girllovesthegame

Hornets coach could receive a deal among the league's six highest paid

When their playoff run ultimately ends, Hornets owner George Shinn plans to begin negotiations to extend Coach Byron Scott's contract.

After this season, Scott has only an option year remaining on his contract for the 2008-09 season. The Hornets have the choice to extend him the option year at his current estimated $4.2 million salary or offer an extension.

Although unlikely, Scott could opt out of his contract. However, he would have to pay the franchise an undisclosed amount, his business manager, Brian McInerney said. An NBA source said Scott would have to pay up to $2 million to opt out.

"We will begin negotiations when the season ends," Shinn said. "We have a tremendous team, and Coach has done a tremendous job. We have to keep everyone intact to keep this going."

Under Scott, the Hornets are enjoying one of their best seasons in franchise history. On Tuesday, also the day the Hornets eliminated the Dallas Mavericks from the first round of the playoffs, Scott received his first Red Auerbach Trophy as the NBA's Coach of the Year.

"Byron wants to stay with this team," said McInerney, who negotiated Scott's first deal with the Hornets in 2004 when he replaced former coach Tim Floyd.

"Everything is right, and the machine is running well. This has been a perfect fit. He's not thinking about any other thing except picking up another ring for Chris Paul, Peja Stojakovic and himself."

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Shinn also mentioned in another article about busting his chops to re-sign CP this summer.

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