This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Los Angeles • Coach Vinny Del Negro is proud of the Los Angeles Clippers' breakthrough season, even while he doesn't know if he'll be around for the next one.
Del Negro's contract expires this summer. He led the Clippers to a club-record 56 victories and their first Pacific Division title this season, but Los Angeles lost to Memphis in six games in the first round of the playoffs.
Del Negro expects to know his future fairly soon, after a conversation with owner Donald Sterling. The coach is 128-102 in three seasons in charge of the Clippers.
Clippers vice president of basketball operations Gary Sacks also expects an imminent decision on Del Negro's future.
Sacks also says he's "very confident" the club will re-sign point guard Chris Paul, an unrestricted free agent this summer.