 By September 10 , the prospect of securing a Baton Rouge location to host the Hornets was fading as a result of the facilities being utilized for hurricane related relief operations . Numerous cities inquired about hosting the franchise for the season , including Kansas City , Louisville , Nashville , Oklahoma City and San Diego . During this period , Oklahoma City announced that it was the favored choice to serve as the temporary home of the franchise , although by mid @-@ September SMG announced that the New Orleans arena could potentially be ready for occupancy by the All @-@ Star Break . However , by late September the Hornets finalized a move to Oklahoma City , where 35 games would be played at the Ford Center , as well as six in Baton Rouge at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center . Additionally , it was announced that three of the games in March could be moved to New Orleans if the arena repairs were complete . At the same time , the NBA also announced the team would be referred to officially as the New Orleans / Oklahoma City Hornets , and that the deal reached with Oklahoma City would allow for the team to return for the 2006 – 07 season , if necessary . 
