Steve Wyche of the Washington Post reports that Hornets guard George Lynch is unhappy with management's reluctance to give him a contract extension and he wants to be traded to the Washington Wizards.

"I have family there, I played high school ball in that area [Flint Hill], I have a lot of ties to the Washington, D.C., area," Lynch, 31, said in a phone interview yesterday. "Plus, I'll play for Michael Jordan. I know he would appreciate a guy like me."

Sources indicate that both teams have taken part in trade talks but no deals have been reached.  But with Washington hoping for enough cap room to sign a maximum free agent contract in the offseason next year - holding out on a Richard Hamilton extension in the process - it is unknown if the team would extend on Lynch's current contract which runs through season 2003 if acquired.

Hornets Vice President of Basketball Operations Bob Bass acknowledged that Lynch has indicated a desire to be traded.