Las Vegas Still Might Get an NBA Team

All-Star Weekend aside, the Vegas question is still on the table. Stern is trying to figure out just how likely a repeat of last month's nightmare is under less exceptional circumstances. From Mitch Lawrence at the New York Daily News:

Stern has also reached out to people in his inner circle to get their views. His concern, according to a person with whom he talked, centers not on the kind of fan who would attend an ordinary regular-season game, but rather what kind of fan would venture to Vegas to see a playoff or Finals game.

If it's the hip-hop crowd that wreaked havoc upon some stores, restaurants and bars, bringing the league its latest round of bad publicity, Stern doesn't want any part of it, even though the NBA openly embraces and attracts that culture. But those close to him say he has not backed off Vegas as a future NBA city.

Okay, so that's a little problematic. But let's get on to the good stuff: apparently, this team still might happen. First, the city comes up with a solution to the betting issue. Next:

"If the owners go for it, and a majority of them definitely do, then Vegas will have a team in three to five years," said a league source. "We all know the owners will push for an expansion team. They want the huge (expansion) fee, which could total around $500 million. Split 30 ways, that's a lot of money for every team. Now if you're going to move a (current) team into Vegas, then the owners won't get nearly as much with a relocation fee."

Stern's got some non-gang-related hang-ups, like whether a team can compete with The Strip. And with the Maloofs tied into Vegas like they are, a Kings move might be the most likely option. Still, it looks like Stern is still keeping all his options open.