The Warriors plan to host the Kings at KeyArena on Oct. 6 in a preseason game, and "all that is left is for the parties to sign and submit the contract," which is a "mere formality," according to sources cited by Ailene Voisin of the SACRAMENTO BEE. The Kings "are game" for the matchup in Seattle, and the Warriors "really want to do this." Warriors F Kevin Durant, who played his rookie year with the Sonics, "undoubtedly has been consulted and presumably has no objection." Warriors President & COO Rick Welts is the "brains behind the move." Welts "grew up in Seattle" and worked for the Sonics from '79-89. Welts is "delivering an assist to his hometown, pushing for a reconciliation and re-introduction, along with an opportunity to re-ignite the intensely passionate" discussion about "bringing back the Sonics, via expansion or (gulp) relocation" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 2/22). THE ATHLETIC's Anthony Slater writes this is "no surprise," as most of the Warriors' decision-makers "rave about the Pacific Northwest." The team "went to Vancouver for a preseason game two seasons ago." The Warriors "may have played a preseason game" in Seattle this past October, if "not for the pre-planned China trip." The game in Seattle will be one "many in the franchise anticipate, maybe no one more than Durant." Durant said of potentially playing in Seattle, “That'll be amazing. I hope that goes through. The fans in Seattle definitely deserve basketball” (THEATHLETIC.com, 2/22).
