Report: David Stern Determined to Get NBA Franchise Back in Seattle Before Retiring

David Stern's tenure as NBA commissioner has been transformational. That could mean a variety of things, but for fans in Seattle, it's meant a great deal of disappointment.

Perhaps the grief will soon subside, though. According to Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, league sources have indicated that Stern is determined to get a franchise back to Seattle between now and his 2014 departure.

Obviously, a lot would have to happen before the second coming of the Seattle SuperSonics — or whatever it is that they'll be called — take the hardwood, but it's at least some encouraging news for those Pacific Northwest NBA fans still reeling from their team's move to Oklahoma City. The team, of course, relocated after the 2007-08 season.

Wojnarowski reports that Stern has become a strong ally of Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer's group, which is reportedly trying to buy the Kings in an effort to move the franchise to Seattle.

So, for now, the disappointment in the Emerald City still lingers. But hang tight, because there could be hope.

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