Truth & Rumors > NBA

07:59 AM ET 05.18 | There is a lot of interest in the fate of Los Angeles Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro heading in to the offseason. Immediately after the team was eliminated in the first-round of the NBA playoffs by the Memphis Grizzlies, there was some chatter that Del Negro would not be brought back after winning a franchise record 56 wins during the regular season. Earlier this week, there was another report that the team was considering the option of bringing him back. Quite frankly, only team owner Donald Sterling has any idea what Del Negro's fate will hold, and it looks like the two will meet over the weekend as they decide what the best option is moving forward.

FanSided.com

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05:07 PM ET 05.18 | As much heat as he takes, it doesn't appear center Kendrick Perkins will be leaving Oklahoma City soon. Thunder GM Sam Presti said Saturday the team hasn't even considered using the amnesty clause on the embattled big man, despite the apparent deterioration in his performance the past few years. Once considered a talented defender, the kind of physical presence OKC would need to win postseason games, Perkins has devolved into an utterly ineffective two-way player with questionable value this year. Considering he's owed $18.63 million over the next two seasons, many have wondered why the Thunder don't simply cut bait on Perkins and waive him using the amnesty clause. Though the team would still be saddled with paying most of his salary, the possible luxury tax savings alone justify the move to many analysts. Still, Presti continues to defend Perkins and his contract. "We think Perk has a lot of value to our team," the GM said.

The Oklahoman

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04:57 PM ET 05.18 | The ankle injury currently plaguing Boston Celtics big man Kevin Garnett likely will not require surgery this offseason as the team's medical staff believes rest will be enough to solve the problem. This is presumably good news as the future Hall of Famer contemplates whether he'll return for an 18th NBA season or decide to call it quits following the team's brief trip to the postseason. Garnett, 36, battled ankle issues throughout the 2012-13 season, missing eight consecutive games at one point this spring. He still managed to average 12.7 points and 13.7 rebounds per game during the Celtics' first-round series against the New York Knicks, but there were times when he clearly wasn't playing 100 percent and it cost Boston in a tight match-up. Entering next season, KG still has two years and roughly $24 million remaining on his contract, so he'll be passing up significant money if he retires.

The Boston Herald

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04:46 PM ET 05.18 | Hall of Fame NBA coach Jerry Sloan decided this week that he's no longer interested in the Milwaukee Bucks' head coaching vacancy. The news comes after Sloan met with Bucks officials last week, according to the man advising Sloan through his coaching free agency, longtime player representative Keith Glass. Sloan, who has not coached since leaving the Utah Jazz amidst a good deal of turmoil in 2010, emerged as a leading candidate in Milwaukee after interviewing for the gig. Still, Glass said Sloan eventually decided he "doesn't really feel it's the right fit for him right now," though he's still interested in other opportunities that may arise. At 71 years old, Sloan is third all-time on the NBA's coaching wins list with 1,221 victories, so it's hard to imagine him signing up to take over a team lacking title aspirations.

NBA.com

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04:36 PM ET 05.18 | Should the Cleveland Cavaliers fail to land one of the top two picks in next month's NBA Draft, it's expected that the team will select a small forward like Georgetown's Otto Porter Jr. and use its other first-round pick on a back-up big man. Though it's still relatively early in the draft process -- the Cavs still don't know exactly where they'll pick yet -- Cleveland appears to have begun targeting certain players with its current roster in mind. Porter, or a similarly rated wing like Indiana's Victor Oladipo, would certainly make sense for a Cavaliers team that has an elite young point guard in Kyrie Irving, plus developing bigs like Tristan Thompson and Tyler Zeller. Kentucky's Nerlens Noel will surely appeal to any team should he be available, but upgrading from incumbent small forward Alonzo Gee could be the most obvious way of improving the team quickly.

The Plain Dealer

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