{I wrote this for a website I in part created for a Folsom Lake College club-- www.folsomlaketalon.com}

Yahoo! Sports is reporting the Maloof family is nearing a deal to sell the Kings that would result in their move to Seattle. By all accounts the deal is close enough that they would play in Seattle next season as the Seattle SuperSonics.

This would be the death of the Sacramento Kings, on more than one level. When the Sonics moved to Oklahoma City they left behind the name and the history. With the Kings moving they would then inherit the Sonics history meaning the Kings would be no more.

While I can understand the excitement for Seattle fans whose team was stripped from them five years ago, it is a shame that the cost will be the same sadness and loss for Sacramento fans that the Seattle fans have endured. David Stern let Clay Bennett buy the Sonics knowing he wanted to move the franchise to his hometown. And apparently Stern regrets the decision. But by allowing Chris Hansen and Steve Ballmer to buy the Kings he will make the same mistake attempting to fix the first one.

What is apparent in this story is the disregard of Sacramento by the Maloofs. Stern, and the other owners, could step in and stop this by not approving the sale. They could not support the relocation plans. IF they care about Sacramento. We know Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson does. And we know the Maloofs do not.

What truly shows the Maloofs disregard for Sacramento is by attempting to sell to somebody who wants to move the team. There are people (Ron Burkle) who want to buy the team and KEEP THEM IN SACRAMENTO! (Sorry for the caps). For whatever reason they went down the path that would lead the team away from Sacramento. Lead the team away from the city and the fans that have supported the franchise that they have owned for over a decade. Away from the fans that have supported the Maloofs until they wanted out.

The decision was made to allow the Sonics to leave. It would be a shame to sacrifice a city and a fan base to make up for a past mistake. Seattle probably should have a team. But not this team. #Herewestay #Letusmatch