Denver Nuggets: What’s the best landing spot for Wes Unseld Jr?

Denver Nuggets assistant coach Wes Unseld Jr is a finalist for the Orlando Magic head coaching vacancy and a “leading candidate” for the Washington Wizards job.

Unseld Jr has been the associate head coach for the Denver Nuggets and an NBA assistant for over a decade. Part of his coaching career has included working as an assistant coach and scout in Washington’s front office.

At Michael Malone’s end of season press conference, he said it’s surprising that Unseld Jr hasn’t been hired already:

"“Wes Unseld Jr. doesn’t get enough credit, in my opinion, [for the Nuggets’ recent success]. It will be a huge loss for me, but I wouldn’t be more happier for Wes.“Wes has a tireless work ethic, he’s in the office at 6 am and he’s the last one to leave. I’m not saying that to make him sound good. If you ask anyone around the building, they will agree with that.“He’s very educated, great communicator, knows his stuff, and has a unique way of relating to players.”"

As one of two remaining candidates with the Magic and in the running for the Wizards job, which would be a better landing spot for the Nuggets assistant?

Denver Nuggets: Wes Unseld Jr’s fit with the Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic look to be fully entering a rebuild after trading away All-Star Nikola Vucevic and former Denver Nugget Evan Fournier this past trade deadline. The Nuggets were also part of the fire sale, trading for Aaron Gordon in exchange for Gary Harris, R.J. Hampton, and draft capital.

Orlando also has some high lottery picks throughout their roster with Markelle Fultz, Jonathan Isaac, Mo Bamba, and Wendell Carter Jr. Alongside this, there’s a crop of young players with upside in Cole Anthony, Chuma Okeke, and R.J. Hampton.

Additionally, the Magic enter this year’s NBA Draft with the fifth and eighth picks at their disposal. They received the eighth pick in the Vucevic trade.

While the team is young, unproven, and with little-to-no expectation to win, it could be a very interesting project for potential head coach Wes Unseld Jr.

Wes would come in at the very start of the rebuild and not have any pressure from the front office to win games or make it into the playoff. In fact, I’m sure Orlando general manager John Hammond would be pleased to have more losing seasons and high draft picks.

The gleam has worn off on prospects like Bamba and Carter Jr so if Unseld Jr can get anything out of those guys, he’d be welcome with Orlando fans.

With Wendell’s cerebral passing skills, there’s some potential here for Wes to replicate the high-post actions that have been so successful in his time with Denver. I won’t go too deep on that point because Nikola Jokic might be the best passer in NBA history, Wendell is… not.

Denver Nuggets: Wes Unseld Jr’s fit with the Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards job is a little less secure. In Orlando, the coach will have a few seasons of no pressure and time to develop their talent. In Washington, the front office wants to make the playoffs and even then, the team “parted ways” with Scott Brooks after making the playoffs (through the Play-In Tournament).

The obvious draw here is Bradley Beal, the Wizards’ best player and a player who seems to be in every trade rumor ever.

Beal hasn’t requested a trade and has two years remaining on his current contract extension (second year Player Option) but with no pathway to an NBA championship, the questions about his future with the team are warranted.

Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard said in his postseason press conference that the team is still committed to building around their star shooting guard:

"“We have been committed to taking the proper steps over the last two seasons to develop our young players, bring in pieces to complement Bradley Beal and build a winning environment that will ultimately lead to sustained on-court success.”"

While it’s fine and dandy to say all the right things and build around the star of today, if Beal requests a trade at any point, this job is much less desirable than the Magic gig for Unseld.

The disaster potential here is much higher than Orlando and Wes could be looking like Houston Rockets head coach Stephen Silas without James Harden by the 2021-22 trade deadline.

At the end of the day, head coaching jobs are hard to get, there’s only 30 and excluding the safe jobs (Gregg Popovich, Michael Malone, Erik Spoelstra, etc.) there are only ever a couple up for grabs a year.

Not every first-year head coach has the luxury of choosing a winning situation but if Wes Unseld Jr wants to develop his own playing style, mould a young team, and build something long-term, the Orlando Magic job is the one for him. Let’s see if they’ll hire him.