Nuggets Eye New Championship-Caliber Coach as Possible Malone Successor…
Flexibility is Key Moving Forward
Following the recent, unexpected shake-up in Denver, the atmosphere around the Nuggets has noticeably improved. The organization seems to be revitalized, with a renewed sense of cohesion and clarity after years of underlying tension.
Michael Malone was undoubtedly a strong leader during his tenure, but after a decade at the helm, his message began to lose its impact. His unwavering trust in veteran players and ongoing friction with GM Calvin Booth gradually wore down the team dynamic.
Enter David Adelman — a 43-year-old assistant coach who’s injected fresh energy and unity into the squad. Since taking over, he’s led the team to a perfect 3-0 finish to the regular season. The Nuggets now enter the playoffs as the West’s fourth seed with homecourt advantage in the opening round against the Clippers.
The locker room seems fully behind Adelman, with many players reportedly eager to see him promoted permanently. A solid playoff run, even just winning a couple of series, could help persuade ownership to remove the “interim” label and officially name him the head coach.
However, Denver has to be cautious not to make a long-term decision during this brief honeymoon period. With Nikola Jokic still playing at an elite level, the franchise has a limited window to capitalize on. If the postseason ends in disappointment, the Nuggets may need to pursue a more experienced, championship-proven coach.
Mike Budenholzer Brings Title-Winning Credentials
One name that stands out is Mike Budenholzer. Though his brief stint with the Suns didn’t go well, that situation was a mess before he even arrived. It’s unfair to pin Phoenix’s collapse on him entirely.
What should interest Nuggets fans is Budenholzer’s résumé prior to this season. He spent nearly two decades under Gregg Popovich in San Antonio, contributing to four championship teams. Later, as the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks, he engineered multiple successful seasons — though the team ran into LeBron James-led Cavs in the playoffs.
Then came his time with the Milwaukee Bucks. Hired in 2018, Budenholzer transformed the team into a title contender, developing Giannis Antetokounmpo into one of the league’s best and guiding the Bucks to a championship in 2021. Despite parting ways with Milwaukee and a forgettable season in Phoenix, Bud remains a proven winner.
While he has some limitations — such as in-game adaptability — his track record speaks volumes. He consistently elevates teams and gets results, both in the regular season and postseason. If Denver decides to go in a different direction than Adelman, Budenholzer may be the most qualified coach available.
