Rumors

The Kings resemble the Steelers in few conceivable ways. One has continuity in ownership and a healthy distance between the front office. The other does not, though team sources say Vivek Ranadive has kept his word in allowing Scott Perry full decision-making freedom the past four months.

ESPN

Sam Amick: To be clear here, there is no pushback from Kings owner Vivek Ranadive regarding their current plan. The point, which was said in a big-picture sense, is that Scott Perry is making it clear - from the top on down - that they need to be very patient and prudent here.

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The Milwaukee Bucks have conducted background due diligence on Zach LaVine and others around the league, as usual, sources told HoopsHype. However, nothing is imminent as Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo nears a return from a low-grade adductor strain. Should Milwaukee’s interest in LaVine become more serious, it’s worth noting that Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma and Kings Governor Vivek Ranadive both invested in a new women’s professional sports venture called Major League Volleyball, and Kuzma has been linked to the Kings via trade rumors for several seasons.

HoopsHype

Well, that’s definitely something that people will want to know more about. I’ve reported in the past, before you came back that Vivek played a significant part in the decision to fire Mike Brown last year, that he played a significant part in the decision to trade De’Aaron, specifically, for Zach (LaVine, who was with the Chicago Bulls, in a three-team deal). And there’s been a reality for a long time now that his involvement made things more challenging for people in the front office. So how would you characterize the way that it has functioned so far and your level of confidence that the dynamic can be healthy? Scott Perry: When I used the word autonomy, I meant that. I’m not someone — and you know me well enough — that I’m not someone who will give lip service or say something that’s not actual truth or fact. So as the fan base examines and looks at moves, they need to look at it … from the time I got here to however long I’m going to be here. I’m going to have the ultimate autonomy and authority to make what I believe are the necessary decisions to give the fan base — this fan base that’s been yearning for winning for so long — an opportunity to have that type of team to cheer for. But we’re a ways away from that now, obviously. I want them to feel comfortable and confident in my years of experience in this position, as well as a number of the members of my front office, because we do this as a collective. We will eventually get where we want to go, and people (will be) proud of the product that they see on the floor.

New York Times

MrBuckBuck: The Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé and the front office looked visually displeased all game and left late in the 3rd quarter. …

x.com

It wasn’t until after practice that the players learned that something was wrong. They were called into a meeting room by Anjali Ranadive, the team’s general manager and the daughter of Vivek Ranadive, a co-owner of the Sacramento Kings. She and Stockton’s coach, Lindsey Harding, broke the news to the team. Chance Comanche hadn’t been called up — he had been taken into custody. “They told us that Chance was arrested, and that was all the detail that they gave us,” Stephens said. “Your mind immediately starts wandering, ‘What was it?’ I was thinking of something small, like parking tickets. Never in a million years would I have guessed what was coming.”

New York Times

After conducting interviews and perceiving inconsistencies in Harnden’s story, the police obtained a search warrant for her home and car and seized two iPhones and an iPad. Then they saw the messages. On Dec. 13, they arrested Harnden. Two days later, they arrested Comanche. Harnden refused to speak to detectives, but the police said Comanche confessed and even provided a “pinpoint” location of Rodgers’s remains, which until then had gone undiscovered. The news of Comanche’s arrest, and the details of the crimes he was accused of committing, reverberated back through his life. Teammates and coaches from high school, college and pro teams checked and then double- and triple-checked their messages — and their memories. Eman Rafalian, who played with Comanche at Beverly Hills High School, remembered him walking into a party at Rafalian’s house hoisting a trophy after their team had won a basketball tournament. “I think he was easily influenced by the people around him, and that’s the only way I can make sense of any of this,” Rafalian said.

New York Times

Sam Amick: There is a sense from some people involved that there's a real reluctance not only to finally “quit him,” if you will, but also to see him go up the road to another Northern California NBA team. It’s run by a guy in Vivek Ranadivé, who used to be with the Warriors. And what if Kuminga blows up and becomes a total star? From a personal ownership dynamic level, there are some folks that feel like that could be playing a small part. Again, that's not really relevant, because these other things are the real obstacles. But I mean, Joe—like a lot of owners—is very involved, too.

YouTube

Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive was spotted in Tampere, Finland, watching the game between Germany and Montenegro, with the Kings’ new guard Dennis Schroder leading Germany to a win.

BasketNews

Sam Amick on Vivek Ranadivé's media silence: "I had someone text me the other day. They were trying to dig up to see if it was accurate, like the last time Vivek did a lengthy basketball-related on-record interview, and it literally might have been when I spoke to him for USA Today like a decade ago."

YouTube

Jake Fischer: I think Doug Christie is probably in a very strong position to retain that role, being that the owner, Vivek Ranadivé, is very much known to be a supporter of his. He's known, generally and characteristically, to be a supporter of former players in head coaching capacities. For example, Mark Jackson was someone that Vivek wanted to hire years ago — before they even hired Mike Brown. So, I'm expecting as of now, until I hear otherwise, that Doug Christie will be retaining that chair moving forward.

YouTube

James Ham: "He has pledged his support and his resources." -Scott Perry on Vivek Ranadivé and building a sustainable winner

Twitter

Sean Cunningham: Vivek Ranadivé on hiring Scott Perry as GM of the Sacramento Kings: “Scott brings a wealth of experience, a sharp basketball mind, & a strong track record of building talented rosters. He shares our commitment to developing and sustaining a winning culture & I am excited to welcome him back to Sacramento.”

Twitter

Monte McNair: Five years ago, I was given the opportunity of a lifetime. I’ll always be grateful to Vivek and the entire Kings organization for taking a chance on me. The Beam Team brought so much joy to so many. Thank you to the players, coaches, and staff who played such a vital role in creating those special moments and memories. To the Sacramento community—thank you for welcoming and embracing me and my family. We arrived as a family of four and leave as a family of six. As a California kid, this truly felt like a dream homecoming. To Kings fans—you’re simply the best. I’ll never forget the deafening roar before Game 1 or the countless other unforgettable moments we shared. There will be many more beams in the Kings’ future. LTB, Monte

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