NBA

GM Neil Olshey was noncommittal when asked about Del Negro's option for next season on Monday. "That's not what we're here to talk about," he said. "I think Vinny did a great job, and that's as far as I'm going to go today." Until the Clippers decide on VDN one way or another, the speculation will continue to swirl around his job security. A decision has to be made by May 31.

Of course, any free agent signing with any team can be described as a "possibility," so let's not get too stirred up about this one. Young is from Los Angeles and ended the season with the Clippers, but there has been no connection between Young and the Lakers previously. As the roster is currently constructed, the Lakers are already well over the salary cap for next season.

Heisler links to a dated story he wrote at the beginning of May, so we're taking this report with a grain of salt. It doesn't take any inside sources to know that the Clippers will do anything possible to sign Griffin to a maximum contract extension, and the club has already said it has committed any resources necessary to make the move.

"I'm definitely going to give this a huge amount of consideration this summer. I feel like we've got some unfinished business a little bit," he said when asked about re-signing with the Clippers. He'll draw interest from a number of contenders and is no lock to remain with the Clippers.

It's a no-brainer move for Williams, who is set to earn $8.5 million and would not find that amount of money available to him on the open market. When asked if he was going to opt out, Williams said "no, I can tell you that right now." It's possible the Clippers could explore what the trade market looks like for Williams.

"I feel those things are going to get done," he said. Griffin will be eligible to sign an extension during the offseason, while Paul is only under contract through the 2012-13 season. The Clippers would be foolish to let either guy walk, but Los Angeles will have to plan very carefully in order to retain the flexibility necessary to sign each to long-term extensions.

It was a typically gritty effort from CP3, who has been playing through a groin injury that would have sidelined lesser competitors. Blake Griffin added 21 points and five rebounds despite his knee injury, while Caron Butler chucked in six points with a broken hand. The Clippers gave it all they had, but the Spurs were just too talented/healthy/deep/poised/well-coached/etc.