David Stern will retire on Feb. 1, 2014 as commissioner of the NBA, and one of his final goals is to bring a franchise back to Seattle, according to sources.

Stern has become an ally of Steve Ballmer's group. Ballmer has been trying to get the Maloof family to sell the Sacramento Kings.

Sources say the league office is putting increased pressure on the Maloofs to sell the Kings.

"Stern has enough time to get a team back to Seattle, but he'll let Silver deal with the crowd [booing] on opening night," said a source.

Robert Pera's transfer of ownership of the Memphis Grizzlies has been unanimously approved by the NBA's board of governors.

Pera purchased the Grizzlies from Michael Heisley.

The subject of David Stern's retirement timeline and a succession plan to replace him was discussed at the NBA's board of governors meeting.

Stern will retire on Feb. 1, 2014.

Stern has been commissioner since Feb. 1, 1984.

Deputy commissioner Adam Silver has been picked by the board of governors to replace Stern.

"I told (the owners) that it's been a great run that will continue for another 15 months," said Stern. "The league is in terrific condition."

The NBA wants to reduce the time players spend with pregame handshakes and rituals that have become increasingly prevalent in recent years.

Players must be ready for tipoff 90 seconds after player introductions are finished.

"There's a 90-second countdown, it is placed on the clock," NBA spokesman Tim Frank said. "At 30 seconds, there's a warning horn and alert by the refs. At the end, teams need to be ready to tip off or face a delay-of-game warning."

Games have routinely taken five minutes or longer to begin after the starting lineups were announced.

"I personally don't like it," Kevin Durant told The Oklahoman. "Every player in this league has routines they do with their teammates, rituals they do before the game and before they walk on the floor. The fans enjoy it. You see the fans mimicking the guys who do their stuff before the game. To cut that down really don't make no sense."

Derek Fisher is free to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The NBA's new CBA states that a player traded and then waived by the team that acquired him can't re-sign with his original team, or until the traded contract runs out, whichever arrives first.

Fisher was bought out by the Rockets before he was eligible to invoke his option for 12-13, which made Fisher a full free agent on July 1st.

The Lakers have too many point guards on their roster already and are reportedly shopping Steve Blake and Chris Duhon.

Fisher finished last season with the Thunder.

David Stern again spoke of the NBA's consideration of adding sponsorship advertisements to game jerseys.

"It's something that's being discussed by the NBA Board of Governors," said Stern who was in attendance in Milan at the Celtics' 105-75 win over EA7 Emporio Armani. "This is the one forum that understands that advertising on team jerseys has gone on for decades, both in football and in basketball, virtually every other sport."

Stern said he prefers jerseys remain free of ads, but will follow the lead of the owners.

"As a personal matter, I am not in favor of it, but I'm not standing in the way of it," Stern said. "If my board wants to do it, we'll do it."

The NBPA will file a grievance and unfair labor practice charge against the NBA over the new rules in regards to flopping.

"The NBA is not permitted to unilaterally impose new economic discipline without first bargaining with the union," said Billy Hunter.

Hunter described the new fines as an "overreaction and overreach by the commissioner's office."

The NBA has announced a new policy for flopping.

The NBA defines flopping as "any physical act that appears to have been intended to cause the referees to call a foul on another player."

Players will be given a warning for their first offense, followed by a $5k fine for their second offense, $10k for their third, $15k for their fourth and $30k for their fifth fine.

For violations after the fifth incident, players can receive an increase fine and/or suspension.