I strongly suspect that if there is any truth to this rumor, it involves them using their first round pick as a way to get rid of Tyrus Thomas. How much are you willing to give up if you have to take back Thomas, who makes $8.7m next season and $9.4m the season after that? Is it enough to make Charlotte think a trade is better than keeping the pick and using the amnesty clause?
For those who mentioned the Stepien rule, the easy work-around is for Charlotte to make the pick then trade the rights to the pick in a deal that becomes official after the selection is made.