George Karl has confirmed that he would be interested in returning to coaching if a suitable role became available.

The former San Antonio Spurs guard had spent eight years as the head coach of the Denver Nuggets, but was fired last summer despite leading the team to 57 wins during the 2012-13 season.

The 62-year-old, who has spent this season working as an analyst for ESPN, said in a statement: "I'm enjoying my role at ESPN. I'd be interested in the right coaching opportunity, but I respect the coaching profession too much to become a distraction to the process.

"I would love the opportunity to probably talk to people, when they think I'm a person they should be talking to."

The New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors are both looking for new coaches this off-season.