The Maloof family has agreed to sell the Sacramento Kings to a Seattle group led by investor Chris Hansen, two people familiar with the decision said Sunday night.
The people spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because the deal is still pending approval from the NBA Board of Governors.
One person said the Maloofs are selling all 65 percent of their share for 525 million to Hansen, who will move the team to Seattle and restore the SuperSonics name.
The sale figure is a total valuation of the franchise, which includes relocations fees. Hansen's group also is hoping to buy out other minority investors.
The Maloofs will receive a 30 million non-refundable deposit on Feb. 1, according to the deal, one person said. They will still be allowed to receive other offers until the league approves the sale.
Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson said last week he had received permission from NBA Commissioner David Stern to present a counteroffer to league owners from buyers who would keep the Kings in Sacramento.
The deadline for teams to apply for a move for the next season is March 1.
NBA
Suns name Lindsey Hunter interim coach
PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns have turned to a man with 17 years of experience as an NBA player, but none as a coach, to take over the flagging team that hasn't been this bad halfway through a season in a quarter century.
Lindsey Hunter, the team's player development director, was picked as its interim coach Sunday, two days after the Suns and Alvin Gentry parted ways in what the organization said was a mutual agreement.
Hunter got the nod over more experienced options - assistant coaches Elston Turner, Dan Majerle and Igor Kokoskov.
"I think the simple answer is that the organization needed a jolt," general manager Lance Blanks said. "We needed something that would shock the system of us, the players, and risk trumps safety in this business. We felt this was the right person to take the risk on."
Hunter, 40, is the coach for the remaining 41 games of the season.
After that, Blanks said, "we'll open things back up and at that time select the best candidate, which may or may not be Lindsey."
Heat sign Chris Andersen to 10-day contract
MIAMI -- Chris Andersen wore a stars-and-stripes headband Sunday morning, showed off the colorful array of tattoos that stretch from his neck to his ankles and virtually all spots in between, and spoke about himself in the third person.
He's got 10 days to make an impression on the Miami Heat.
Seems like he's already off to a good start.
The veteran forward-center signed a 10-day deal with the Heat on Sunday and worked out with his new club for the first time. For a team that's looking for rebounding help, Andersen - who hasn't appeared in an NBA game since playing with Denver last March - is hoping that he will be the answer.
"This opportunity and being with the defending champs, it's a dream come true," Andersen said. "They're taking a chance with me and I'm here to give them everything I've got, defensively, diving on the floor, blocking shots, you know, the usual that a Birdman does and what Birdman brings."
Birdman is the nickname he's had for years. The Heat are more than a little curious to find out if he can still fly.
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