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Alex Kennedy: Phil Jackson isn't interested in coaching the Clippers. On Sportscenter, he was asked about Clippers' job and said, "Thanks but no thanks." Twitter @AlexKennedyNBA

Los Angeles Clippers, Phil Jackson, Coaching 

The hope is to sell Howard or Chris Paul -- who would each have to sacrifice a fifth year on the max contract that he could get from the Lakers and Clippers, respectively -- on the possibility of building a championship contender. "We'd love to get one of the main guys," Nowitzki said last week. "It's going to be tough to get them out of the situation that they're in. I think that's pretty easy [to see]. I think both are in L.A., where you want to play basketball, and both are in great positions and situations. We'll just have to wait and see." ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Draft, Trade, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard 

Jackson added that he has never had contact with the Clippers, who announced Tuesday they won’t be signing coach Vinny Del Negro to a new contract, about an opening, and also said that he was never contacted by the Knicks. “No,” Jackson said, adding he wasn’t disappointed about it. “They’re pretty locked into the people they’ve got there, and they have a nice rapport between [general manager Glen Grunwald] and [coach Mike] Woodson. “That Indiana connection goes back a long way. They think alike, they have a good idea of what they want to have. That’s pretty solid.” New York Post

Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, Phil Jackson, Coaching 

As the Clippers look for a replacement for just-let-go coach Vinny Del Negro, former Portland Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan has emerged as a potential candidate, according to several NBA executives who were not authorized to speak publicly on the situation. McMillan is one of about five candidates the Clippers’ front office is seriously considering and will present to owner Donald Sterling, one NBA executive said. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Clippers, Coaching, Nate McMillan, Donald Sterling 

Some agents, like Warren LeGarie, who reps Dunleavy—and Hollins–now insist on arbitration clauses in any contract with the Clips. Lakers Nation

Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Coaching, Mike Dunleavy, Warren LeGarie, Lionel Hollins, Agents 

Mark Heisler: Source says Lionel Hollins is No. 1 on #Clippers list w/Byron Scott, Alvin Gentry. Team officials just relieved Sterling gave in, axed VDN. Twitter @MarkHeisler

Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Byron Scott, Coaching, Lionel Hollins, Alvin Gentry 

A Clippers source told ESPN Los Angeles that the team "really is starting our search for a new coach now," but they intend to move quickly. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Coaching 

One source with knowledge of the Clippers' thinking said Phil Jackson would "pretty much be excluded" from consideration because of his engagement to Lakers executive Jeanie Buss. While the source insisted it wasn't a reflection on Jackson's coaching ability, it would simply be "too creepy" for the Clippers to bring in a coach who was engaged to the owner of their crosstown rival. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson, Coaching, Jeanie Buss 

Del Negro is just the second coach to leave the team with a winning record, following Larry Brown in 1993. "This was a difficult decision, but we feel this is the best decision for our franchise moving forward," said Gary Sacks, the Clippers' vice president of basketball operations. Del Negro and Sterling never officially met in person after the season, but they did have an extended conversation on the phone last weekend that a source described as "positive." ESPN.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Vinny Del Negro, Coaching, Larry Brown, Gary Sacks 

Sterling told Del Negro that he was "optimistic they'd bring him back," the source said, but there "were some issues with the players" they needed to sort through. "Obviously they couldn't work through those issues with the players, or, player," the source said, referring to Clippers guard Chris Paul. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Vinny Del Negro, Coaching 

Del Negro was surprised when he was informed of the organization's decision on Tuesday morning, the source said. Team president Andy Roeser thanked him for his service and said the organization would do whatever it could to help him find another job, the source said. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Vinny Del Negro, Coaching, Andy Roeser 

Mark Heisler: Source says Lionel Hollins is No. 1 on #Clippers list w/Byron Scott, Alvin Gentry. Team officials just relieved Sterling gave in, axed VDN. Twitter @MarkHeisler

Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Byron Scott, Coaching, Donald Sterling, Lionel Hollins, Alvin Gentry 

Coaching sources have maintained for weeks that Golden State assistant Michael Malone will be high on the Clippers' list since he and Paul have a good relationship from their days together in New Orleans, where Malone was an assistant under Monty Williams. Paul holds Malone in very high regard, as does James, his friend and agency-mate at CAA. Speaking of Williams, word is that Paul would love to join forces with him in L.A., but Williams is under contract and the chances of him being made available to discuss a lateral move are remote. CBSSports.com

Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans, Chris Paul, Coaching, Monty Williams, Mike Malone 

Say what you want about Sterling; it's all true. But whenever I put a question to him he tries to provide an answer. I told him I didn't understand the rationale behind Del Negro's dismissal. "The coach is a wonderful man, and I'm sad about the whole thing," Sterling said. "Was this done," I asked, "just to hang onto Chris Paul?" "I always want to be honest and not say anything that is not true," Sterling said. "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." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Clippers, Free Agency, Chris Paul, Vinny Del Negro, Coaching 

Do the Clippers really think he would accept almost $28 million less to sign elsewhere? "Here you have two inexperienced people running your basketball operation in [GM] Gary Sacks and [son-in-law] Eric Miller," I told Sterling. "And Andy Roeser doesn't have the greatest track record when it comes to basketball personnel decisions. "So I wonder, is this decision being made because the players are now calling the shots? Am I off base?" "No, you're not off base," Sterling said. "This is a players' league, and, unfortunately, if you want to win you have to make the players happy. Don't you think that's true?" Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Clippers, Free Agency, Chris Paul, Vinny Del Negro, Coaching, Donald Sterling, Andy Roeser, Gary Sacks 

Bill Reiter: Source says Hollins, Phil & Scott are indeed candidates but it's incredibly early in process and that timing of VNG ouster was a surprise. Twitter @foxsportsreiter

Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Byron Scott, Phil Jackson, Coaching, Lionel Hollins 

The Los Angeles Clippers announced today they will not offer a new contract to head coach Vinny Del Negro. A search for a new coach will begin immediately. NBA.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Vinny Del Negro, Coaching 

“We would like to thank Vinny for everything he did during his three years with the organization,” Clippers Vice President of Basketball Operations Gary Sacks said. “Vinny helped this team win a Pacific Division title and we greatly appreciate all that he and his staff helped us accomplish. This was a difficult decision, but we feel this is the best decision for our franchise moving forward.” NBA.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Vinny Del Negro, Coaching, Gary Sacks 

Ramona Shelburne: League source on Clippers decision w/ VDN today, "Once it became a reality that Donald Sterling might keep him everyone with a phone got to Donald" Twitter

Los Angeles Clippers, Vinny Del Negro, Coaching, Donald Sterling 

Adrian Wojnarowski: For the Clippers coaching job, Byron Scott has to be considered a candidate. He still keeps a close relationship with Chris Paul. Twitter @WojYahooNBA

Los Angeles Clippers, Chris Paul, Byron Scott, Coaching