Here's the full transcript of the Tuesday's press conference in Oklahoma City that included Sonics chairman Clay Bennett, NBA Commissioner David Stern and Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett.

Opening Statements:

Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett: I’d personally like to thank Commissioner Stern, his NBA staff and the members of the Relocation Committee that came to Oklahoma City today and allowed us to give our presentation. We had a number of Oklahomans who were there, many of them as part of the presentation but also there in a support role.

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Here's the latest story from the Associated Press on the NBA relocation committee's visit

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Three NBA owners were impressed enough with a presentation Tuesday to believe Oklahoma City should be the future home for the Seattle SuperSonics.

To make his relocation request a reality, Sonics owner Clay Bennett now needs to win over at least 13 more of his peers.

After a tour of the Ford Center and a presentation from city and state officials, NBA commissioner David Stern said Tuesday a subcommittee of three NBA owners would suggest approval of the SuperSonics’ move by the rest of the league.

“We made important progress today,” Bennett said. “A lot more to be done, but a very important step. I think it was a very successful day and we look forward to the next step.”

Gov. Brad Henry, Oklahoma football coach Bob Stoops and numerous other representatives of the city, state and sports community came out to welcome Stern, New Jersey Nets owner Lewis Katz, Indiana Pacers owner Herb Simon and Los Angeles Lakers vice president Jeanie Buss as Oklahoma City brought out fancy cars and hard facts to woo its first major-league sports franchise.

“It was a pretty full presentation and pretty much a tour de force on behalf of Oklahoma that I’d say impressed the members of the committee greatly,” Stern said.

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No surprises here. After touring the Ford Center in Oklahoma City and meeting with civic leaders there the NBA relocation committee will recommend to the owners that they vote to allow for the move of the Sonics to Oklahoma City.

I'll have more later.

The Sonics had a light practice today, which included lifting weights, watching video and shooting.

Chris Wilcox will have a second doctor look at his finger tomorrow and probably will not play against Charlotte on Wednesday.

Earl Watson did go through today's light practice, and may play on Wednesday.

Francisco Elson appeared OK after playing for the first time since spraining right knee and missing five games, and should be ready to go on Wednesday.

Carlesimo talked after practice. You can listen to that conversation here.

Most of the team went to Rainier Beach High School to have lunch with students there and to present four, college-bound students with $2,500 scholarships each as part of the Dennis Johnson Memorial Scholarship fund.

Also, the campaign for Al Horford as Rookie of the Year continues, with Atlanta Hawks players lobbying for their teammate to win the award here.

I thought these comments by Atlanta rookie point guard Acie Law, who played against Kevin Durant when Durant was at Texas and Law was at Texas A & M were interesting.

Hawks rookie point guard Acie Law IV has ties to both candidates, giving him a unique perspective.

"Listen, Kevin Durant's a good friend of mine and a great player," Law said, "but for what Al contributes to our team, what he means to this team and how important he is to the resurgence of this franchise, I don't see how anybody but Al could win this award.

"Durant is having a great scoring year. But as far as making his teammates better and his team better, you just don't see that. With Al in the game, he makes it easier on all of our players. I think it's his award, hands down. It shouldn't even be close."

I still think Durant should and will win the Rookie of the Year award this season.

The "playoff bound" Hawks are 30-39, and if they were in the Western Conference would be 12th in the standings and on the outside looking in. The team's record also would be worse because they'd have to play teams like San Antonio, the Lakers, Phoenix, Houston and Dallas four times a year.

Atlanta is 12-17 against the Western Conference this season, and 9-26 on the road.

From the Associated Press this morning

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP -- City Council members unanimously approved a preliminary lease agreement with the Seattle SuperSonics Tuesday, hours before a planned
visit by NBA commissioner David Stern.

The 15-year deal, contingent on the team's relocation to Oklahoma City, calls for the SuperSonics to pay the city $1.6 million annually to use the Ford Center and another $409,000 per year to be able to re-sell the arena's naming rights.

Former Oklahoma state Rep. Wanda Jo Stapleton voiced concerns to the council that planned renovations to the Ford Center could exceed the $121 million in a sales tax extension approved by voters for this purpose.

Mayor Mick Cornett said the clear intent was to keep the project within budget.

The sales-tax extension is to also pay for the construction of an approximately $24 million practice facility.

Stern and four NBA team owners were expected to visit the city later Tuesday to gather information for a league vote next month on whether the Sonics can
relocate.

The Sonics' lease in Seattle runs through 2010, and a federal trial is scheduled for June to determine whether the team can break it.