Clippers, Byron Scott talk contract

The Clippers had conversations on the parameters of a contract with both Byron Scott and Brian Shaw after both met with owner Donald Sterling this week, but the team initiated more talks with Scott’s representatives Friday night in an attempt to push things along.

NBA executives who were not authorized to speak publicly on the negotiations confirmed that the latest talks had taken place.

Scott had dinner with Sterling on Tuesday night, and it was then that they first began talking about a contract, the executives said.

Talks with Scott on a deal have since intensified.

“They are getting there,” an executive said. “But they are still talking.”

Scott, former coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, New Orleans Hornets and New Jersey Nets, coached Chris Paul when both were with New Orleans.

Scott and Paul played golf together earlier this month, an executive said.

Even though it has been reported that Paul’s preference is for the Clippers to work out a deal with Boston for Coach Doc Rivers to come to L.A., the executives said Paul would be OK with Scott as the coach. Paul becomes an unrestricted free agent next month and re-signing him is a priority for the Clippers.

And though negotiations between the Clippers and Celtics broke down again Friday, executives said the Clippers still believe the talks will resume and that they still have a shot at getting Rivers here.

Shaw met with Sterling on Wednesday night for the first time, and the two talked about a contract then as well.

Shaw, associate head coach of the Indiana Pacers, has interviewed twice with the Denver Nuggets for their head-coaching vacancy.

Former Memphis Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins has interviewed for the Clippers job but there have been no talks about a contract, executives said.

The plan was to take all this information to Sterling and for him to make a decision over the weekend, executives said.

The hope is for the Clippers to name a coach by Monday or Tuesday, the executives said.

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