The Denver Nuggets had a strong regular season that was overshadowed by a first round loss in the playoffs to the Golden State Warriors. With offseason now here for the team, changes are already being made. General manager Masai Ujiri has departed to the Toronto Raptors meaning that head coach George Karl might be the next one out.
There is no question that Karl is an excellent coach and has brought Denver a large amount of success over the past few seasons. However, his expiring contract has many believing that he could follow Ujiri and not return. Ramona Shelburne of ESPN Los Angeles reports that Karl's status is "unsettled" in Denver after Ujiri departed.
The current coach of the year is certainly not in danger of losing his job, but as new management steps in, Karl could begin the season on the hot seat. The Nuggest have only advanced past the first round of the playoffs once in the past 10 seasons. With one year left on his contract, Karl might not be as safe as some assume. There have been no talks of an extension so far.
After being the main man in Denver for the past nine seasons, the Nuggets may give him the same treatment as Ujiri and not be willing to pay him a large amount of money. Other teams have certainly taken notice to this. The Los Angeles Clippers are already in pursuit of the coach.
After firing Vinny Del Negro, the Clippers are in desperate need to get a proven head coach that will please Chris Paul. The team has already begun initial talks with Karl, but has not been given formal permission to speak with him. Karl has a strong track record in coach and could be the guy that gets Paul to sign an extension with Los Angeles and not head elsewhere during free agency.
The Clippers certainly have other candidates they are considering should Karl not be available. Jeff Van Gundy, Brian Shaw and Alvin Gentry are on the short list of possible coaches. If Karl is given permission to pursue other opportunities, he could see himself becoming the front-runner for the Clippers.
Denver president Josh Kroenke has given his endorsement to Karl for next season. He stressed that Karl is under contract and at this point the team have given no thought to having that change.