NBA commish talks about Seattle, Sacramento - KING5.com

Saturday was a big day in Orlando as NBA Commissioner David Stern talked again about the arena project in Seattle, and his negotiations to get a new arena in Sacramento.

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson smiled after hours of deliberations.

"There is a sincere effort on both sides to see if this deal can happen," he said.

Johnson said he's closed the gap to make an arena deal to keep his Kings in Sacramento and away from Seattle.

"In terms of Seattle, I can empathize for a city that who's lost a team," he said.

But NBA Commissioner David Stern said hurdles remain. He also admitted - after our question - hearing from investor Chris Hansen about the Seattle deal two weeks ago.

"We thought it sounded okay to us, you know, go for it," said Stern.

Does Stern see that as a pathway for the NBA to return to Seattle?

"That would suggest we have a team that we can put there," he said. "Right now what I'm working hard to do in a perverse kind of a way is for Seattle's perspective is to sell New Orleans to stay in New Orleans, and get a building for Seattle, or Sacramento."

"I can't say for sure it's a pathway, I will say the only way to have a team these days is to have a world class building," he said.

Stern declined to answer a hypothetical question: What happens if it doesn't happen in Sacramento, and there is not a deal and…the legislature doesn't do anything in New Orleans, or Louisiana?

"Don't be such a pessimist," said Stern.

Stern will once again meet with Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and the Maloof family in Orlando to see if they can nail down an arena deal.