Clippers Notes: Paul, Del Negro, Griffin, Young

Earlier today we passed along what we heard from the Clippers following their elimination from the playoffs last night.  The news from L.A. continues to come in, so let's check in again, with the latest updates on top and earlier items below the jump:

  • Chris Paul, who's indicated before that he'll sign a long-term extension with the team, was giving GM Neil Olshey suggestions on moves to improve the team in the wake of its sweep at the hands of the Spurs, writes Matt Stevens of the Los Angeles Times. Olshey takes that as a sign his star is "all in" heading into the final year of his contract.
  • Speaking to reporters today, Olshey was non-committal on whether the team will pick up its option for coach Vinny Del Negro for next season, as Stevens writes in a separate piece. The report also examines the future for Blake Griffin, who's eligible for an extension to his rookie contract this summer.
  • Sam Amick of SI.com this morning rounded up the questions surrounding Paul, Griffin, Del Negro and the future of the franchise.

  • The acquisition of shooting guard Nick Young from the Wizards proved to be a smart move by the Clippers, writes Matt Stevens of the Los Angeles Times. The former USC star provided the Clippers with a scoring spark off of the bench during the playoffs as he averaged 8.8 PPG. Young also demonstrated a willingness to play hurt when his team needed him the most as he put off dental surgery to have a wisdom tooth removed.
  • Vincent Bonsignore of the Los Angeles Daily News says the real work for the Clippers begins now as they head into the offseason and it starts by bringing back head coach Vinny Del Negro for another season. Del Negro's value to the Clippers stems from his ability to always get his players to play hard for him even when the team is struggling as they did during the month of March. The Clippers hold a team option for Del Negro for the 2012/2013 season after he led the team to a 40-26 record this past season.
  • Blake Griffin will have to decide whether to accept a five-year extension from the Clippers this summer, but he hasn't had a chance to think about it yet, reports Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com. "I haven't given it one ounce of thought," Griffin said. "That's been the furthest thing from my mind, honestly. I know that's kind of the popular thing to say, but I haven't thought about it. I'll get to that when it comes." Griffin, 23, saw his numbers go down in his second season as the Clippers provided the former Oklahoma star with a more balanced attack thanks to the addition of Chris Paul and Caron Butler.

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