The Los Angeles Clippers had a breakthrough season this year after going 56-26 and winning the Pacific Division title and after getting eliminated in the playoffs by the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round in six games, the immediate future of the team is uncertain, as Vinny Del Negro and point guard Chris Paul may not return.
Paul is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, while Del Negro's deal is up in June and one of the biggest factors in him returning has to do with Paul and if he will re-sign. The organization will likely ask Blake Griffin and Paul about keeping Del Negro and the possibility of other coaches and the return of Del Negro could depend on that, while vice president of basketball operations Gary Sacks said he felt that Paul would decide to return.
Paul said that he has not yet thought about what he will do next year and while it appears likely that he will re-sign, when he makes it to free agency he will have offers from other teams, possibly the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets and maybe even the New York Knicks. The Clippers lost in Game 6 against the Grizzlies 118-105 to lose the series 4-2 and the team was one of the most balanced in the league during the regular season, ranking ninth in points score and fourth in points allowed per game. The team outshined the Lakers all season and in the playoffs, something the franchise has not done in years.
If the Clippers get rid of Del Negro, there are a number of coaching candidates they could go for, including Stan Van Gundy, Byron Scott and Alvin Gentry. Reports say that Paul enjoys living in Los Angeles and had a good time after joining the Clippers, but nothing is a sure thing. One of the biggest factors in favor for the Clippers with Paul is the fact that they can give him more years and more money to him than any other team, $30 million more guaranteed since they would be re-signing him. The Clippers had hoped to advance to the second round, where they would have played the Oklahoma City Thunder without point guard Russell Westbrook. Paul was one of the top players in the NBA last season and averaged 16.9 points per game, 9.7 assists and 2.4 steals per game, which led the league, over last season.
Paul could be an interesting option for the Lakers, who may lose Dwight Howard and will have to wait for Kobe Bryant to return from injury. The team brought in Steve Nash last season, but he was hurt and things mostly didn't work out. Paul was originally supposed to be a Laker when the NBA nixed the trade and this could be a way to right that wrong. Paul loves playing in LA and while Clippers fans could feel betrayed, it may be in the best interests for Paul to switch locker rooms at the Staples Center, as the Lakers are a prime franchise and need a new star once Kobe retires, which sadly may be soon with the injury.
