Del Negro To Be Let Go Tuesday

The official announcement of Vinny Del Negro's firing will come at a Tuesday press conference scheduled at 11am. The reason it took so long was because Jerry Reinsdorf's attention was needed for this matter. Reinsdorf and Del Negro met over the weekend and undoubtedly hashed out a financial package that likely will pay Del Negro his full salary for the final year of his contract. The two also discussed terms of a buyout that will stipulate neither side bad mouths the other. This was key for Del Negro since he will look to continue his NBA coaching career elsewhere. The Bulls will also be guaranteed that Del Negro wont rip the organization or follow through on any potential legal action for the altercation with John Paxson back in March.

The Bulls will now quickly turn their attention to finding a new coach and tops on Paxson's list is Doug Collins who is a very close friend. Paxson wanted Collins as his coach two years ago and will again lobby Reinsdorf to hire him. Collins is already getting attention from both the Philadelphia 76ers and the  Charlotte Hornets so the Bulls will need to act quick.

If Collins again slips through their fingers Paxson has a short list of candidates with Maurice Cheeks prominent amoung them.

Channel 2 (WBBM) was first to report the expected firing of Del Negro