The Denver Nuggets have named Michael Malone as their new head coach, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.
Nuggets hire Michael Malone as head coach
Denver has replaced interim head coach Melvin Hunt with the former Sacramento Kings head coach.
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Malone will replace interim head coach Melvin Hunt, who took over for Brian Shaw in early March and led the Nuggets to 10-13 record to finish the season.
Malone was fired early last season by the Sacramento Kings after an 11-13 start. He was 39-67 in less than two seasons as the team's head coach, but is widely credited with aiding in the development of Kings star center DeMarcus Cousins. It was a losing streak that occurred while Cousins was hospitalized last season that led to Malone's firing.
Malone made the strongest impression with Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly and president Josh Kroenke, according to Wojnarowski’s sources. Malone will also be reuniting with former Kings general manager Pete D’Alessandro, who was recently hired by Kroenke to help oversee both the Nuggets and the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche.
The Nuggets also interviewed former Suns, Knicks and Lakers head coach Mike D'Antoni and had discussions with Trail Blazers assistant David Vanterpool and Wizards assistant Don Newman about their vacant head coaching position, according to Wojnarowski.
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