Denver Nuggets: Could George Karl leave to take head coaching job with Los Angeles Clippers?

May 8, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach George Karl during the press conference announcing him NBA coach of the year at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

It’s possible.

Per Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles, the Nuggets head coach is “unsettled” by the recent departure of former general manager Masai Ujiri. The league’s Executive of the Year recently left Denver to return to his former team, the Toronto Raptors, to take over as general manager.

George Karl, the 2013 NBA Coach of the Year, was promised job security following a disappointing exit in the first round of the playoffs. However, the Los Angeles Clippers are interested in the 57-year-old coach and may make a move to hire him.

Karl has just one year left on his contract with Denver and the Clippers are looking for an established coach who could convince Chris Paul to sign with them long-term. They’ve reached out the Nuggets but haven’t officially requested permission to speak with him, yet.

Karl has been with the Nuggets since 2005 and is No. 6 in wins by a head coach in NBA history. His job security was questioned by Nuggets fans after the seasons 57 win season resulted in a tumultuous first round loss in the 2013 playoffs. In nine seasons with the team, Karl has made it out of the first round only once.

The Clippers are also reportedly looking at ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy, Indiana assistant Brian Shaw, former Phoenix head coach Alvin Gentry, and former Cleveland head coach Byron Scott, according to Shelburne.

***

Follow @lashy on Twitter.