I want nothing more than for the Kings to stay in Sacramento. But in no way should this news about Virginia Beach lead the city to come crawling back to the Maloofs with concessions or public money for a Sleep Train Arena retrofit. Because Virginia Beach is a long ways away. Public polling in Virginia Beach has been decidedly mixed, and I imagine that for the rest of the state, it's more negative. Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell can't run for re-election — that state prohibits consecutive terms for its governors — but he almost assuredly has aims up the ladder, potentially for U.S. Senate. He's a Republican, and spending public funds for a private project might not be politically appetizing. In addition, the city's own council seemed mixed on the project (though it's easy to get wound up and excited about such things when they start rolling).

Virginia Beach remains a ways off, but the fact that instead of engaging Sacramento the Maloofs are flirting with similar markets, to me, shows desperation. I can only hope that if the desperation is well-founded then the NBA demands that Sacramento buyers be given the first crack at the club. I don't think anyone mentioned as a Sacramento savior wants to have a bidding war with Chris Hansen. So our efforts to convince NBA owners that the league belongs in Sacramento is more important than ever. #HereWeStayNBA