Current Nuggets assistant Melvin Hunt as apparently become a serious option to be promoted to head coach, according to John Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Mitchell tweeted that Denver is seriously considering promoting Hunt and making him the 20th head coach of the Denver Nuggets. Hunt has spent the last three seasons as a assistant for Denver, he spent the previous five seasons as a assistant with the Cleveland Cavaliers during the LeBron James era. Current Cleveland Cavaliers and former Los Angeles Lakers head coach Mike Brown, who Hunt spent five seasons under said this about the 42 year old coach “He’s intelligent, he’s trustworthy, he works really hard and he has a presence as an assistant coach,” Brown said. “I think when you start combining those things, now you’re talking head coach. It’s just a matter of time, in my opinion, before he gets a shot.”
Hunt was responsible for coming up with game plans with former coach George Karl and is know for his work in developing players. He spent last summer overseas working out with forward Danilo Gallinari and center Timofey Mozgov. If the Nuggets were to promote Hunt, I think it would be a solid move as he is already familiar with Denver’s current system both offensively and defensively. Plus it could make for a smooth transition in hiring Hunt, as the current group of player’s on Denver’s roster is already comfortable with Hunt. Another positive in hiring Hunt, would be his communication skills. Over the past three seasons Hunt, has been very vocal on the sidelines and is known to be a player’s coach. According to multiple reports, Hunt is also being considered by the Philadelphia 76ers for their head coaching opening.