Lakers, Clippers To Block Kings Move To Anaheim?

Last week, we mentioned the Sacramento Kings proposed move to Anaheim and wondered whether or not the two teams currently playing in Southern California would have anything to say about it.

According to Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News, they do:

The move to Anaheim will be opposed by the Lakers and Clippers, who see it as an encroachment on their territory. But sources close to the Maloofs say they're willing to pay the two L.A. teams whatever it takes to relocate. That would be in addition to the league's relocation fee of $30 million.

Neither the Lakers nor the Clippers have given any indication on how much it will take for them to allow the Kings to settle into Orange County. Whatever the initial number is, you can expect the always avaricious Donald Sterling to bump that number up. Even so, the Maloofs already have an offer to help with paying the added costs thanks to billionaire Henry Samueli, who owns both the Anaheim Ducks and the Honda Center where the Kings propose to play.

If Samueli believes this show of generosity will help him get a piece of the club, he'll have to rethink that. The Maloofs have said that they have no intention of selling the club, even a portion of it.

Fans in Sacramento have done their best to show support for the club in hopes of keeping them in the Capital City, but most news outlets (and even the mayor) are resigned to the idea that they are losing the team. Ownership still has until April 18th to make a final decision and it must still be approved by the NBA Board of Governors. Plus, there's still that pesky little detail of a lockout and how it would affect any franchise moves.

(H/T ProBasketballTalk)