--The Hornets are on schedule to have to pay the luxury tax next year for the first time in franchise history. Though paying the luxury tax would be well out of character for the franchise and majority owner George Shinn, team president Hugh Weber said the franchise won't hold "a fire sale" to avoid the tax.
"I think the real question is, if we have to go over the luxury tax in order to stay competitive, (will we?)" Weber said, "(and) the answer is yes. At the same time, ... if we don't have to we won't." --The Hornets might add an assistant to their coaching staff. When top assistant Darrell Walker left last offseason to take a position on Michael Curry's staff with the Pistons, the Hornets chose not to replace him. Now they're considering adding a belated replacement. Coach Byron Scott's current assistants are Paul Pressey and Charlie Parker.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Chris (Paul) and David (West) have been key to this team; I don't see that ever changing." -- Team president Hugh Weber on whether any players are untouchable during the Hornets' offseason.
