{"id":703424,"date":"2026-04-07T14:24:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T14:24:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/703424\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T14:24:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T14:24:15","slug":"michael-malone-received-nba-interest-before-unc-hiring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/703424\/","title":{"rendered":"Michael Malone received NBA interest before UNC hiring"},"content":{"rendered":"

After nearly two weeks of searching, the UNC men’s basketball program has its next head coach<\/a>. On Monday afternoon, in a move few expected, North Carolina hired Michael Malone<\/a> to lead the charge.<\/p>\n

Malone, who’ll become a college basketball boss for the first time, is a proven winner at the professional level. Malone compiled a 510-394 record across 12 seasons as an NBA head coach: starting with the Sacramento Kings for two seasons, then spending 2015-2015 with the Denver Nuggets.<\/p>\n

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It should come as no surprise that, despite the Tar Heels hiring him, Malone generated plenty of interest from NBA teams.<\/p>\n

According to On3 Sports’ Pete Nakos, Malone was a top name in the New Orleans Pelicans’ coaching search. NBA reporter Evan Sidery said the Orlando Magic showed interest in Malone, but only if they fell out of playoff contention.<\/p>\n

Malone helped the Nuggets capture the 2023 NBA Championship, while building a star-studded roster featuring 3-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic. Denver made a questionable decision to fire Malone late in its 2024-25 regular season slate, but UNC now gets to benefit from that mistake.<\/a><\/p>\n

Despite no previous head coaching stops in college, Malone spent his 1994-2001 seasons as an assistant coach between Oakland (MI) University, Providence College and Manhattan University. Leading a program takes on plenty more responsibility, but confidence is rising Malone will succeed in Chapel Hill.<\/p>\n

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Hubert Davis wasn’t the answer at North Carolina<\/a>, despite a surprise run to the 2022 National Championship game, 2024 run to the Sweet 16 and five-consecutive 20-win seasons.<\/p>\n

With Malone now leading the Tar Heels<\/a>, the expectation is title or bust. Malone has a championship pedigree, which UNC desperately needs.<\/p>\n

Follow us\u00a0@TarHeelsWire<\/a>\u00a0on X and like our page on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Michael Malone received NBA interest before UNC basketball hiring<\/a><\/p>\n