Lease was already signed through 2024 because the NBA wants it to be there. That's why it took so long to sell, because every potential owner wanted to move it to California but couldnt because Stern wanted it to be in NOLA and the buyout from the lease is ridiculous.
He made clear that they plan to change the name ASAP, look for it to be the Buccaneers. That was the name of our ABA team that the Hornets usually rep on throwback night. Interestingly enough, Babe McCarthy was the last head coach of the New Orleans Bucs.