Post by John on Jun 26, 2006 22:50:41 GMT -4
Hornets about to guarantee two option years for Scott
June 26, 2006
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports
EDMOND, Okla. -- Coach Byron Scott was close to signing a contract extension with the New Orleans Hornets that could keep him with the team for three more seasons.
Scott guided the Hornets to a 20-win improvement in his second season with the club following a temporary move from New Orleans to Oklahoma City because of Hurricane Katrina.
"The deal is pretty much finalized and I'm happy about it and looking forward to getting the season under way," Scott said Monday.
The new deal would guarantee the two remaining option years on Scott's four-year contract and add an option for 2008-09, Scott said.
"I think it's a good deal. It's mostly incentive-based, which I kind of like," said Scott, referring to bonuses for wins, playoffs and other milestones.
Scott led the Hornets to an 18-64 record in his first season. The team responded with the biggest improvement in the league last season and was in the playoff race until the final week of the season. Scott was fifth in the NBA's Coach of the Year balloting.
Scott's business manager, Brian McInerney, was in Oklahoma last week to visit Scott and work on the extension. He said an announcement is expected soon, and Scott's priority was keeping his coaching staff together.
After the season, Hornets owner George Shinn said he hoped to re-sign Scott for the long term.
"I'm confident because he loves his team and he sees a good one and he wants to stay," Shinn said last month. "We're going to do everything to make that happen."
Shinn also has said he wants to re-sign general manager Jeff Bower, who took over as general manager when Allan Bristow resigned in October.
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
June 26, 2006
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports
EDMOND, Okla. -- Coach Byron Scott was close to signing a contract extension with the New Orleans Hornets that could keep him with the team for three more seasons.
Scott guided the Hornets to a 20-win improvement in his second season with the club following a temporary move from New Orleans to Oklahoma City because of Hurricane Katrina.
"The deal is pretty much finalized and I'm happy about it and looking forward to getting the season under way," Scott said Monday.
The new deal would guarantee the two remaining option years on Scott's four-year contract and add an option for 2008-09, Scott said.
"I think it's a good deal. It's mostly incentive-based, which I kind of like," said Scott, referring to bonuses for wins, playoffs and other milestones.
Scott led the Hornets to an 18-64 record in his first season. The team responded with the biggest improvement in the league last season and was in the playoff race until the final week of the season. Scott was fifth in the NBA's Coach of the Year balloting.
Scott's business manager, Brian McInerney, was in Oklahoma last week to visit Scott and work on the extension. He said an announcement is expected soon, and Scott's priority was keeping his coaching staff together.
After the season, Hornets owner George Shinn said he hoped to re-sign Scott for the long term.
"I'm confident because he loves his team and he sees a good one and he wants to stay," Shinn said last month. "We're going to do everything to make that happen."
Shinn also has said he wants to re-sign general manager Jeff Bower, who took over as general manager when Allan Bristow resigned in October.
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service