Source: 2017 Nielsen DMA Rankings – Full List: https://www.lyonspr.com/latest-nielsen-dma-rankings/

(Fortune 1000 companies) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Fortune_1000_companies_by_urban_area

MSA/Urban populations:


39 Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI MSA 1,576,236 GR+1.31%/Urban 595,351 GR+0.09%
41 Oklahoma City, OK MSA 1,383,737 GR+10.44%/Urban 643,648 GR+10.97%
42 Memphis, TN-MS-AR MSA 1,348,260 GR+1.77%/Urban 652,236 GR+0.83%
46 New Orleans-Metairie, LA MSA 1,275,762 GR +7.22%/Urban 393,292 GR +14.39%
48 Salt Lake City, UT MSA 1,203,105 GR+10.59%/Urban 200,544 GR +7.56%

Sources:


MSA Populations - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_metropolitan_statistical_areas

Urban cities populations: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_cities_by_population

Facilities for NBA 5 smallest markets listed by seating capacity

20 Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City


opened: 1991
capacity: 18,303
cost: $168,010,000
cost Per Seat: $9,179

21 Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City


opened: 2002
capacity: 18,203
cost: $122,970,000
cost Per Seat: $6,755


22 FedExForum, Memphis


opened: 2004
capacity: 18,119
cost: $327,000,000
cost Per Seat: $18,047

28 Wisconsin Entertainment and Sports Center, Milwaukee


opened: 2018
capacity: 17,500
cost: $515,590,000
cost Per Seat: $29,462

29 Smoothie King Center, New Orleans


opened: 1999
capacity: 16,867
cost: $168,300,000
cost Per Seat: $9,978

NBA 2018-19 Attendance: http://www.espn.com/nba/attendance

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/710ssiqfs6L._SY879_.jpg
2019 NBA Dunk Contest Winner

2019 NBA Dunk Contest - Full Highlights | 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWWUHblOmm0

NBA's five smallest markets:

TV Household/Nielsen rankings/Fortune 1000 companies:


34 Salt Lake City 916,960 ...includes whole state (2 Fortune 1000)
35 Milwaukee 895,700 (13 Fortune 1000)
41 Oklahoma City 722,140 (5 Fortune 1000)
50 New Orleans 641,620 (1 Fortune 1000)
51 Memphis 633,930 (6 Fortune 1000)

Source: 2017 Nielsen DMA Rankings – Full List: https://www.lyonspr.com/latest-nielsen-dma-rankings/

(Fortune 1000 companies) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Fortune_1000_companies_by_urban_area

MSA/Urban populations:


39 Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI MSA 1,576,236 GR+1.31%/Urban 595,351 GR+0.09%
41 Oklahoma City, OK MSA 1,383,737 GR+10.44%/Urban 643,648 GR+10.97%
42 Memphis, TN-MS-AR MSA 1,348,260 GR+1.77%/Urban 652,236 GR+0.83%
46 New Orleans-Metairie, LA MSA 1,275,762 GR +7.22%/Urban 393,292 GR +14.39%
48 Salt Lake City, UT MSA 1,203,105 GR+10.59%/Urban 200,544 GR +7.56%

Sources:


MSA Populations - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_metropolitan_statistical_areas

Urban cities populations: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_cities_by_population

So, whycum Salt Lake City gets to claim their whole state and none of us other 4 do? I'm certain the Thunder use the statewide team model, and I'm guessing the Pelicans (and maybe the Grizzlies) do.

This gets me to wondering who is more popular in Little Rock and Arkansas overall, the Thunder or The Grizzlies? Or someone else?

Why SLC gets to claim their whole state? Don't know, was first made aware of this from poster HotRod. Welcome he or anyone to chime in.

Utah doesn't appear to have two large markets like OKC-TUL who support the Thunder; together the OKC-TUL markets combine for a whopping 1.2 million TV households (FoxOklahoma caters to this dual viewership). IMO, OKC-TUL should be considered one market.

The largest cities in Utah excluding SLC are West Valley City & Provo very similar in proximity as Moore-Norman & Edmond-Guthrie are to Oklahoma City.

