Marc J. Spears of the Denver Post reports: The Denver Nuggets' coaching search is taking a few different turns. Thursday, one candidate decided to take his name out the hat; another talked about his interview on Saturday; and a former Nuggets great said he hoped to be considered.
Mike Dunleavy, who had coaching stints with the Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee and Portland, said Thursday that he would not be interested in the Nuggets' opening.

Dunleavy said he had been intrigued by the job, but his view changed after Denver traded Nick Van Exel and Raef LaFrentz to Dallas on Feb. 21. He said forward Antonio McDyess being able to opt out of his contract in 2003 was a deterrent as well.

Meanwhile, Milwaukee assistant Terry Stotts was enthusiastic about interviewing with general manager Kiki Vandeweghe on Saturday in Los Angeles.

Stotts has been an assistant for coach George Karl in Seattle from 1993-98 and with the Bucks since '98. Stotts has a connection with Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke. He coached Kroenke's son Josh, who plays at Missouri, on a prep all-star team that played in Europe in the summer of 1998. Stotts has recently interviewed for coaching openings in Detroit, Portland and Atlanta.

"I'm very excited about it," Stotts said. "It's a great opportunity. Denver, as a team and a franchise, is a unique situation with a team rebuilding with still some all-star players. Down the line, Kiki has positioned the franchise to improve not only this coming year, but after that."

Cincinnati coach Bob Huggins is expected to interview soon. Another college coaching candidate is Kentucky's coach Tubby Smith.

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said the Nuggets have not contacted him about permission to interview Dallas assistants Del Harris or Donn Nelson. Harris, who has coached Milwaukee, Houston and the Lakers, will be in Europe until June 17 to take part in coaching clinics and to scout players. Harris has declined comment but could interview after his trip.

While attending next week's NBA predraft camp in Chicago, Vandeweghe has said he hopes to sneak in some interviewing. Candidates expected to be in attendance include Nelson and Utah assistant Phil Johnson. If their respective teams do not advance to the NBA Finals, Eddie Jordan, an New Jersey Nets assistant, and Lakers assistant Frank Hamblen could be there as well.

Another potential candidate who will be in Chicago is former Nuggets player Alex English, now the head coach for North Charleston of the NBA's National Basketball Development League.

The Nuggets' all-time leading scorer led the Lowgators to a league-best 36-20 record before losing in the league championship series. He last spoke to former Nuggets teammate Vandeweghe a month ago and expects to hear from him soon.

"I would love to coach the team," English said. "I've gone through this process of trying to be a part of the organization for a while now. During the last three or four years, I haven't got the opportunity for whatever reason. I was always told you've got to have experience for this and that.

Nuggets interim coach Mike Evans has had an informal interview. Nuggets assistant Clyde Drexler, who will be coaching a team at the predraft camp, has said he would have a better idea about his interest next month.