Rambis, Charlotte Still Talking

The Rambis Youth can hold off on the black armbands, at least for another day.

Their hero, free-agent forward Kurt Rambis, did not sign with the expansion Charlotte Hornets Tuesday. Both sides agreed to extend a deadline imposed by Rambis’ agent, Peter Johnson, after failing to reach agreement on a contract by early Tuesday evening.

Charlotte General Manager Carl Scheer said talks would continue “tomorrow and however long it takes . . . It could be concluded in a phone call or 100 or never.”

Indications are, however, that the sides are close to reaching an agreement that would bring Rambis, a Laker for seven seasons, to Charlotte. The Hornets, according to one source, offered the power forward a 4-year, $2.4-million deal. Neither side would comment on what was holding up the deal.

Charlotte did, however, invite 39-year-old center Artis Gilmore, who spent last season with the Boston Celtics, to try out for the team. Gilmore would work out in September, at which time a decision would be made whether to offer him a contract.