Report: Lionel Hollins, Brian Shaw Clear Front-Runners for Denver Nuggets Coaching Job

The Nuggets put themselves in the position of having to search for a coach, having fired reigning NBA Coach of the Year George Karl, but it looks like everything might work out for them.

Lionel Hollins, one of the most widely sought free-agent coaches on the market after he and the Grizzlies parted ways this week, and Brian Shaw, an esteemed assistant coach with the Pacers and Lakers, are at the top of Denver’s wish list, Yahoo! Sports reports. Hollins interviewed for the job on Saturday and Shaw is expected to interview next week, Adrian Wojnarowski writes.

The Nuggets will only consider other candidates if Hollins or Shaw turns them down.

That is bad news for former Suns coach Alvin Gentry and incumbent Nuggets assistant Melvin Hunt, who were considered fringe candidates for the job. It is good news for the 76ers, however, who are said to be interested in Hunt for their own open coaching position.