While Hornets coaches and general manager Jeff Bower have been noncommittal about acquiring him, owner George Shinn is apparently interested in acquiring Ron Artest.

Artest has stated he wanted to be traded then said he didn't want to be traded. Artest has been inactive since Dec. 6 and has been constantly rumored to be going somewhere. Artest was suspended for almost all of last season after charging into the stands during a game.

He played in just seven games last season. "The guy is talented,'' Shinn said. "We're talking, like a lot of teams are. We've thrown some stuff out to see what might happen, but I wouldn't say we're being aggressive about it.''