Clippers’ coaching search focusing on George Karl, Brian Shaw

As the NBA coaching carousel continues to spin, the Clippers too find themselves caught up in the whirlwind of it all because they’re still looking for a coach.

Now that George Karl has been fired by the Denver Nuggets, he has become a strong candidate to replace former Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro along with Indiana Pacers associate head coach Brian Shaw, according to two NBA executives who were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

Clippers owner Donald Sterling really likes Karl, one executive said. Sterling likes the idea that Karl was named the NBA’s coach of the year in 2013 for the Nuggets for leading them to a 57-25 record.

The Clippers’ front office of vice president of basketball operations Gary Sacks and director of basketball operations Eric Miller — Sterling’s son-in-law — both really like Shaw, an NBA executive said.

The Clippers are trying to set up a face-to-face interview with Shaw early next week, the executive said.

There have been reports that the Brooklyn Nets also are interested in Shaw and are trying to interview him soon for their coaching vacancy.

Karl, 62, had one year left on his contract when he was fired by Denver on Thursday.

Karl’s Nuggets had the best home record (38-3) in the NBA this season, but Denver was upset by the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

He has a 1,131-756 record over 25 seasons as a coach.

Karl led the Seattle SuperSonics to the 1996 NBA Finals, where they lost to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.

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broderick.turner@latimes.com

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