The Washington Wizards are closing in on a deal to hire Denver Nuggets associate coach Wes Unseld Jr. as their next head coach, according to Darren M. Haynes of WUSA-9. A press conference is scheduled for Monday to introduce Unseld to Wizards fans and media.
Unseld has great deal of familiarity with the Wizards organization. He was an assistant coach from 2005-2011 in Washington. Additionally, his father is Bullets legend the late Wes Unseld Sr., who played for the franchise from 1968-1981. The elder Unseld also served as an assistant, head coach and general manager staying with the organization until 1997.
Unseld Jr. was among several finalists consisting of assistant coaches from around league for the Wizards head coach opening. That list included Milwaukee Bucks assistants Darvin Ham and Charles Lee.
From early on in the search, Unseld Jr. had emerged as the “leading candidate.”
He reportedly has been around the Wizards facilty the past week.
He’s a respected assistant around the league. After leaving the Wizards, Unseld Jr. has made stops at Golden State, Orlando and most recently Denver. He spent the past seven seasons with the Nuggets under Mike Malone.
