NBA commissioner David Stern is in Oklahoma City tonight to induct Sonics owner Clay Bennett into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.

That will raise eyebrows in Washington, making folks think that Stern and Bennett are colluding to relocate the Sonics to the Sooner State. Heck, folks already believe there is an under-the-table deal to bring this team to Oklahoma.

However, Stern promised to do this for Bennett a long time ago. So, you can put aside the conspiracy theories, although it doesn't bode well for Seattle that Stern had some harsh words for the city.

In an AP story, he said that if Seattle loses the Supersonics, the NBA will not likely return. This is significant for at least one reason: Besides, perhaps, giving Seattle a bit more urgency in terms of trying to save its franchise, it means the name, "Sonics," is probably coming with the team should they relocate.

One thought had been that, as part of a deal, the name, "Sonics," could be retained by the city for a future franchise. However, a future franchise is not part of the equation.