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Byron Scott is expected to return next season as coach of the New Orleans Hornets, a source close to Scott said, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
Scott has one year remaining on his contract, but whether he will be offered an extension will depend on evaluations of his performance during the 2009-10 season, according to the report.
Scott's future with the Hornets had been in doubt after team owner George Shinn said he planned to evaluate Scott's performance after the team's first-round exit from the playoffs.
The Hornets were knocked out of the playoffs in five games by the Denver Nuggets, including an ugly 58-point loss at home in Game 4.
Shinn said Wednesday that he met with Scott but declined to address his status, the newspaper reported. When asked if he could give Scott a public vote of confidence, Shinn said the team would address the issue today.
If the Hornets fired Scott, they would be obligated to pay his $5.5 million salary for next season in addition to paying a new coach.
Scott was last season's NBA coach of the year after guiding New Orleans to a franchise-record 56 wins and the second round of the playoffs, falling to the San Antonio Spurs in seven games. The Hornets were hampered by injuries this season and finished 49-33, earning the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference.
Scott has one year remaining on his contract, but whether he will be offered an extension will depend on evaluations of his performance during the 2009-10 season, according to the report.
Scott's future with the Hornets had been in doubt after team owner George Shinn said he planned to evaluate Scott's performance after the team's first-round exit from the playoffs.
The Hornets were knocked out of the playoffs in five games by the Denver Nuggets, including an ugly 58-point loss at home in Game 4.
Shinn said Wednesday that he met with Scott but declined to address his status, the newspaper reported. When asked if he could give Scott a public vote of confidence, Shinn said the team would address the issue today.
If the Hornets fired Scott, they would be obligated to pay his $5.5 million salary for next season in addition to paying a new coach.
Scott was last season's NBA coach of the year after guiding New Orleans to a franchise-record 56 wins and the second round of the playoffs, falling to the San Antonio Spurs in seven games. The Hornets were hampered by injuries this season and finished 49-33, earning the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference.
