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Karl had begun informal discussions with Ujiri about an extension, but now, with no general manager in place, Karl went to Kroenke, determined to get one. Kroenke was equally adamant he wouldn't extend the contract. The team wanted Karl to be cooperative and coach next season, but doing so knowing that the Nuggets could struggle with the expected loss of forward Danilo Gallinari until midseason as he recovers from a knee injury. In regard to the coach getting a contract extension, a source close to the situation said: "What they didn't want was George challenging it each and every day. They wanted it so that in the event that they got off to a slow start, that he'd be willing to play guys he wasn't playing, in order to (develop young talent), even if they had to take a step back with wins and losses." Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Coaching 

Karl believed he had built something strong. He wanted the security of being the guy to see it through. If anything, his vision was the opposite mind-set of Ujiri. By Wednesday, Karl had agreed to reduce his desired extension to just one additional season, a source said, but by that point, it didn't matter. Word was spreading around the league that the Nuggets and Karl soon would part ways. Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Coaching 

Once news broke about George Karl being fired in Denver, Cavs coach Mike Brown likely inquired about the availability of Nuggets assistant Melvin Hunt. Hunt would be an excellent candidate to be Brown's lead assistant. However, there are some obstacles. Hunt is still in the mix in Philadelphia for the Sixers' head coaching job. He could be a candidate for Denver's opening (they still have to pay Karl's $4 million this year, so ownership might not want to break the bank with the new coach). Also, Hunt could follow Karl to his next job and be his lead assistant. So, Brown and Hunt will likely talk, a source said, but the latter might have better options. News-Herald

Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Coaching 

The source also said Hinkie would probably not be interested in hiring recently fired Denver Nuggets coach George Karl. Karl, 62, one source said, is a great coach, but Hinkie "would probably be more interested in a younger coach" who will grow with a relatively young team. Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, George Karl, Coaching, Sam Hinkie 

In the end, Josh Kroenke was faced with a simple decision: Acquiesce to the contract extension wishes of his coach, George Karl, or cut ties and take the organization in a different direction. Kroenke chose the latter, and in a Friday morning news conference, the 33-year-old Nuggets president explained why. "We talked about our future, we talked about our different desires for the organization," said Kroenke of a conversation he had with Karl on Sunday. "We both sat down and tried to figure out the best ways for both of us moving forward. My worst-case scenario that I kept coming back to was we're obviously going to start next season without (injured forward Danilo) Gallinari, and it would be a tough situation to put George in knowing that he might want to restructure his contract already. Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Coaching, Josh Kroenke 

"If he was in the final year of his contract and we start off slow, that would be an impossible situation to put a coach of that stature in. I have the utmost respect for George Karl as a coach and as a person, and I did not want to put him in that situation. I felt that although it was a tough decision, I felt it was the right one to make at this point in time for us all to get a fresh start moving forward." Karl had one year remaining on his contract, which had a team option for three more years. Kroenke wanted Karl to coach that last season before an extension decision was made, something the coach did not want to do. Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Coaching, Josh Kroenke 

Benjamin Hochman: One reason why he didn't extend the contract of Karl: "I wasn’t sure the direction where I wanted to take the team long-term" Twitter @nuggetsnews

Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Coaching, Josh Kroenke 

For the first time since the 2004-05 season, Denver needs a coach. And in the aftermath of George Karl's firing Thursday, the team is expected to look hard at Brian Shaw and Lionel Hollins, according to a league source. The Nuggets may also look at Alvin Gentry, a source said. Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies, George Karl, Coaching, Brian Shaw, Lionel Hollins, Alvin Gentry 

Kroenke informed Karl, 62, early Thursday that he would not bring him back. Kroenke said the combination of Karl pushing for a contract extension, and the uncertainty surrounding Karl's possible interest in the Los Angeles Clippers job this week, led him to believe it was best to go in another direction. Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, George Karl, Coaching 

Nuggets ownership was steadfast that Karl would need to finish out the final season on his current contract before rewarding a coach who hadn't won a playoff series since 2009. "I have high praise for the way Josh Kroenke handled this situation — he was always sincere and straightforward," said Karl's agent, Warren LeGarie. "And when it came time to make a decision, he made one." Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Coaching, Josh Kroenke 

Chris Tomasson: Management wanted George Karl to play JaVale McGee more after they paid him all this money. Wanted him to start over Koufos but Karl said no. Management blamed George Karl for losing Golden State series. Believed he panicked by matching up small rather than by playing Nuggets game. Twitter @christomasson

Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Coaching, Javale McGee 

Peter Vecsey: Karl was fired cause he became unbearable, uncoachable, actually re demand 4 new long-term deal. Exile had zero 2 do w loss 2 GS, sayssource Twitter @PeterVecsey1

Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Coaching 

When the news came down yesterday the Nuggets had decided to part ways with reigning NBA Coach of the Year George Karl, a new name was thrown smack into the middle of the seemingly never-ending coaching carousel this spring. And though the Nets have an opening, it doesn’t appear that Karl will be filling it. The team, according to a league source, doesn’t have much interest in Karl. New York Post

Denver Nuggets, Brooklyn Nets, George Karl, Coaching 

Karl, 62, a recent cancer survivor who has won 1,887 career games, is not yet considered a candidate. A source said the Nets are looking for a "fresh face," which would also indicate Shaw is higher on the list than Hollins. New York Daily News

Denver Nuggets, Brooklyn Nets, George Karl, Coaching, Brian Shaw 

A source close to George Karl tells FOX Sports that the former Denver Nuggets head coach has yet to talk to anyone associated with the Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies or New Jersey Nets but speculated that the Clippers might be the most likely fit. FOXSports.com

Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Brooklyn Nets, George Karl, Coaching 

The source, who stressed it’s too early in the process to make any hard proclamations about Karl’s next job, also described the odds he’d end up in Memphis as “a long shot.” FOXSports.com

Memphis Grizzlies, George Karl, Coaching 

Still, the source close to Karl told FOX Sports that Memphis could be an unlikely fit because the team seems unwilling to pay a premium for a premium coach. The Clippers and owner Donald Sterling, however, are ready to pony up big dollars for the right candidate, the source said. FOXSports.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, George Karl, Coaching, Donald Sterling 

But a person familiar with Memphis’ thinking refuted that notion. “That’s not true,” the source said, stressing that Memphis recognizes the unique position the organization is in. The Grizzlies are coming off of a Western Conference finals appearance and returning a team they see as having a window right now to win an NBA championship. FOXSports.com

Memphis Grizzlies, George Karl, Coaching 

The Clippers have been keeping an eye on Karl's situation in Denver for several weeks, knowing he may become available, according to sources. They had preliminary discussions with Denver before the two sides formally parted ways on Thursday morning, but had not officially asked permission to speak with him. ESPN.com

Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, George Karl, Coaching 

Karl was “pushing” for a new deal, a source said Thursday—“in his mind, not unreasonable. He felt he needed to have it. The uncertainty of Andre Iguodala, the uncertainty of when Gallo (forward Danilo Gallinari) would be back (from his ACL tear, suffered late last season). He felt like after 10 years of proving himself as a coach, he deserved it. They just didn’t feel that.” NBA.com

Denver Nuggets, Andre Iguodala, George Karl, Coaching, Danilo Gallinari