Denver Nuggets NBA 2015 news: Former Kings head coach Mike Malone granted a second interview

The Denver Nuggets are shown in this file photo.(Reuters)

The Denver Nuggets seem to be inching closer to finding a new head coach since interim head coach Melvin Hunt took over the position after granting former Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Malone a second interview.

Hunt took over last March after the Nuggets sacked former head coach Brian Shaw who compiled a 56-85 record since being appointed before the start of the 2013-14 season.

In a report by ESPN, a source said after Malone's first interview with the Nuggets last week before the start of the NBA Finals he was considered to be a top candidate for the vacancy along with Hunt.

Although former Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers head coach Mike D' Antoni's position in the race for the coaching job is undetermined.

D' Antoni was interviewed first for the position by Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly but it looks like Malone is being favored more by Denver over the 64-year-old coaching veteran.

If Malone gets hired by the Nuggets, it will be just his second head coaching stint in around 20 years of coaching experience.

He was a collegiate assistant from 1994-2001 before continuing as an assistant coach in the NBA for the New York Knicks (2001-2005), Cleveland Cavaliers (2005-2010), New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans, 2010-2011) and the Golden State Warriors (2011-2013).

Malone got his first head coaching job when Kings owner Vivek Ranadive hired him on June 3, 2013.

In his first year he led Sacramento to only 28 wins and was fired last December after an 11-13 start by the Kings in the 2014-15 season.

Meanwhile, Hunt's chances of being hired as the new head coach for the Nuggets improved according to ESPN.

Nuggets players Ty Lawson and Kenneth Faried already called for the hiring of Hunt permanently.

Denver is the only remaining team without a new head coach after the New Orleans Pelicans (Alvin Gentry), Orlando Magic (Scott Skiles) and Chicago Bulls (Fred Hoiberg) inked new head coaches recently.