NBA roundup: NBA gives Kings arena deadline
The NBA is giving the new Sacramento Kings ownership group a 2017 deadline to have a new arena built or risk losing the team to new owners.
The Sacramento Bee reported that the group, which is led by Vivek Ranadive, must meet a series of benchmarks as part of the agreement to own the team. Its purchase of the Kings from the Maloof family for an NBA-record $535 million was finalized this week.
If Ranadive's group does not meet the 2017 deadline, the NBA can arrange for new owners to buy the team and move it to another city. Ranadive plans to have an arena built by 2016.
---Former NBA All-Star guard Mookie Blaylock was upgraded to serious condition, a day after his SUV is believed to have crashed head-on into a van and killed a woman.
Jonesboro Police Chief Franklin Allen said Blaylock's SUV crossed the center line and burst into flames after making impact with the van.
Blaylock was airlifted to Atlanta Medical Center, where he was placed on life support but was taken off that night, police told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
---Los Angeles Clippers executive Gary Sacks told ESPN that Chris Paul had nothing to do with the firing of coach Vinny Del Negro.
The comments came after Clippers owner Donald Sterling earlier suggested that the team fired Del Negro to appease Paul, their point guard who will become a free agent next month.
Paul is reportedly angry with the Clippers after Sterling told the Los Angeles Times, "This is a players' league, and, unfortunately, if you want to win you have to make the players happy."
ESPN reported that Del Negro told people close to him that Paul got him fired.
