Denver Nuggets coach and reigning NBA Coach of the Year George Karl has been let go by the Denver Nuggets. Karl had one year remaining on his contract with Denver and was reportedly angling for an extension with the Nuggets, but the team didn’t want to guarantee him that contract immediately, which could’ve led to a troublesome season between Karl and Denver’s front office, notably team CEO Josh Kroenke.
Karl, 61, has coached the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Seattle Supersonics, Milwaukee Bucks, and Nuggets since 1984, compiling a regular season record of 1131-756. He has never won an NBA championship, losing once with the Supersonics to Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls in 1996.
Karl easily becomes the highest-profile coach available on the market, and while there’s no indication that the Brooklyn Nets are interested in Karl as of yet, that could change soon.
There’s also a possibility, as detailed by Marc Stein, of a “trade” between the Nuggets and Grizzlies, whereby the Grizzlies send Lionel Hollins to coach the Nuggets while the Nuggets send Karl back to Memphis. Weird? Sure. Possible? Definitely.
Topping Denver’s list to replace Karl? Brian Shaw and Lionel Hollins, the two top candidates for the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers. With fewer good coaches than good coaching openings, buckle up.
Yahoo! Sports — Source: Nuggets fire George Karl
