Denver Nuggets coach George Karl helped his young team to a 57-25 record and third-place finish in the Western Conference. It wasn't enough to keep his job. With one year left on his contract, Denver fired Karl on Thursday. Recent reports suggest the 2013 Coach of the Year won't stay unemployed for long. The Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly interested in hiring Karl, which could help keep Chris Paul in a Clips uniform.
ESPN reported on Wednesday that Karl was on their short list of coaching candidates. At the time, the 62-year-old coach seemed a less likely possibility than the others because Denver still had him under contract for next season. The Clippers didn't even request permission to speak with Karl.
Thursday's firing could increase the Clippers' interest in him. The team's primary target this offseason is Indiana Pacers assistant Brian Shaw, according to ESPN. The Clippers are competing with the Brooklyn Nets and now, according to Yahoo! Sports, the Denver Nuggets for Shaw's services.
If the Clippers fail to woo Shaw to Los Angeles, their list of possible coaches will shorten. Memphis Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins has said he wants to stay in Memphis. Talks with ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy have cooled. That knocks down their list to former Cleveland coach Byron Scott, former Phoenix coach Alvin Gentry and Karl.
The Clippers organization, which apparently lets its players call the shots on personnel decisions, would have to choose whichever coach they think gives them the best chance at keeping soon-to-be free agent Paul in a Clips uniform.
Karl is a winner. He maximized the talent on the post-Carmelo Anthony roster and kept Denver a winning team. The last time he had a losing record was during the 1987-88 season with the Golden State Warriors, who eventually fired him.
His proven ability to win could assuage Paul's concern of playing for a credible coach.
Still, even if Paul would want to play for Karl, the Clippers will still have to compete with the Dallas Mavericks and Atlanta Hawks when he becomes a free agent on July 1. Paul has been mum on his intentions this summer, aside from reportedly being "angry" at the Clippers for suggesting he was involved in former coach Vinny Del Negro's firing.
Teams can officially begin pursuing him in less than a month.
