Clippers say Paul did not get Del Negro fired

Los Angeles Clippers executive Gary Sacks told ESPN that Chris Paul had nothing to do with the firing of coach Vinny Del Negro.

The comments came after Clippers owner Donald Sterling earlier suggested that the team fired Del Negro to appease Paul, their point guard who will become a free agent next month.

"The decision not to extend a contract to Vinny Del Negro was an organizational decision from the top down," said Sacks, the Clippers vice president of basketball operations. "Our front office evaluated the season and Vinny's three years here before making this move, and our conclusion and feeling was that we needed a change."

Paul is reportedly angry with the Clippers after Sterling told the Los Angeles Times, "This is a players' league, and, unfortunately, if you want to win you have to make the players happy."

ESPN reported that Del Negro told people close to him that Paul got him fired.