The Los Angeles Clippers are trying to nail down a new head coach sooner rather than later. Once they have a head coach in place, they can begin to make moves to ensure that point guard Chris Paul re-signs with the team this summer. The Clippers fired coach Vinny Del Negro reportedly because Paul was unhappy with his tactics for the team, so Los Angeles is trying to hire someone that will give Paul the versatile offense he is seeking.
The Clippers have officially reached out to NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy to see if he is interested in a coaching position. Van Gundy currently works in broadcasting after leaving the Houston Rockets in 2007. He has never directly addressed his interest in returning to coaching, but if the Clippers make a favorable deal, they could be the ones that get the coach back in the game. A source close to the former coach says he is likely waiting for the right opportunity to return with.
Since leaving coaching in 2007, Van Gundy has been the target of multiple teams in recent years. He is considered one of the best available, alongside his brother Stan Van Gundy. Stan has already made it known that he has no intentions of returning to the NBA after leaving the Orlando Magic.
Van Gundy had a great deal of success during his coaching tender. He reached the playoffs nine times while coaching for New York and Houston. He reached the NBA Finals in 1999, along with three tips to the conference semifinals while with the Knicks. With the Rockets, he had two seasons where he won 50-plus games.
The other big name in the hunt with the Clippers is current Denver Nuggets coach, George Karl. The current Coach of the Year has been of interest to the Clippers' front office. He has one year left on his current contract with the Nuggets. Denver holds the option of whether or not to sign him to a three-year extension. It seems highly unlikely that Denver lets Karl walk to the Clippers. He won 57 games for Denver this season before losing in the first round of the playoffs.
While he has refused to get involved in the coaching search, Paul will most certainly have some say in who the Clippers hire. Even if he does not verbalize it, Paul will be the focus of any hire that Los Angeles makes. They are aiming to please Paul in hopes of him becoming the future of the franchise for years to come.
