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 

What's still in question is when the name change could be implemented and how extensively the Bobcats would assume the Hornets' old look. The source, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, would not comment on whether the popular teal-and-purple color scheme would return to Charlotte. Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, 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 

The Charlotte Bobcats are in the process of changing their name back to "Hornets," a source with knowledge of the situation told CBSSports.com's Will Brinson, including arranging digital assets that would allow a return to their original nickname. CBSSports.com

Charlotte Bobcats, 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 

Silver told season ticket holders re-acquiring the name "Hornets" would not be an issue, stating that the NBA and not the Pelicans owned the moniker. Acquiring and rearranging the necessary digital assets would be a major part of any change. Hornets.com and CharlotteHornets.com are owned by NBA Media Ventures, LLC and currently redirect to NBA.com/Pelicans. However, a WhoIs.net search for the domain name NBAHornets.com shows that the URL was created and registered very recently -- on May 15, 2013 to be exact -- by NBA Media Ventures, LLC. NBA Media Ventures, LLC, is the media branch of the NBA and owns NBA.com, Hornets.com and CharlotteHornets.com. CBSSports.com

Charlotte Bobcats, Charlotte Hornets 

Rick Bonnell: Ben McLemore says he expects to interview with the Bobcats tonight. Twitter @rick_bonnell

Charlotte Bobcats, Draft, Ben McLemore 

Rick Bonnell: Bobcats have interviewed Gonzaga 7-footer Kelly Olynyk, who figures to go no higher than 11th. Trade-back scenario? Twitter @rick_bonnell

Charlotte Bobcats, Draft, Kelly Olynyk 

Jason Quick: Michael Carter-Williams said he also interviewed with OKC, Minnesota, Detroit and Charlotte Twitter @jwquick

Charlotte Bobcats, Detroit Pistons, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Draft, Michael Carter-Williams 

Chris Mannix: Otto Porter has interviewed with Charlotte, Phoenix and OKC. Says he looks at Cleveland, Phoenix and Orlando as being the best fit. Twitter @ChrisMannixSI

Charlotte Bobcats, Cleveland Cavaliers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Draft, Otto Porter 

Ken Berger: The Bobcats will meet with Lakers assistant Steve Clifford next week, sources say. Twitter @KBergCBS

Charlotte Bobcats, Los Angeles Lakers, Coaching, Steve Clifford 

Marc Stein: Kelvin Sampson had his long-anticipated interview w/Charlotte today. Next up for Bobcats: Steve Clifford after his interview w/Bucks today Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

Charlotte Bobcats, Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson, Steve Clifford 

Frank Isola: Lakers assistant Steve Clifford, interviewing for Bucks head coaching job, is being courted by at least two other teams, including Charlotte Twitter @FisolaNYDN

Charlotte Bobcats, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Steve Clifford 

Marc J. Spears: Bobcats expected to interview CSKA Moscow asst coach Quin Snyder again, a source tells Y! Snyder interviewed as a Lakers assistant last year Twitter @SpearsNBAYahoo

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Quin Snyder 

11. Charlotte Bobcats: "It's a great area, a great city, and they've got a good facility. I don't know if it's MJ, but the thing that's discouraging about them is that they have no direction. They need to get one plan that they believe in, put their seatbelt on, strap in, ride and go with it. "They're like a bad lawyer who keeps switching defenses. They've switched directions a few times now. They need to save their money and be bad, take a beating and build it up. Maybe they need to spend the money and bring in a big-time coach and treat it like a college situation, where you let the coach be the face of the team and then you figure it out from there." ESPN.com

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching 

Tom Moore: #NBA source: #Suns and #Bobcats are expected to join #Sixers in interviewing #Jazz assistant Jeff Hornacek. Twitter @tmoorepburbs

Charlotte Bobcats, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, Coaching, Jeff Hornacek 

Sam Amick: Also on coaching front, Cleveland assistant Nate Tibbets will have his Charlotte interview on Thursday. Mike Dunlap was fired after season. Twitter @sam_amick

Charlotte Bobcats, Cleveland Cavaliers, Coaching, Nate Tibbetts 

Sources say you can also add Rockets assistant Kelvin Sampson's name to that group out of the running. Sampson, though, does remain a top contender in Milwaukee and Charlotte. ESPN.com

Charlotte Bobcats, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Brooklyn Nets, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson 

Mark Berman: At least 3 teams requested permission to interview Rockets ass't Kelvin Sampson. Latest according to sources: 76ers along w/ Bucks & Bobcats Twitter @MarkBermanFox26

Charlotte Bobcats, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson 

According to a source, the Philadelphia 76ers and Charlotte Bobcats also have requested permission to interview Sampson. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Charlotte Bobcats, Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson