Nets Owner Mikhail Prokhorov yesterday reiterated that he "will not sell a majority share" of the Nets. He said, “I never intended to sell the team and have looked at selling only the minority stake. And for the time being there is nothing on the table. ... If somebody wants to send me any kind of proposal, why not? Just to have a look. But we’re only speaking about minority stakes in the team.” Prokhorov added that there have been "'approximately' 10 offers for his shares." He also indicated that he "won’t make changes to the staff or front office" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/9). Prokhorov also said that he "would be willing to pay the luxury tax again next season if it’s necessary to put a championship-level team on the floor." Also in N.Y., Tim Bontemps notes if the Nets pay the luxury tax next season, they will "become the first team to pay the more expensive 'repeater tax'” (N.Y. POST, 4/9).
CENTER OF ATTENTION: ESPN.com's Marc Stein cited sources as saying that Kings VP/Basketball & Franchise Operations Vlade Divac "has quietly emerged as the new lead voice" of the front office. Sources said that Divac "is indeed regarded as the team's top basketball official by owner Vivek Ranadive." The Kings have "yet to formally announce their new power structure." But sources said that Divac "has supplanted" GM Pete D'Alessandro as "lead basketball decision-maker." The future of D'Alessandro now "is unclear." Sources said that the Kings "have already launched a search to add another front-line basketball executive to work alongside Divac whether D'Alessandro stays or departs" (ESPN.com, 4/8).
MAGIC MAN: In Orlando, Mike Bianchi notes Magic CEO Alex Martins has "not an iota of ambiguity about the job performance" of his GM Rob Hennigan. Martins: "Rob has maximized our return on every single transaction he's been a part of from a player personnel standpoint. He has taken our roster and assets, built and improved upon them and is putting the pieces in place for sustained, long-term success." Bianchi writes that "should put to rest any rumors or rumblings that Magic management is getting impatient and beginning to second-guess Hennigan's long and painful rebuilding plan" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 4/9).
LOTTERY TICKETS: In L.A., Eric Pincus notes the Lakers are “readying their season-ticket holders for next year's campaign,” but there is a “catch,” as the deadline set to renew -- May 18 -- is exactly one day ahead of the NBA Draft lottery. Some fans “will be happy to renew just to see Kobe Bryant's likely swan song,” and marketing to just that, the Lakers “have their All-Star adorning the outside and inside covers of the renewal folder." Ticket prices “did not increase, an apparent acknowledgment of the team's recent struggles” (L.A. TIMES, 4/9).
