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Ranking Potential Denver Nuggets Head Coaching Candidates

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Ranking Potential Denver Nuggets Head Coaching Candidates

Los Angeles Clippers v Denver Nuggets
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After the hiring of Brian Shaw did not go as planned, the Denver Nuggets are left searching for their next head coach. Whoever the Nuggets hire will be put in charge of getting the team back into the playoffs for the first time since 2013. The list of possible candidates is diverse as it ranges from former head coaches to up-and-coming assistants. With only a handful of people currently in the running, here is how they rank from worst to first.

6. Mike Woodson

Mike Woodson
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6. Mike Woodson

Mike Woodson
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Having not yet received an interview with the team, Mike Woodson still remains only a name that is rumored to possibly be of interest for the Nuggets. After previous stops as a head coach in Atlanta and New York, Woodson became an assistant for Doc Rivers and the Clippers back in 2014. Even if the Nuggets eventually do express any sort of formal interest in Woodson, he is likely remain at the bottom of their list.

5. Mike D'Antoni

Mike D'Antoni
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5. Mike D'Antoni

Mike D'Antoni
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The architect of the modern-day up-tempo offense, Mike D'Antoni is one of the names most connected to the Nuggets' opening. Unlike many of the other candidates, D'Antoni would look to focus on the team’s offense rather than their defense. The only concern that comes with hiring D'Antoni is that since leaving the Suns in 2008, he has struggled as a head coach, compiling a 188-254 record since then with zero playoff wins.

4. Don Newman

Don Newman
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4. Don Newman

Don Newman
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Currently with the Wizards, Don Newman has served as an NBA assistant for over 16 years. Since joining the team in 2012, Newman has been in charge of the Wizards’ continually improving defense. Prior to his time with the Wizards, Newman spent eight years with the Spurs, during which they won two NBA Championships. There, he was largely responsible for working with Tim Duncan and developing the team's defense.

3. Melvin Hunt

Melvin Hunt
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3. Melvin Hunt

Melvin Hunt
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The interim head coach for 23 games last season, Melvin Hunt led the Nuggets to a 10-13 record to close out the year. Although his record with the team was below .500, the Nuggets players seemed to respond well to Hunt while he was the head coach. While the Nuggets continue to interview other candidates, don't be surprised if at the end of the process, Hunt is the one who is eventually given the job.

2. David Vanterpool

David Vanterpool
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2. David Vanterpool

David Vanterpool
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One of the most recent candidates to receive an interview, David Vanterpool is someone the Nuggets should strongly consider. At 42 years of age, Vanterpool only has three years of NBA assistant coaching experience under his belt, but he has already been considered for previous openings, such as with the 76ers. Thanks to his work with All-Star Damian Lillard, Vanterpool is viewed as one of the league's next up-and-coming head coaches.

1. Mike Malone

Mike Malone
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1. Mike Malone

Mike Malone
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Perceived as one of the front-runners for the position, Mike Malone has already received a second interview with the Nuggets. During his time with the Kings, Malone was able to relate to his younger, veteran players and establish a defensive culture that had been missing from the franchise for years. With the Nuggets, Malone would be able to do just the same with the likes of Ty Lawson and Kenneth Faried.

Greg Sacidor is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter
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