NBA Franchise Notes: Magic To Lose Money Despite Playoff Run

Magic Have Lost Average Of $15M Each Season For Last Six Years

CHANGE WILL DO YOU GOOD: SI.com's Steve Aschburner wrote new T'Wolves President of Basketball Operations David Kahn chose not to keep coach Kevin McHale because the team is "desperate to sell tickets in a horrible economy, as a fading fourth among the Twin Cities' major sports attractions." Kahn Monday said that he was surprised that fans had "such a negative reaction to McHale." In addition, "politics matter," and the belief within the team's basketball department is that "front-office maneuverings are dictating the Wolves' decisions these days." T'Wolves CEO Rob Moor, the son-in-law of Owner Glen Taylor, "took a larger role in Kahn's recruiting and hiring" this offseason, whereas previously he "never had much clout with the basketball side" (SI.com, 6/17).

A FRISCO TREAT: In Denver, Chris Dempsey cites a source as saying that the Mavericks today are expected to announce that they will buy the NBA D-League Colorado 14ers and move the team to the Dallas area by '10. The '08-09 D-League champion 14ers currently are affiliated with the Nuggets, and the Mavericks are expected to continue their affiliation with the Albuquerque Thunderbirds "until the 14ers take hold" in Dallas (DENVER POST, 6/18). A source indicated that the NBA D-League is "ready to place a team" in Frisco, Texas, and a news conference is scheduled for today at American Airlines Center. The Mavericks, the NBA and Frisco officials have "been in talks for nearly two years to bring a team" to the city, and it is "likely the team will play at Dr Pepper Arena" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 6/18).

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