George Karl's job status has become unsettled in the wake of former Nuggets GM Masai Ujiri's decision to leave for the Raptors, sources tell Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com. The Nuggets' first-round playoff exit is also playing a role in the uncertainty for the NBA's Coach of the Year, who's set to enter the final season of his contract in 2013/14. Instead of beginning extension talks, Karl could begin next season on the hot seat, Shelburne writes.
Karl could also begin the season on the Clippers bench instead. The Clippers have spoken to the Nuggets about Karl, but haven't requested permission to interview him, according to Shelburne. Denver has appeared unlikely to grant such permission, but the team also looks like it's unwilling to initiate discussions about an extension for Karl, who's usually uncomfortable heading into the final season of a contract, as Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports notes.
The 62-year-old Karl is sixth all-time with 1,131 wins as an NBA coach, and led the Nuggets to a franchise-record 57 wins this past season. He's led Denver to the playoffs in each of his eight seasons in charge of the team, but has only escaped the first round once in those eight tries. He's spoken in recent weeks about someday coaching in Europe with his son, though an overseas move probably isn't in his plans for the near future.