In Charlotte, Rick Bonnell writes the Hornets this offseason "should have abundant room under the salary cap," which is projected at $115M per team. Hornets President of Basketball Operations & GM Mitch Kupchak said that he "doesn't anticipate chasing star free agents," but he "does see plenty of uses, whether it be signings or trades." On Owner Michael Jordan's opinion of the plan, Kupchak said, "He's 100 percent on board with what we're doing. We made a decision to take a certain approach for this summer and we knew what that would lead to (losing) this year. There are no surprises" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 2/20).
KISS AND MAKE UP? In N.Y., Stefan Bondy notes after a judge dismissed former NBAer Charles Oakley's lawsuit against Knicks Owner James Dolan, MSG yesterday "released a statement teasing a reconciliation." Dolan and the Knicks are "undergoing a rebrand" directed by branding consultant Steve Stoute, who said last week that he "hopes to bring Oakley back to MSG." But as recently as last week, Oakley said Dolan's actions were "dead wrong" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 2/20).
FROZEN DEADHEADS: The NHL Panthers' eighth Grateful Dead Night is "set for March 19" against the Sabres at BB&T Center. Fans who purchase tickets for the event will receive a "limited-edition tie-dye Grateful Dead jersey as a part of the ticket package, while supplies last." Fans also will be "allowed early entry for a pre-game concert with rock group Unlimited Devotion in the Coors Light Cold Zone" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 2/20).
