NBA: LA Clippers Won't Renew Coach Vinny Del Negro's Contract; Looking at Van Gundy Brothers, Lionel Hollins As Possible Replacement

The Los Angeles Clippers have informed head coach, Vinny Del Negro, that his contract will be allowed to expire, with no new offer on the table, according to Yahoo! Sports basketball columnist, Adrian Wojnarowski.

Del Negro coached the Clippers to one of their best records in team history - including a franchise-record 17-game winning streak - finishing out the regular-season with a team-record 56 wins and claiming the Pacific Division title.

Del Negro led Los Angeles to the Western Conference semifinals last year, but were eliminated this post-season in the first round by the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Clippers had previously stated that both Chris Paul (who will be a free agent at the conclusion of the 2012-2013 National Basketball Association (NBA) season) and Blake Griffin would be consulted in the hiring process for a new coach.

According to Wojnarowski, Paul wanted the team to go in a different coaching direction. While Clippers owner, Donald Sterling, is fond of Del Negro and his work over the last two seasons, the team felt they had to do whatever was necessary to re-sign Paul to a new deal.

Los Angeles is looking at former Cleveland and New Orleans coach Byron Scott, Jeff and Stan Van Gundy, Golden State assistant Michael Malone, former Portland coach Nate McMillan, former Phoenix coach Alvin Gentry, San Antonio assistant coach Mike Budenholzer.

Sterling was also seen courtside in San Antonio, for the Grizzlies' Western Conference Finals Game 1 against the Spurs, sparking speculation the team may be coveting Memphis head coach Lionel Hollins, who is not under contract beyond this season.