It seems the Charlotte community won't shed a tear if George Shinn and Ray Wooldridge box up the Hornets and head for 'Nawlins. And though they may lose the Hornets, there have been whispers that Charlotte won't be without an NBA team for very long.

Late last year came rumors that the Magic may be a candidate to relocate to Charlotte. Those thoughts became moot when Rich DeVos decided to pull the team off the market. But could Charlotte be the future home of the Grizzlies or Raptors?

Geoff Jenkins of the Commerical Appeal has the Grizzlies' take. While the team will remain named the Grizzlies, Jenkins wonders if the "Memphis" portion of the team name will be as temporary. Faced with financing issues on a new arena in Memphis, Jenkins wonders if the NBA might nudge the Grizz towards Charlotte and a new arena.

Then there's Sam Smith's musings about the Raptors moving to NC. Smith points out that Toronto is a franchise that collects revenues in devalued Canadian dollars and pays out in American dollars.

And of course, there is the lure of Vince Carter back in Carolina. Maybe even a reappearnce of Michael Jordan, who tried to get his foot in the executive door with the Hornets before joining the Wizards.

But, Smith clarifies that no one is saying the Raptors are looking to move. But there could be a very healthy Charlotte market open soon, one that set NBA attendance records for years.

All in all, alot of talk with perhaps little substance behind it. Or is there?

According to Raptors president Richard Peddie that answer is certainly a 'no'.  "The only thing missing from that column are the words, 'April fool's,'" said Peddie in reference to the article written by Smith.  It was an opinion piece and he was not implying that negotiations had begun.

With Commissioner David Stern due to arrive in Toronto for tomorrow night's game between the Bulls and the Raptors it was a perfect opportunity to get his opinion on the matter.

"We don't see Toronto as an outpost. We see it as a jumping-off point to the rest of the world."