Hornets Sign Silas For 4 Years

Charlotte interim coach Paul Silas has accepted a $6 million deal that will make him the sideline leader of the Hornets for the next four years, according to media reports.

Silas, who took over for Dave Cowens when he resigned in March, agreed Monday to a contract that includes a guaranteed $4.5 million over three years with an optional fourth year, The Gaston Gazette reported in Tuesday's editions. Turner Broadcasting also reported a similar four-year deal Monday night.

Silas' dropping of the interim label should be announced Tuesday or Wednesday, the Gazette reported.

Reached at his Charlotte home late Monday night, Hornets spokesman Harold Kaufman said he knew nothing about a deal being reached.

"There's no announcement from the team on that," Kaufman said. "I know there were plans to work on a deal for coach Silas, but I hadn't heard they had reached one."

Bob Bass, the team's executive vice president of basketball operations declined comment Monday to the Gazette. Silas was unable to be reached for comment.

After the Hornets started the season under Cowens with a 4-11 mark, Silas guided the team to a 22-13 record for the rest of this season. But the Hornets' failed to reach the playoffs for the first time since 1996.

Silas guided the old San Diego Clippers to a 78-168 mark in three seasons as their head coach immediately after completing a 16-year NBA career. He also had been an assistant with New Jersey, New York and Phoenix before coming to Charlotte as an assistant.

Cowens resigned after he became publicly frustrated with his salary, which ranked last in the league two of the three years he was with Charlotte. Cowens was paid an average of $628,000 per season with the Hornets.

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