David Adelman on Track to Become Nuggets’ Full-Time Head Coach
Could this be the start of a remarkable new chapter?
Things have been moving at lightning speed in Denver, and in the wake of last week’s shocking firings of head coach Michael Malone and GM Calvin Booth, the organization finds itself in a period of major transition.
With uncertainty clouding the future of nearly everyone not named Nikola Jokic, it’s clear that no position is guaranteed. This upheaval extends beyond the roster to the coaching staff and front office. Given the prestige of the head coach and GM roles—and the chance to work with a team that hoisted the trophy just two seasons ago—many seasoned names are surely eyeing the opportunity.
But what if the Nuggets don’t need to look outside the organization at all? What if their next head coach is already in the building? The departure of Malone might just be a blessing in disguise, giving the franchise a chance to take a serious look at longtime assistant and rising coaching talent, David Adelman.
Adelman’s Strong Start Could Seal the Deal
Adelman has been part of the Nuggets’ coaching staff for eight years and is a well-respected, familiar presence in the locker room. By all accounts, he has the players’ support and maintains strong relationships across the board.
At 43, Adelman is earning praise after leading the Nuggets to a 3-0 finish in the regular season, securing the fourth seed in the West. The energy around the team feels renewed, and morale appears to be on the upswing.
This isn’t a rebuild—the core pieces are still in place and championship hopes remain intact. With Malone seemingly having lost the locker room, keeping someone like Adelman, who knows the system and the players inside and out, might offer much-needed stability.
On a recent Hoops Collective podcast, Tim McMahon shared that the locker room is reportedly behind Adelman and that if the Nuggets beat the Clippers in the first round, there’s a “high, high degree of likelihood” he’ll be named permanent head coach.
Though the team is still in the early days of this new era, Adelman isn’t just some fresh face. He brings years of experience, both as an assistant and as the son of Hall of Fame coach Rick Adelman.
He’s already garnered interest for head coaching gigs around the league, and if Denver doesn’t secure him soon, another team surely will. The Nuggets would be wise to keep a close watch during the playoffs—if Adelman proves he’s the guy, they shouldn’t let him slip away.
