NBA Commissioner David Stern spoke with Jonathan Feigan of the Houston Chronicle on Thursday, and had several choice quotes that were relayed on Twitter through various outlets. Stern remained predictably non-committal. Stern said that is was bad a idea to leave Sacramento, while also saying that it was a good idea for the NBA to return to Seattle. While one might think that this indicates expansion, Stern touched on that topic and said that he doesn't believe expansion is an option.

Also, in a note that may be surprising to folks who have assumed to Kings-to-Seattle situation is already a done deal, Stern clarified that the NBA does not have an approved arena deal in Seattle.

Stern to @jonathan_feigen: "We have no approved plan for an arena in Seattle."

— Aaron Bruski (@aaronbruski) February 14, 2013

"We have a very good potential ownership group and set of plans, but there's a lot of work to be done."

— Aaron Bruski (@aaronbruski) February 14, 2013

Stern also said Seattle has "no approved plan for an arena." Same thing Hansen said in longshoremen's lawsuit..

— Dale Kasler (@dakasler) February 14, 2013

Stern played both sides saying, "The idea of leaving Sacramento is not a good one.The idea of going back to Seattle is a good idea."

— Aaron Bruski (@aaronbruski) February 14, 2013

Stern: "I haven't heard anything about expansion from our owners....I don't think expansion is an option."

— Aaron Bruski (@aaronbruski) February 14, 2013

In addition to the quotes from Stern, Aaron Bruski passed along some addition insights regarding the current situation with the arena in Seattle.

The fact is that SEA does not have an arena deal, and challenges to their deal could keep the Sonics in Key for 4-5 years.

— Aaron Bruski (@aaronbruski) February 14, 2013

Right now Seattle, King county, and Hansen are arguing that they do not have an arena deal in the longshoreman's suit.

— Aaron Bruski (@aaronbruski) February 14, 2013

The judge in ILWU case will potentially rule on 2/22, one remedy is to nullify the current MOU Hansen is pitching to the NBA

— Aaron Bruski (@aaronbruski) February 14, 2013

Unlike CA which has an newly enacted expedited environmental review, Seattle's EIR could take up to a year, in particular w/ traffic issues

— Aaron Bruski (@aaronbruski) February 14, 2013

There is also a challenge under Seattle's I-91 law which requires a profit to be made off of any public funding of sports arenas.

— Aaron Bruski (@aaronbruski) February 14, 2013

The law was voted in by a 75% vote. Sources say it would be political suicide to consider a repeal if I-91 challenges derail SEA's plans.

— Aaron Bruski (@aaronbruski) February 14, 2013

Bottom line is that reports suggesting SEA has an arena deal, or that 'Kings to SEA' is a done deal were extremely premature

— Aaron Bruski (@aaronbruski) February 14, 2013

Certainly a lot of information to digest there. One thing is clear, this ordeal is far from over.