Former NBA coach Mike Dunleavy is involved in a group bidding to purchase the league-owned New Orleans Hornets, two sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to ESPNLosAngeles.com.

According to a report in the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the group is led by Orange County, Calif., businessman Raj Bhathal and also includes Larry J. Benson, the brother of New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson.

During a news conference at the NBA All-Star Game in Orlando on Saturday, commissioner David Stern said that the league is involved in discussions with one group and has another group in second place. He described the league as “optimistic” that the franchise can be sold within the next few weeks.

via Ramona Shelburne of ESPN Los Angeles