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Majerus declines Karl's offer

Ex-Utah coach can't be assistant because of his ailing mother

Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News

Published July 25, 2006 at midnight

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Already armed with a pair of 60-plus assistants in Doug Moe and Tim Grgurich, Nuggets coach George Karl wanted to add a youngster to his staff.

Rick Majerus, 58, considered it. But after a day or two of pondering, he said no.

"(Karl) offered me the job a month ago," Majerus, a former University of Utah coach, said Monday. "But I can't move (to Denver) right now."

Majerus, who hasn't coached since leaving the University of Utah in January 2004 because of health reasons and has been working as an ESPN college analyst, lives in Milwaukee. He said much time is devoted to taking care of his ailing 81-year-mother, Alyce.

"If I could have gotten her to move, I might have taken it," said Majerus, who added he needs surgery on a knee but could return as a college coach as early as 2007-08.

Karl, who could not be reached, has been looking for an assistant since Scott Brooks left last month for Sacramento. Karl said last week he is not in a hurry to fill the position.

But Majerus, a longtime friend of Karl's, said he doesn't need to be a Nuggets assistant to help the team. He plans to be in Denver from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 to help Karl before and after the Oct. 3 start of training camp.

Majerus and Karl have talked this summer about players, including Keith Van Horn, a free agent forward the Nuggets are pursuing. Majerus coached Van Horn at Utah from 1993-94 to 1996-97 as well as Nuggets point guard Andre Miller from 1995-96 to 1998-99.

"George asked me about (Van Horn) at his daughter's wedding," said Majerus, who attended the July 15 event. "He definitely likes him. He's always liked Keith."

Majerus hasn't talked with Van Horn for several weeks and said he is on a hunting trip in Alaska. He said the 6-foot-10 Van Horn would be a great fit for the Nuggets.

"I think everybody knows they need shooters, and he's a shooter," Majerus said. "I think he would be a plus for the Nuggets."

Majerus said Van Horn would blend in well with the new offense Karl is installing. Karl is looking to go with a Phoenix-type attack, which includes not playing at times with a traditional center, using Carmelo Anthony more at power forward, running more and stepping up the pressure defense.

"He spaces the court," Karl said last week about what Van Horn could bring to the new attack.

For now, the Nuggets, who need at least one more big man, are being patient. Karl said he believes Van Horn understands he's "on the B-list" when it comes to July signings.

Van Horn will take a huge pay cut after making $15.7 million last season. It's doubtful the Nuggets, who have 12 players committed to make $61.6 million and want to avoid the luxury tax of $65.4 million, would be willing to pay Van Horn much more than $2 million.

"I don't think it's about money," said Majerus, who spoke with Van Horn at length about his future in May. "He wants a good fit."

Majerus believes the Nuggets could be that fit.

ETC.: Bouna Ndiaye, agent for swingman Yakhouba Diawara, flew to Denver on Monday. He expects his client today to sign his two-year, $1.1 million deal with the Nuggets. Diawara will wear No. 5 . . . Karl is optimistic his son, Boise State guard Coby Karl, will be a 2007 first-round pick.

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