The Dalai Lama Supports the Pelicans, Charlotte Wants the Hornets, and Other Monday Stories

Happy Monday! The latest:

- It appears that Charlotte's taken the first steps towards again becoming the Hornets, doing some early diligence with respect to digital properties. Many articles discussing the potential name change seem to imply (or outright say, as this one does) that the NBA owns the "Hornets" name now, and not Tom Benson, as I'd assumed all along.

- The draft lottery is tomorrow of course, with the ESPN broadcast slated to begin at 7:30 PM CST. Monty Williams will again represent New Orleans on the stage.

- Here's a photo of the Dalai Lama wearing a New Orleans Pelicans hat.

- One immediate benefit of the Benson takeover appears to be the team's new practice facility; SI has more on that. Bradley Handwerger says it'll attract free agents.