In what can at the very least be described as a surprising move, the Denver Nuggets have opted to release head coach George Karl less than a month after Karl was named NBA Coach of the Year. Karl had one year remaining on his contract. He was looking for a long-term contract from the Nuggets, but President Josh Kroenke opted instead to part ways with the veteran coach.
The Nuggets are now looking for both a head coach and a general manager, after last week’s news that Masai Ujiri was taking over the same role for the Toronto Raptors. The new GM will have the ability to hire his own coach.
Kroenke released a statement saying: “George has been an instrumental part of our success over the past decade, and we appreciate everything he did to keep us among the top teams in the Western Conference. He is a Hall of Fame coach whose legacy in Denver will last for years to come. George is a legend in the game of basketball and I could not have more respect for him as a person and coach.”
The move is surprising due to the Success Karl had this season. Taking a lineup lacking in real star power, Karl took this years Nuggets and led them to 57 wins, and the #3 seed in the Western Conference. The Nuggets set a franchise record with a 15 game win streak earlier in the year. Unfortunately, the Nuggets suffered a first round upset to the Golden State Warriors and this may have sealed his fate.
Karl took the move in stride, tweeting, “I want to thank Nuggets fans for their support over the past 8 yrs. The karma on the street was incredible. Denver will always be home.”
Rumors already have the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies interested in Karl for their vacant head coaching positions.
Another potential landing spot might be the Toronto Raptors where Ujiri has taken over as General Manager. Ujiri has given the head coach he inherited, Dwayne Casey, a lukewarm endorsement at best. Now may be the perfect time to pounce on a coach he is familiar with from their time together in Denver.
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