Free-agent-to-be Chris Paul is said to be unhappy with the Los Angeles Clippers organization because he is being pointed to as the reason head coach Vinny Del Negro was fired, according to ESPN.com.
It has always been believed that Paul would re-sign with Los Angeles this summer but a source told the web site that Paul might be upset enough to look at other options this summer.
“He’s angry right now and his anger is directed toward the Clippers organization,” the source said. “Chris is a man of principle and if he feels like you’ve gone against his principles, it will affect how he feels about you. He’s very agitated that his name has been put out there as the reason for Vinny’s firing. He had nothing to do with it.”
The Clippers fired Del Negro on May 21st after he led the team to a franchise-record 56 wins although they were ousted in the opening round. Team owner Donald Sterling did little to hide the fact that the move was made to please the impending free agent in an interview with the Los Angeles Times.
Sterling said: “I always want to be honest and not say anything that is not true. So I’d rather not say anything. But you know, the coach did a really good job. I think he did. And I liked working with him. There are just factors that make life very complicated and very challenging.”
Del Negro is said to believe that Paul played a part in his ouster as well.
It has been widely assumed that Paul played a part in the decision but the source told ESPN.com that the Clippers point guard had tried to avoid getting involved in the coaching decision.
“Chris made it abundantly clear to the Clippers that he did not want to be involved in any decision about Vinny’s future,” the source said. “And Blake (Griffin) had nothing to do with it, either.”
Rumours swirled mid-season about a swap involving the Celtics and Clippers which would have seen Kevin Garnett joining Los Angeles with DeAndre Jordan and Eric Bledsoe heading to Boston. The trade talks were reportedly initiated by Del Negro without the front office’s approval.
“The front office’s feelings about getting rid of Vinny were strong enough that the players didn’t need to get involved,” a source told ESPN.com.
“The reason Vinny is no longer the Clippers’ coach is because the front office didn’t think he was the guy that could get them where they were trying to go. The players didn’t have anything to do with it.”