Facilities for NBA 5 smallest markets listed by seating capacity

20 Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City


opened: 1991
capacity: 18,303
cost: $168,010,000
cost Per Seat: $9,179

21 Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City


opened: 2002
capacity: 18,203
cost: $122,970,000
cost Per Seat: $6,755


22 FedExForum, Memphis


opened: 2004
capacity: 18,119
cost: $327,000,000
cost Per Seat: $18,047

28 Wisconsin Entertainment and Sports Center, Milwaukee


opened: 2018
capacity: 17,500
cost: $515,590,000
cost Per Seat: $29,462

29 Smoothie King Center, New Orleans


opened: 1999
capacity: 16,867
cost: $168,300,000
cost Per Seat: $9,978

NBA 2018-19 Attendance: http://www.espn.com/nba/attendance

Don't have a problem with The Peake, we built an arena a lot less inexpensive (per seat) than many NBA-NHL markets. Its original design was to accommodate NHL ice hockey more-so than NBA basketball. An ice plant in The Peake, who knows the challenges the city would have encountered.

If the NHL had more faith in OKC, they would have enjoyed a very robust OKC market with support from Tulsa & Wichita. NHL didn't think OKC could build a quality arena on $90 million.

The NHL IMO would have thrived and been just as competitive or better than NHL markets like Columbus & Carolina (Raleigh). Carolina won an NHL Stanley Cup championship in 2006 after relocation from Hartford (too close to Boston) in 1997. The ice hockey seating capacity for The Peake (then Ford Center) was listed at 17,069 when then Mayor Ron Norick & Clay Bennett first applied for 1997 expansion.

OKC's potential franchise support--16,000 die-heart fan base. Rivals cities more likely include St. Louis, Dallas, Colorado, Chicago, Nashville Phoenix & LA .

NHL Attendance: http://www.espn.com/nhl/attendance

.

https://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n125/lbrownie/tim-donaghy.jpg

How former ref Tim Donaghy conspired to fix NBA games: http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25980368/how-former-ref-tim-donaghy-conspired-fix-nba-games

^that’s a fascinating article. Amazing someone (NBA) could urge a conclusion that he wasn’t “fixing” games - he was just betting not he game he was calling. OK, then.

NBA "Dance" Moments

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y64NnV37Tlg
Guys gone wild...

NBA Finals start tonight. Raptors a 1 point home court favorite in game 1. GS is still the series favorite at -280 to -300 range.

Obviously want the Raptors to win (like everyone else not in San Francisco). But part of me wants to see the revamped hate on KD's departure from OKC if the Warriors were to win without him playing (which they definitely could). However, I suspect KD will sit until they lose a game, then he will be activated.

NBA Finals start tonight. Raptors a 1 point home court favorite in game 1. GS is still the series favorite at -280 to -300 range.

Hard to reconcile the Warriors being series favorites, yet the home team that has a possible 4 games in the series is favored to win at home.

I am on board with Anon. I only want the Warriors to win if KD does not play.

What a game by Siakam. When the Raptors played the Thunder I noticed how good a player he was but last night he was off the charts. Nice start by the Raptors. And had a little Draymond - Drake run in to boot.:)

KD ruptured Achilles. Warriors still got the W. Now all cards in place for GSW to come back from a 3-1 deficit without KD. NBA is the greatest drama sport ever.

Very good article about KD's situation and options going forward...

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/26933637/durant-free-agency-options-means-warriors

Very good article about KD's situation and options going forward...

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/26933637/durant-free-agency-options-means-warriors

Wish K. D. a successful recovery where he is able to perform next season.

KD ruptured Achilles. Warriors still got the W. Now all cards in place for GSW to come back from a 3-1 deficit without KD. NBA is the greatest drama sport ever.

Psst. Toronto is 3-0 this season in Oakland.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUbOQKKC_PU

Warriors lose all three NBA final games at home.

Trump wouldn't be president if we'd voted no to the $500,000,000 tax subsidy to the Thunder. You idiots are responsible....

Trump wouldn't be president if we'd voted no to the $500,000,000 tax subsidy to the Thunder. You idiots are responsible....

what the hell are you talking about ... crazy town per normal

Klay tore his ACL last night. He was in full Klay Game 6 mode, too. Without him and KD the Warriors still took it to the wire. Amazing how stacked that team really is. If you took two of the best 3 players from any other team, they would get wrecked by full strength TOR.

Congrats to the Raptors. With what looks like the end of the GSW dynasty for at least one upcoming season, the West is looking like a shootout. Hopefully we have some summer moves and get Dre back to get OKC in the hunt.

Unfortunate series & night for the Warriors. Close out Oracle Arena with 3 straight losses; can't recall this ever happening to an NBA team in the finals. They did put up a fight.

Injuries happen; it happened to Harden & Paul (w Houston) when GSW won one of their rings. Never saw the injury bug attack a team like it attacked the 2019 GSW.

