The Charlotte Bobcats have started the process to rename the team back to "Hornets," according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

There is no timetable for the switch and Adam Silver has said such a change would take at least 18 months to implement.

Charlotte's NBA team was known as the Hornets from its 1988 inception through 2002 when then owner George Shinn moved the team -- and mascot -- to New Orleans.

The New Orleans franchise changed its name to Pelicans after this season, which opened the door for Charlotte to reclaim its old name.

Nerlens Noel was widely considered the consensus best player available in the 2013 NBA Draft, but his status in that position became questionable after tearing his ACL.

Noel is targeting a return of December, but could be out longer depending on how the rehab progresses.

With the 2014 NBA Draft expected to be incredibly strong with Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, Julius Randle and Marcus Smart, amongst others, teams could be more comfortable being patient with Noel.

"I actually think that's helping Noel's case with teams like Orlando and Charlotte," wrote Chad Ford of the scenario of letting Noel rehab slowly to improve their lottery position for 2014. "Going for the double-play."

Damian Lillard headlines the 2013 NBA All-Rookie Team as a unanimous selection.

Bradley Beal, Anthony Davis, Dion Waiters and Harrison Barnes joined Lillard on the All-Rookie First Team.

On the All-Rookie Second Team is Andre Drummond, Jonas Valanciunas, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kyle Singler and Tyler Zeller.

The Charlotte Bobcats have received permission to interview Los Angeles Lakers assistant Steve Clifford as a possible replacement for fired coach Mike Dunlap.

Clifford is known for his defensive expertise after spending nine seasons as an assistant under the Van Gundy brothers -- first Jeff Van Gundy with the Houston Rockets, then Stan Van Gundy with the Orlando Magic.

Alvin Gentry, Nate Tibbetts, Kelvin Sampson, Jeff Hornacek and Elston Turner are also expected to interview for the Bobcats’ coaching vacancy.

Elston Turner will interview with the Charlotte Bobcats for their head coaching vacancy.

The Bobcats fired Mike Dunlap this offseason after one season.

Turner interviewed for the Portland Trail Blazers' vacancy last offseason.

Turner is a longtime assistant coach and most recently was an assistant with the Phoenix suns before stepping down in January.

The Charlotte Bobcats have requested permission from the Houston Rockets to interview Kelvin Sampson for their head coaching vacancy.

Sampson has been an assistant coach with the Rockets since 2011.

Sampson was a head coach at Washington, Oklahoma and Indiana. After stepping down at Indiana amid scandal, Sampson has become a well respected assistant in the NBA.

Alvin Gentry considers Charlotte his home and made it clear that he would love to coach the Bobcats, who have a head coach opening after firing Mike Dunlap.

“It reminds me a little bit of the teams I had in L.A. (with the Clippers): Young players, very energetic guys,’’ Gentry said. “Kemba (Walker) and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist have a lot of potential and (Gerald) Henderson has started to really establish himself as a pro.

“I’ve seen a lot of their games. Yes, they’ve struggled at times, but that’s a situation where you could make a big change in a year or so. I know that player development is really important to that job.’’

Gentry, 58, was let go by the Phoenix Suns this season.

“You know they’re going to get some good young players with those picks and then they have the (cap) flexibility to add a very good veteran player, somebody who can serve as an example to the rest of the locker room,’’ Gentry said.

“And you’ve got Michael (Jordan as owner) – the best player to ever put on a uniform. I’d certainly use him as a resource.’’

Alvin Gentry is expected to be a candidate for the Charlotte Bobcats' head coaching vacancy.

The Bobcats fired Mike Dunlap after one season.

The franchise is likely to seek a coach with previous NBA experience, making Gentry a candidate.

Mike Dunlap has been fired as head coach of the Charlotte Bobcats.

Dunlap was in his first season with the Bobcats after previously serving as an assistant coach at St. John's.

The Bobcats had a 21-61 record during the 12-13 NBA season after starting the season 7-5.

The Miami Heat won't have LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Ray Allen against the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday night.

Mario Chalmers, who has missed time with an ankle injury, has been upgraded to a game-time decision.

James is dealing with a tight hamstring, while Wade is nursing several minor injuries in his leg.

Allen tweaked his right ankle when he fell over a cameraman during the fourth quarter of Tuesday night's game against the Knicks.