Nuggets Championship Coach Michael Malone Praises Kings' Jordi Fernandez

The NBA coaching carousel is an endless cycle of new jobs being created for talented coaches trying to prove themselves. This off-season, Sacramento Kings' associate head coach, Jordi Fernandez, was in line to leave the Kings to pave his path as a head coach.

After head coaching interviews with the Toronto Raptors, Milwaukee Bucks, and Phoenix Suns, Fernandez ultimately returned to Sacramento as an assistant.

Fernandez did not get an NBA head coaching job this off-season, but he landed the head coaching job of the Canadian National Team in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. This experience is as valuable for a rising coach as any other coaching job, as Fernandez looks to make the most of the opportunity.

Jordi Fernandez spoke about this experience with Brian Windhorst of ESPN:

"It's a great challenge and there is a need to get results right away. It's the best experience I can have at this moment."

As Fernandez takes on the new challenge, a familiar face praises him, with Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone giving props:

"He's going to be a head coach in the NBA. He's a people person who knows the game and has a great ability to communicate as well as build relationships with players."

Fernandez started his NBA coaching career as an assistant in Denver, working behind Malone for six seasons. Malone is familiar with Fernandez's coaching ability and knows better than anyone how he deserves a head coaching gig.

Malone is coming off a fantastic season with the Nuggets, winning the 2023 NBA Finals, led by two-time MVP and 2023 Finals MVP Nikola Jokic.

The praise from a championship-caliber head coach should put the league on notice, as Jordi Fernandez could be the next coach to make that leap. Fernandez has a clear impact on the Kings, helping the franchise go from many horrible years to a three-seed in the Western Conference.

Fernandez earning a head coaching job in the NBA is inevitable, as Kings fans need to brace themselves for the loss of one of the top assistant coaches in the league.

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