The Los Angeles Clippers are on the search for a new head coach after getting rid of Vinny Del Negro and the biggest issue for the team going forward is ensuring that they keep franchise star Chris Paul in LA.

The team is planning to go hard at Paul when free agency starts and along with the point guard, another free agent for the team in Matt Barnes says that he thinks Paul will stay with the team. Barnes spoke to ESPN.com about the offseason and said that if he had the chance to bet on it, both himself and Paul will return to the team. He said he felt that the Clippers had solid chemistry and that Paul was very comfortable with the Clippers.

Barnes knows Los Angeles from his time there before and he said that Paul was one reason he ended up with the Clippers in the first place by recruiting him there. Barnes had a very good season for the Clippers and put up career high numbers with 10.3 points and 4.6 rebounds and in his exit interview with the team he said that Paul already started working on him to return. Barnes said that he has made no decisions yet and that he will sit down with his family and decide on what to do next season as summer approaches. Barnes said that he is ready for a bigger contract after having a good season and that he has played for the mid-level and has done it well.

Barnes put up some great numbers during the season and especially in the playoffs, as he had 30 points and 10 rebounds in the decisive Game 6 against the Memphis Grizzlies. Barnes said that he is open to other cities, but if he could choose he would stay in LA with Paul. The Clippers had a 2-0 lead on the Grizzlies but could not hold on, leaving the Grizz to advance to the West finals.

Barnes said he would like more money and he is a very LA guy, as he played for the Lakers and went to UCLA for college. While he was with the team he didn't get along with Lakers coach Mike Brown, but now that he is gone, staying there is a possibility.

"From what I heard after it ended, Mike Brown didn't want me back," Barnes said. "However true that is but that was from a pretty reliable source that I talked to throughout the year. That was the deciding factor. Mike Brown wanted to go in a different direction and give some of the younger guys a try."

"I had a great season with the Clippers and my family is very comfortable here in L.A.," Barnes said. "So the Clippers are going to be one of my top choices, but we're looking for a pay increase."