Sacramento faces loss of the NBA Kings

Fans reach out to touch Kings players after a 106-96 loss to the Phoenix Suns at Sleep Train Areana on Jan. 23.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

The Sacramento Kings pay the Phoenix Suns at the Sleep Train Arena on Jan. 23.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, a former NBA star, has made it his mission to keep the Kings from moving out of town because of an ownership change.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

The Sacramento Kings dance team performs during a break in the action between the Kings and the Phoenix Suns at Sleep Train Arena.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

A fan cheers a three-point shot by the Sacramento Kings during a home game against the Phoenix Suns. The team’s owners have reached a deal with Seattle investors to sell the team.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

A mural in downtown Sacramento virtually begs the Maloof family, the owners of the Sacramento Kings, to keep the team in town.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Sacramento Kings merchandise on sale before a game.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

A vast piece of land around the old railyards of Sacramento has been proposed as a possible site for a new arena to house the Sacramento Kings.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

A wall at the MVP sports pub in Sacramento that is devoted to the Kings could become a forgotten part of the city’s history if the new owners of the professional basketball team decide to move the franchise to Seattle.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Downtown Sacramento rises from the banks of the Sacramento River near the historic Tower Bridge.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)