Hornets general manager Dell Demps is optimistic about his team’s future, citing salary cap flexibility and draft picks as cornerstones of the team’s future success.

“I think we have a lot of flexibility,” Demps said. “That’s the great thing about us right now. And it’ll be interesting to see how we use that flexibility. We don’t have all the answers right now. We have a plan, but that plan has a number of options. We’re going to just keep moving forward.

“You look at our roster. We have a lot of young guys. We have draft picks. We have cap room. We have a lot of things we can do. We’re not stuck. We have ways to improve our roster, and I think we’re going to look at every one of those opportunities moving forward.”

The Hornets, who have just $36.8 million committed for next season, will have two lottery picks in the upcoming draft.

Carl Landry would like to return to the Hornets, but said he wasn't sure if the team would be interested.

“You just never know,’’ said Landry. “You hear one thing one day, and something (else) the next. You’ve just got to play every game like it’s your last. That’s all you can do, especially in a contract situation like myself. You can’t worry about if you are going to be here tomorrow.’’

The New Orleans Hornets have signed Darryl Watkins.

The 6’11” center is in his second NBA season, originally appearing in nine games for the Sacramento Kings during the 2007-08 season, averaging 1.3 points and 1.3 rebounds in 7.9 minutes per game.

Chris Kaman has a bruised left tibia and is likely to miss the remainder of the season.

Kaman sustained the injury to his leg in the home win against the Memphis Grizzlies on Apr. 15. In 47 games this season (33 starts), Kaman averaged 13.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and a team-best 1.6 blocks per game.

If the New Orleans Hornets are renamed, some speculate that the Charlotte Bobcats may explore taking back the nickname of the team that represents a successful period of NBA basketball in the city.

The Hornets played in Charlotte from 1988 until 2002.

The NBA awarded Charlotte an expansion franchise in 2004.

The process of renaming a franchise may take up to two years, according to sources.

With Tom Benson attempting to change the name of the New Orleans team back to the Jazz, David Stern has already publicly intervened.

"It belongs to Utah," Stern said Monday, as reported by The Times-Picayune. "I wouldn't make it such an important point. There are many things that are indigenous to the area. I'm sure there will be some wonderful (suggested) nicknames."

Benson told fans he wants their help to find a new nickname "that means New Orleans and Louisiana. The Hornets doesn't mean anything."

The Jazz moved from New Orleans to Utah in 1979.

The NBA will announce that they will host the 2014 All-Star Game in New Orleans, according to a source.

New Orleans also hosted the game in 2008, which was the first major sporting event held in the city following Hurricane Katrina.

The next possible date to avoid conflicts with Carnival would have likely been 2017.

Saints' owner Tom Benson will purchase the New Orleans Hornets.

The purchase price is believed to be $338 million.

The NBA bought the Hornets from George Shinn and Gary Chouest for approximately $300 million in December of 2010.

"We expect this club to be one of the most outstanding clubs in the league, otherwise I don't want to get involved," Benson said. "This is just a good thing and I'm just glad to be a part of it."

Eric Gordon has enjoyed his time with New Orleans, though he has been limited to just five games this season.

Gordon will be a restricted free agent this summer after his agent, Rob Pelinka, and the Hornets were unsuccessful in their attempt to negotiate an extension.

"The first thing I'd say is that we have a very underrated coach," Gordon said by phone on Tuesday. "He's one of the best coaches out there, and we're definitely an underrated team. I know our record [16-42] doesn't speak for itself, but I've been out more than half the season. The Hornets really do have good fans, too. I really can't say too many negatives about it.

"Overall, it's better than what people probably would think if they hadn't lived here. It's been enjoyable."

The Hornets will be able to match any offer Gordon receives on the open market.

"We want him here for the long term; we're looking forward to signing him this summer," Hornets general manager Dell Demps told SI.com. "We think he is a big-time player who can score, and we're thrilled to have him. He's a big part of our plans for the future."

Sources close to the situation said Indiana, Phoenix, Portland and Dallas are among the teams with interest in Gordon.

The New Orleans Hornets have signed guard Jerome Dyson to a 10-day contract.

Dyson has appeared in 44 regular season games (all starts) with the Tulsa 66ers in the NBA Developmental League this season, averaging 17.8 points, 3.9 assists and 3.5 rebounds in 34.0 minutes of play. The 2010 Third Team All-Big East selection was signed to the Hornets training camp roster on December 9th, 2011, appearing in one preseason game with New Orleans (five points and one assist in seven minutes of action). He was the last player waived on December 24th prior to the start of the season.