HoopsHype.com Rumors

The Charlotte Bobcats are on their way to becoming the Charlotte Hornets. The Bobcats have started pursuing a name change to Charlotte's original NBA team, an informed source confirmed to the Charlotte Observer. Though the Bobcats will need permission from the league to make such a change, incoming NBA commissioner Adam Silver has twice indicated that shouldn't be a problem. Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Adam Silver, Charlotte Hornets 

Any change probably couldn't be implemented before the 2014-15 season. Silver said last month during a trip to Charlotte that it would take a minimum of 18 months to rebrand an NBA franchise. The league's uniform-maker, Adidas, and other licensees need that much lead time to produce branded merchandise. The Bobcats have estimated it would cost them about $3 million to rebrand because so much signage and other logo material would have to be replaced. Sources indicate both Bobcats owner Michael Jordan and outgoing NBA commissioner David Stern advocated a switch to the Hornets to better market Charlotte's team. Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Michael Jordan, David Stern, Adam Silver, Charlotte Hornets 

There is no timetable for the switch though NBA commissioner to be Adam Silver told Bobcats season ticket holders in April that such a change would take at least 18 months to implement. Moreover, the change is not unexpected and would likely be popular with the North Carolina fan base. CBSSports.com

Charlotte Bobcats, Adam Silver, Charlotte Hornets 

"We've never wavered in our desire to return to the Seattle market at some point," Silver said. "... Expansion was discussed at least as a possibility down the road. We want to wait and see what happens in our next national television negotiation but we're very appreciative of the fans in Seattle, as we always were. We regretted leaving the market. ... We fully expect we will return there one day." USA Today Sports

Seattle, Adam Silver 

Arash Markazi: Adam Silver: "Expansion was discussed as a possibility... We regretted having to leave the market and we fully intend to return some day." Twitter @ArashMarkazi

Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, David Stern, Owners, Adam Silver 

Jon Santiago: Future NBA Commissioner Adam Silver: "We've never wavered on our interest 2 return to Seattle." Says they want to wait-&-see on next TV deal Twitter @itsjonsantiago

Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, David Stern, Owners, Adam Silver 

Brian Mahoney: Stern and Silver have said they don't expect this Kings fiasco to end up with lawsuits. Don't see how they can be avoided at this point. Twitter @briancmahoney

Sacramento Kings, David Stern, Owners, Adam Silver 

The league plans to wait for its playoffs to end in June before turning its focus to the media package, sources said. While those informal talks are likely to take place, a formal deal is not expected until next year, when current NBA Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver replaces David Stern as commissioner. Sports Business Daily

Media, David Stern, Adam Silver 

The NBA is keenly aware of the current marketplace. Three of the league’s top executives — Stern, Silver and Bill Koenig, executive vice president of business affairs — attended a New York event in March announcing the launch of Fox Sports 1. As they were leaving the event, a reporter asked what they thought of the presentation. Stern offered a wry smile, and said, “It’s always nice to have competition.” Sports Business Daily

Media, David Stern, Adam Silver, Bill Koenig 

After announcing that he won't be selling his team just yet, Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor addressed reporters about the excitement he has for his organization and the future of the NBA. That future includes Adam Silver as the next NBA commissioner. According to Taylor, Silver signed his contract Friday to be the next commissioner of the league. “I see some really positive things, other than this here, that are going to happen to this organization in the future and the NBA," Taylor said. "I've worked really hard with Adam Silver over the years. He signed his contract today, finally, that he'll be the next commissioner. He just did that today and he called me. I'm excited about that. I know him; I know our future of the NBA." CBSSports.com

Adam Silver 

Aaron Bruski: Silver: I'm not sure within five years, but I can imagine a division in Europe. It's logistically possible. Twitter @aaronbruski

Europe, Adam Silver 

The NBA sent out a release shortly afterward from commissioner David Stern. “As (deputy commissioner) Adam Silver and I said to Jason, we have known the Collins family since Jason and (brother) Jarron joined the NBA in 2001 and they have been exemplary members of the NBA family. Jason has been a widely respected player and teammate throughout his career and we are proud he has assumed the leadership mantle on this very important issue,” the release said. Detroit Free Press

David Stern, Jason Collins, Adam Silver 

NBA Commissioner David Stern statement on Jason Collins: "As Adam Silver and I said to Jason, we have known the Collins family since Jason and Jarron joined the NBA in 2001 and they have been exemplary members of the NBA family. Jason has been a widely respected player and teammate throughout his career and we are proud he has assumed the leadership mantle on this very important issue.” Sulia

Washington Wizards, David Stern, Jason Collins, Adam Silver 

Adam Silver, the NBA's commissioner-in-waiting, Thursday confirmed talks with the Knicks and Nets for a weeklong "basketball festival'' that will place events at Madison Square Garden and the Barclays Center in conjunction with the 2015 All-Star Game. Newsday

All-Star, Adam Silver 

During a session with Associated Press sports editors at the league's Manhattan headquarters presided over by commissioner David Stern, Silver said "several cities" have submitted bids for multiple years, including 2015, to stage the All-Star Game. Silver said those cities "are aware we're trying to work something out with the Knicks and Nets," and that New York's teams are "ahead" in the competition. Newsday

All-Star, Adam Silver 

A headache for his coach, Kobe Bryant's tweets during a Lakers playoff game were a hit at the NBA office. Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver says he thought Bryant's online commentary was "fascinating," and that he missed Bryant's live tweeting. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Adam Silver 

NBA players are prohibited from posting on social media during games. Silver says he doesn't think that rule needs to cover injured players, as long as they aren't on the bench. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Adam Silver 

David Stern doesn't have a vote in what he termed this "wrenching" dilemma between Sacramento and Seattle, but he has a voice, and it remains the league's most powerful one. There is no chance – none – that he is only providing background noise while the league's enormous legal staff examines the two cities, two potential ownership groups, and two proposed arenas in preparation for a long-awaited resolution. The running joke within the league, in fact, is that NBA stands for "Nothing But Attorneys." But the reality is this: Stern will be the chief lawyer in charge until he delivers the office keys next February to his respected and anointed heir, Adam Silver. Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, David Stern, Adam Silver 

One league executive Tuesday described the commissioner as "anguishing" over the process that consists of competing offers for one team, proposals for new arenas in Sacramento and Seattle, and questions pertaining to the prudence and practicality of relocating an established incumbent franchise that sold out 19 of 28 seasons. It's unclear whether the Sacramento group, led by software tycoon Vivek Ranadive, satisfied Stern's request for more "details" regarding the counteroffer to the record-setting agreement the Maloofs signed with the Seattle-based group headed by Chris Hansen and Steve Ballmer. Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, David Stern, Steve Ballmer, Adam Silver, Vivek Ranadive, Chris Hansen 

Those close to the situation in Seattle are hanging their hopes on the signed agreement with the Maloofs, the enormous wealth of Ballmer, and the more advanced environmental review process, among other things. Nonetheless, Stern's announcement that the combined finance/relocation committee members would address relocation before delving into a sale of the franchise caused some alarm in Seattle because NBA bylaws list very specific criteria that must be applied to potential moves, including the degree of support within existing communities, the region's demographics, television market size, the overall impact on the league's marketing, etc. Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, David Stern, Adam Silver