Byron Scott is happy with Hornets, but Lakers' job intrigues him

Reporting from New Orleans — Byron Scott wanted it to be very clear: He is very happy being the head coach of the New Orleans Hornets.

But the idea of coaching the Lakers one day is something that has intrigued him.

He spent 11 years playing for the Lakers. He won three NBA titles with the Lakers during the 1980s. He grew up in Inglewood and attended Morningside High.

When he was asked Wednesday night if he would like to coach the Lakers, Scott laughed heartily.

"I'm going to be honest, yeah, I thought about it a lot," Scott said. "That's home for me. That's an organization that will be embedded in my heart for the rest of my life."

Scott finished the last of his 14-year career playing for the Lakers in 1996-97, after spending three years away with two other teams.

Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher were rookies.

That makes the Lakers' job all the more interesting for Scott.

"I played with them, so yeah, I can never sit and tell you, 'No, I'll never think about that,' " Scott said. "Yeah, I thought it, a bunch of times."

Scott, 47, the NBA coach of the year last season, paused and smile.

He praised his current players, Chris Paul, David West, Tyson Chandler and Peja Stojakovic.

His team lost in the Western Conference semifinals last year and is considered one of the top teams in the conference this year.

"I love the situation I'm in now," Scott said. "I love this team . . . so I don't see myself leaving those guys any time soon."

Scott said if Hornets owner George Shinn wanted to move in another direction without Scott when his contract expires after the 2009-10 season, he'd have to look elsewhere.

"But I can't think of a more perfect job for me than this Hornet job that I have here," Scott said. "But my next choice would obviously be back home."

Lakers Coach Phil Jackson, 63, is in the first year of a two-year, $23-million contract that he can opt out after this season.

Scott signed a two-year, $10-million contract this summer.

Scott and Jackson could be at the end of their contracts at the same time.

"I've got this year and next year on my contract, so it'll be interesting," Scott said. "But I will say this. If Mr. Shinn came to me and said, 'Coach, we want to sign you to a long-term deal,' I would be ready for that deal."

Turner is a Times staff writer

broderick.turner@latimes.com