Bogues back in picture

Don't be surprised to see Muggsy Bogues back in a Charlotte Hornets uniform this winter. And, perhaps, in a front office job once his career is through.

Bogues' future was in doubt at times last season because of recurring pain in his left leg, and again this summer when Hornets coach Dave Cowens suggested it would be best for him to retire. Bogues has been the subject of recent talks involving himself, team owner George Shinn, Hornets vice president Bob Bass, and agent David Falk.

Nothing has been finalized, Bogues said Thursday. But there were indications that a plan is in the works to keep the popular point guard involved with the Hornets.

Shinn and Bogues spoke, without specifics, of such a relationship. And, according to a WBT radio report, Falk was seen in Charlotte this week.

``We have been in regular communication with Muggsy and his agent, David Falk,'' Shinn said. ``We are in the process of putting together a plan that's in the best interest of the Hornets and Muggsy.

``He's expressed his desire to stay here. We want him to stay here. We have a common goal. We're working through it. We don't have anything finalized yet but hope to soon.

``Muggsy has done a lot for this franchise and he has done a lot for me personally with community service. He has been a great player for us. Historically, he's always going to be one of the most popular players ever to play here.

``I want to see him end his career here and be involved with the franchise when he's through playing.''

Said Bogues: ``I feel the same way George does on the way it could play out. Nothing's been done yet. The details will come out in due time.''

Bogues has two seasons remaining on his contract paying him $1.8 million this season and a non-guaranteed $2.8 million the next. The agreement calls for him to receive $2 million of the 1998-99 salary if he retires because of an injury. It's unclear how, if at all, any of the terms would be affected by the ongoing talks.

``There's not much I can say except we're still having conversations and we hope to have it all worked out sometime soon, certainly before training camp starts,'' Bass said.

Bogues and shooting guard Dell Curry are the only Hornets who have been with the team since its first season, in 1988-89. Bogues, a 5-foot-3 guard who played college basketball at Wake Forest, became an instant fan favorite and soon settled into a regular spot at starting point guard.

In the process he became the NBA's all-time leader in assist-to-turnover ratio. He played in 77 or more of the Hornets' 82 regular-season games each season until 1995-96, when he was fighting through his first major injury.

After having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, he played only six games that season, then struggled to get going early last season because of lingering pain and stiffness in his leg. He appeared to gain strength as the season went on and was instrumental in Charlotte's push to a franchise-high 54-victory season, the first year under Cowens.

In the past year the Hornets have added two point guards to the roster, first Tony Delk through the 1996 college draft, then Boston veteran and free agent David Wesley last month.

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