Report: Vinny Del Negro Expected to Be Dismissed by Los Angeles Clippers

Vinny Del Negro is a cursed man. He brought the Chicago Bulls to consecutive playoff appearances but never made it pas the first round while in Chicago. He was banished to the land where basketball used to die when he was hired by the Clippers but he’s managed to make them a respectable regular season team. But this makes two straight years Del Negro’s Clippers have choked themselves out in the playoffs and it’s looking like it will finally cost him his job.

Per ESPN guru Marc Stein, word on the street is that Vinny Del Negro’s days in L.A. seem to numbered and that the team wants to “go big” on it’s next hire.

"The consistent word in coaching circles is that the Clippers want to go “big” with their forthcoming coaching hire after what insiders continue to describe as the inevitable dismissal of Vinny Del Negro in the wake of L.A.’s first-round exit."

Stan Van Gundy’s name continues to be kicked around when it comes to possible replacements for Del Negro, but the feeling is that even if SVG doesn’t land in Los Angeles that the Clippers are still parting ways with Vinny Del Negro.

The move may also be motivated by the fact that Chris Paul can opt-out of his contract and test free agent waters this offseason. All indications are that Paul is not about to give up the fat stack of cash he’s owed in 2013-14, but we never thought he’d land in L.A. in the first place. If a big name head coach is brought in, it could lead to not only Chris Paul staying but it may end up drawing key free agents this offseason.

Del Negro’s situation isn’t hinged on Chris Paul’s, but it’s hard to believe they’re not related. Still, Del Negro really needed to make a deep run in the postseason to save his job, and even then it might not have been enough. The Clippers seems to always be bashed over the head with disappointment and Del Negro is rightfully paying the price.