Raptors didn't have a player on roster drafted higher than 15th. Pretty amazing.

the Warriors have played almost another season of games the last few years with all the deep playoff runs. All those games finally came back to haunt them and the injury bug finally came.

https://ukathletics.com/images/2018/9/17/Washington_PJ_2018.jpg?width=300
Age: 20, Position: Forward, Height 6-8, Weight 228, Wingspan: 7’2.25” College: Kentucky
Stat line: 15.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 blocks, Home Town: Dallas, Texas

Sophomore: Declared for the 2019 NBA Draft and plans to stay in it, forgoing his remaining collegiate eligibility.

P.J. Washington could be a draft day steal for the OKC Thunder


https://imagesvc.timeincapp.com/v3/fan/image?url=https://thunderousintentions.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1134356651-420x260.jpeg&c=sc&w=595&h=368
Kentucky forward, P.J. Washington is getting high praise around the NBA. TI analyzes if P.J. Washington would be a good fit for the OKC Thunder.

It’s no secret that the OKC Thunder are in win-now mode with two established stars in Paul George and Russell Westbrook. The big issue? Their lack of shooters. Rumors have spread that OKC is aggressively looking to trade their 21st overall pick in order to get a veteran shooter, but until all is set in stone, anything is possible.

Assuming the Thunder keep their 21st overall pick, they will most likely be going after a shooter. If they are somehow able to draft P.J. Washington, that will be a major steal. In many mock drafts, Washington has gone in the lottery, so for him to fall to OKC’s pick would be huge.

With the NBA playoffs coming to a close, these days leading up to the draft will be nothing short of exciting.

Source: Thunderous Intentions, by Brayden Koch

Utah traded for Mike Conley. They're a legit title contender now. Man, the West is brutal. Everyone is gearing up with a wounded Golden State.

Thunder selected Brandon Clarke

NBA Draft 2019: Brandon Clarke drafted by the Thunder with the 21st pick, will go to Memphis: https://www.midmajormadness.com/2019/6/20/18683683/nba-draft-2019-brandon-clarke-oklahoma-city-thunder-memphis-grizzlies-gonzaga


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcZrTLJLVBU

PF: 6-8, 209 lbs., | Class of 2018 - 2019 G-League Hometown: Cincinnati, OH

There was a good NY Times article on Bazley in 2018 when he became the New Balance “intern”. Not sure link will work but hopefully,..

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/22/sports/darius-bazley-g-league-new-balance.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjReCtR05S8

.

NBA free agency tracker 2019: Full list of signings, best available players.
https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/sites/csnphilly/files/styles/article_hero_image/public/2019/06/28/190628-haberstroh-fa-tracker.jpg?itok=mg3zRv9X

Sporting News: NBA Free Agency Tracker: https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/nba-free-agency-tracker-2019-signings-list-best-available-players/1g1ylawp9wfu4zyoga75x3isz

Adrian Wojnarowski
‏Verified account @wojespn
16m16 minutes ago

Sources: Warriors are waiving guard Shaun Livingston, who is guaranteed $2M of his $7.7M salary for season. Livingston, 33, is determined to continue playing and becomes one more valuable free agent candidate for contenders. He’s won three NBA titles and reached five Finals: https://twitter.com/wojespn?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ct wgr%5Eauthor

.
New Orleans Pelicans:

https://img.bleacherreport.net/img/images/photos/003/836/141/hi-res-b953d9dad796f984d84ed63bfc901602_crop_north.jpg?h= 533&w=800&q=70&crop_x=center&crop_y=top

Report: Zion Williamson in 'Tremendous Spirits,' Has 'Attacked' Injury Rehab: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2860832-report-zion-williamson-in-tremendous-spirits-has-attacked-injury-rehab

David Stern, former NBA commissioner, dead at 77

https://media.breitbart.com/media/2020/01/wi/ap/01/f3f798_obit-stern-basketball-57435-david-stern-in-2009-file-photo-nba-commissioner-640x454.jpg

https://www.kremp.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/S/i/Sincerity-Casket-Spray-std.jpg

"David Stern, the former NBA commissioner who reshaped the league and presided over its skyrocketing growth for three decades, has died, the league said Wednesday. He was 77.
Stern died as a result of the brain hemorrhage he suffered approximately three weeks ago. His wife, Dianne, and their family were with him at his bedside, the NBA said. "

CNN Link: https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/01/us/david-stern-nba-obit/index.html

https://usatftw.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/122.jpg?w=643&h=482

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ed2VlSKiTQc/hqdefault.jpg

Commissioner David Stern was very instrumental in the relocation of the Supersonics to Oklahoma City in 2007-09.

