Hornets coach Byron Scott confirmed on Friday that he has had preliminary discussions with team owner George Shinn about extending his contract, The Times-Picayune writer John Reid is reporting.

Scott is currently under contract through next season and is seeking a new, long term deal in the five to six year range.

"I'm happy with the organization, and I think I've done a pretty good job," said Scott. "I know we're going to get better, and I wouldn't mind being here until Chris Paul is a perennial All-Star."

"I've told him that I want him back," Shinn said. "I think he's a great coach, and he's good with the guys. So I told him if he wants to talk, he can talk to me. But I'm not going to talk to an agent. If he has an agent involved, he has to talk to (General Manager) Jeff Bower, not me."