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Wes Unseld, Jr. is the frontrunner for the Wizards head coaching position

Shams Charania and Fred Katz reported that on Thursday that the Denver Nuggets assistant coach is the Wizards’ top choice.

By Albert Lee Updated

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Western Conference Semifinals - Denver Nuggets v Portland Trail Blazers
Wes Unseld, Jr. looks like he’s going to be the next Washington Wizards head coach after all.
Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images

Denver Nuggets assistant coach Wes Unseld, Jr. is the frontrunner for the Washington Wizards’ head coaching position, according to Shams Charania and Fred Katz of The Athletic.

This is a significant development, since yesterday, Unseld was reported to be a finalist along with Milwaukee Bucks assistant coaches Darvin Ham and Charles Lee. Of the two, Ham appeared to be a co-frontrunner with Unseld. But apparently, the Wizards are more intrigued to bring back Unseld, who has served on the Wizards’ coaching staff from 2005-11. Since being in Denver, Unseld has a been one of the most respected assistants in the NBA. In an article Katz and Charania wrote on Tuesday (subscription required), Unseld has been a defensive coach in Denver where they have been consistently better than the league average.

In addition, Unseld has deep ties beyond being a one-time assistant coach. He is the son and namesake of the late Wes Unseld, the Wizards’ most important player and figure in franchise history. There is no doubt that there are a significant number of people who want to see Unseld, Jr. reunited with the Wizards and it’s like a “Circle of Life” moment for them, especially with him returning as the head coach.

Let us know your thoughts on Unseld likely “coming back home” in the comments below.