The Washington Wizards finally made their head coaching decision, naming Wes Unseld Jr. as the head man to try and get Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal back to the playoffs. Unseld Jr. spent the previous half-decade plus with the Denver Nuggets as an assistant and finally got a head coaching gig.
As it turns out, Nuggets star point guard Jamal Murray spoke highly of Unseld Jr. during the hiring process.
Was just told that Jamal Murray spoke to the Wizards on Wes Unseld Jr.’s behalf. Hard to find a better endorsement than that.
Wes was introduced today as the Wizards’ new head coach. Picture is from today. (Zoom in to see Wes Unseld hanging in the rafters). pic.twitter.com/nvl5ljTrZk
— Mike Singer (@msinger) July 19, 2021
He was introduced as the Wizards head coach on Monday and will kick off the new era in Washington with the NBA Draft and free agency just around the corner.
While Unseld Jr. is more than qualified, and long past due to be granted a head coaching gig, receiving an endorsement for a player of Murray's stature is always helpful.
With Unseld Jr. in the fold in Denver, the Nuggets have found success year after year, including a trip to the Western Conference Finals last season in the Orlando Bubble, before falling to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Unseld Jr. is ready to roll, and it has been a long time in the making for him to land a head coaching job and perhaps the advocation from the Nuggets star helped sway the Wizards' decision just a tiny bit.