If Denver Has $700,000, Daly Is ‘Intrigued’

Detroit Pistons Coach Chuck Daly apparently is trying to cash in on the big money the Denver Nuggets are offering in their search for a new general manager.

The Nuggets contacted Daly early on in their search for a new front office man, and he passed, Nuggets President Carl Scheer said. But after the Nuggets offered Georgetown Coach John Thompson a salary of at least $700,000 and 4% ownership in the team, Daly announced that he would again like to be considered for the post.

Daly said Monday that he finds the vacancy “intriguing” and hopes to meet with Nuggets officials soon.

“I think somewhere down the line I have always envisioned myself as being a general manager,” Daly said.

Scheer said he is taking a cautious approach with Daly.

“He would be a candidate, I suppose,” Scheer said. “We’ve had no official contact with Detroit, with (Pistons General Manager) Jack McCloskey or with Chuck Daly.”

Scheer said he questions Daly’s motivation, calling him “the master of leverage.” Scheer said it would only help Daly in contract negotiations with Detroit to link himself with the Denver position.

Daly has one year remaining on his contract with the Pistons. The contract has an escape clause that allows him to negotiate with any NBA team for 30 days from the end of the Detroit season.

Daly has said he is considering retiring from coaching to be an analyst with NBC after winning his second consecutive league title earlier this year. He also plans to meet with the Philadelphia 76ers about their vacant general manager post.

“I think, at this point, the decision is the coaching part,” Daly said. “Do I want to coach next season?”