According to ESPN Insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the Denver Nuggets have granted permission for assistant coach Wes Unseld Jr. to interview for the Cleveland Cavaliers head coaching job.
The Cavaliers are looking for a new head coach after Larry Drew — their interim coach for last year — and the organization decided to part ways after the season was over. Drew took over the Cavaliers once former Head Coach Tyronn Lue was relieved of his duties. The latter is now being rumored as a candidate for the Los Angeles Lakers position.
For Denver, the departure would be a major loss as Unseld Jr. has played an instrumental part in helping improve the Nuggets defense. Unseld Jr. has become Denver’s proverbial defensive coordinator and has been key in the team’s success on that end of the court.
Unseld Jr. was hired by Denver back in 2015, where he has since worked his way up to being the Nuggets lead assistant. This came after Unseld Jr. also made stops with the Washington Wizards, Golden State Warriors and Orlando Magic.
The Nuggets are currently in the midst of a playoff run, so there is no telling when Unseld Jr.’s interview may take place. This is already the second time this offseason that Cleveland and Unseld Jr. have been connected, with an interview being the next step in that development.
Denver will be back in action tomorrow night when they face the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals. Tip-off for that game is set for 8:30 pm MDT and will be televised nationally on ESPN.
