The Denver Nuggets became the latest NBA team to fill their head coaching vacancy after agreeing to a deal with former Sacramento Kings coach Mike Malone. The team announced the hiring Monday.

"Michael's experiences throughout his basketball career have helped shaped him into a coach and person that we believe can help take our organization to a special place in the future," Nuggets team president Josh Kroenke said in a statement. "I want to personally thank Melvin Hunt and his family who have been the ultimate professionals throughout this entire process."

Melvin Hunt served as the interim coach after Brian Shaw was fired back in March. He was credited for steadying the team that had turned on Shaw.

Malone was let go by Sacramento last December after going 39-67 in less than two seasons with the Kings. He led the team to a good start in 2014-2015, winning nine of its first 14 games before All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins went down with viral meningitis. Malone was subsequently fired 24 games into the season.

"I'm thrilled to have been chosen as the next leader of the Denver Nuggets and I can't wait to get started. My family and I are looking forward to being a part of the Denver community," Malone said, who is credited for being the first coach that the talented but often unpredictable Cousins has supported.

Malone is known as a no-nonsense coach that predicates his system on defense. While that's a good thing for an unstable team like the Nuggets, it was believed that they would opt for a coach that would install a fast-paced offense similar to what former Nuggets coach George Karl during the team's multiple playoff runs.

"We're looking for a coach that understands how we've been successful in the past and how we'll be successful in the future, with fast basketball and playing with pace," general manager Tim Connelly said back in April.