The regular season from 2024-25 saw dramatic changes occur in just three games, with the Nuggets ownership being made. Coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth have been fired.
Team Governor Josh Kroenke decided to say goodbye to Malone and Booth. To replace Malone, assistant head coach David Adelman has been named interim head coach. In a short time, he was able to rally the nuggets and help them win seven playoff games. ESPN’s Tim McMahon reported that Adelman is “considered” as a strong candidate for becoming the Nuggets’ next head coach.
David Adelman has support for players on the team’s championship roster
Aaron Gordon of Nuggets coach David Adelman: “I love DA. I hope he will be here next year. I hope he will be our coach. I hope he will get the offseason and the entire training camp to get his philosophy in mind. There was a DA in Orlando. pic.twitter.com/cfoqrrgir1
– Michael Scott (@mikeacotto) May 18, 2025
Since 2017-18, David Adelman has been the assistant coach of the coaching staff for Nuggets head coach Michael Malone. When Malone was fired on April 8th, Adelman was promoted. He was named interim head coach by team governor Josh Kroenke. Adelman coached Denver’s final three games in the 2024-25 regular season and 14 playoff games.
The Nuggets were 3-0 in the regular season and 7-7 with David Adelman in the postseason. Following Denver’s loss in Game 7, several players have expressed support for Adolman. “I hope he’s our coach,” power forward Aaron Gordon told the media. Furthermore, Jokic supported Adelman, saying that the decision “exceeds my wages.”
Still, Jokic was impressed by how David Adelman changed the energy of his team in a short time. The Nuggets could have easily derailed and lost in the first round after Malone was fired. But David Adelman brought the team together and they were one win from the Western Conference Finals. The 44-year-old was thrown into a tricky situation and made the most of it. If he has a full season of coaching under his belt, who knows what will happen? David Adelman is a strong candidate to become the Nuggets’ next head coach.