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.