Stern's decision was corrupt from the beginning.
The NBA Front Office and every NBA owner didn't have a problem with letting general manager Dell Demps make the player-personnel decisions for the Hornets. Dan Gilbert and Mark Cuban didn't say a word. So, any and every team that made offers to Dell Demps, did so in good faith believing that Dell was the person to deal with.
The fact that Stern pulled the rug out from under the "agreed upon process" just because Gilbert and Cuban didn't like the deal... wreaks of favoritism, bias, and unprofessional conduct.
This act by Stern altered the history of two franchises and one of the great franchises that helped bring the league to the heights of popularity.