Clippers' coach Del Negro will return next season

The Los Angeles Clippers announced Tuesday that they have picked up their option on coach Vinny Del Negro's contract, which means he will return as the team's coach next season.

The Clippers had until June 1 to decide whether to bring Del Negro back for his third season with the Clippers, and it was unclear what they would do.

The preseason acquisition of Chris Paul raised expectations considerably, and the Clippers lost in the second round of the playoffs this season, getting swept in four games by the San Antonio Spurs.

The Clippers had won their first-round series in seven games over Memphis.

The team's winning percentage of .606 this season was the highest in franchise history.