Franchise Notes

In Sacramento, Tony Bizjak reports the Kings "have rejected the city of Sacramento's demand for written assurance the team will immediately pay its $77 million city loan if it leaves town." Sacramento officials "asked the Kings last week to state on paper their intention to pay the money they owe before leaving," and they also "sent Anaheim a letter telling it to stop negotiating with the Kings." In a response dated Friday, Kings attorney Scott Zolke "brushed aside the city's request." Zolke wrote the team would contact the city "at the appropriate time ... to establish a process for addressing the proposed timing and details of repayment" of the loan (SACRAMENTO BEE, 4/5).

UNCERTAIN FUTURE: In N.Y., Brian Lewis notes with the option on the final year of Knicks President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh's contract "coming up April 30 for owner James Dolan to exercise, it remains to be seen if Walsh returns." Two NBA sources said that it is "up to Walsh, 70, on whether he comes back next season." One source said that money is a "non-issue, but Walsh had a difficult decision to make as to whether he wanted to return or felt his work at the Garden was complete." Walsh: "My dream from Day 1 is to put this team on the path to a championship level. I don't think it's there now, but we're getting close. That's what I said I'd do in three years. That's what I've done." Lewis notes Walsh's contract "doesn't expire until June 30, so this month's option deadline could pass without resolution" (N.Y. POST, 4/5).

BUSINESS AS USUAL: Jaguars QB David Garrard yesterday said that he "plans to gather receivers and tight ends to a field at Glen Kernan, where the Arena Football League's Jacksonville Sharks practice, for workouts in the next few weeks." He said that "eventually they'll get together at least their 'skelly' group -- receivers, running backs and tight ends -- and might even try to work out against the defense." Garrard: "This is well organized" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 4/5).