There are some great articles about David Stern on The Athletic. Very interesting guy. Apparently had quite a reputation for cussing people out, but always ended the conversation or phone call cordially. Unique talent!:)

There are some great articles about David Stern on The Athletic. Very interesting guy. Apparently had quite a reputation for cussing people out, but always ended the conversation or phone call cordially. Unique talent!:)

Sounds like Harry Truman:


http://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/9781402217159_p0_v1_s1200x630.jpg

NBA December banner month, recognizes Thunder head coach Billy Donovan & Player Dennis Schroder, player of the week..

https://usatthunderwire.files.wordpress.com/2020/01/img_5350.jpg

Billy Donovan was recognized for the Thunder’s play throughout December — in which they went 11-4.

The NBA has named Oklahoma City’s head coach the Western Conference Coach of the Month for games played in December.

https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Thunder-news-Dennis-Schroder_s-4th-20-5-5-game-off-the-bench-puts-him-in-rare-company.jpg
OKC Thunder reserve guard Dennis Schroder was named the Western Conference NBA player of week nine action.

Here’s the full list of NBA franchise valuations, per Forbes:


_1. New York Knicks: $4.6 billion
_2. Los Angeles Lakers: $4.4 billion
_3. Golden State Warriors: $4.3 billion
_4. Chicago Bulls: $3.2 billion
_5. Boston Celtics: $3.1 billion
_6. Los Angeles Clippers: $2.6 billion
_7. Brooklyn Nets: $2.5 billion
_8. Houston Rockets: $2.475 billion
_9. Dallas Mavericks: $2.4 billion
10. Toronto Raptors: $2.1 billion


11. Philadelphia 76ers: $2 billion
12. Miami Heat: $1.95 billion
13. Portland Trail Blazers: $1.85 billion
14. San Antonio Spurs: $1.8 billion
15. Sacramento Kings: $1.775 billion
16. Washington Wizards: $1.75 billion
17. Phoenix Suns: $1.625 billion
18. Denver Nuggets: $1.6 billion
19. Milwaukee Bucks: $1.58 billion
20. Oklahoma City Thunder: $1.575 billion


21. Utah Jazz: $1.55 billion
22. Indiana Pacers: $1.525 billion
23. Atlanta Hawks: $1.52 billion
24. Cleveland Cavaliers: $1.51 billion
25. Charlotte Hornets: $1.5 billion
26. Detroit Pistons: $1.45 billion
27. Orlando Magic: $1.43 billion
28. Minnesota Timberwolves: $1.375 billion
29. New Orleans Pelicans: $1.35 billion
30. Memphis Grizzlies: $1.3 billion

Source: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2020/02/forbes-releases-2020-nba-franchise-valuations.html

The Thunder were purchased for around $350 million. And now worth $1.5 billion. That's incredible. And we're clocking in at number 20, again, incredible. I believe we're either the smallest or second smallest market in the NBA. Pretty damn impressive.

Thunder: Lack of hotels keeping Oklahoma City from hosting NBA All-Star game.

Question response: I'd like to see the NBA All-Star game in Oklahoma City some day, replied Trae Young.

"I think the fan base is amazing," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "Best fans I've been around in a long time. They're loyal and they love basketball." --replied Shai.

"NBA requires 6,000 rooms near the arena and wants them to be four-star. Even with (the) Omni we're just not anywhere near that." --"I get this question from time to time," Holt tweeted.

Not to be a downer as I love the strides OKC has made, but all star weekend here would be a disaster. Aside from hotel rooms, the entertainment options around the city are not up to par with those in major cities. We’re getting there, but we’re nowhere close yet.

The next few NBA All Star Games locatoins have been set...

2021- Indianapolis - 24th NBA Market Size
2022 - Cleveland - 20th NBA Market Size
2023- Salt Lake City - 25th NBA Market Size

OKC is 28th in Market Size.

I understand the Indy and SLC choices, as those cities have hosted major sporting events before, but if Cleveland can host an all-star game, OKC really shouldn't be too far off.

OKC can host, they just need to build about 3-4 Omni like hotels downtown. Don't forget OKC hosted the NBA Finals back in 2012, which is next biggest NBA event after the All-Star Game. The probably is, downtown is overbuilt with 2-3 star 4 story cheap hotels.

Omni has pretty much eliminated that sort of competition with their agreement with the city.