The NBA world remains to be in shock after Michael Malone was fired as head coach of the Denver Nuggets (47-32) on Tuesday. With solely three video games left within the season, lead assistant David Adelman will fill in for Malone as interim head coach.
However, as Denver tries to increase their championship window, who will emerge as the very best long-term candidate to switch Malone? Listed below are 4 potential head coaches for the Nuggets.
David Adelman
The obvious alternative is the aforementioned Adelman. He has served as an assistant in Denver for eight years and has been concerned in basketball most of his life because the son of Corridor of Fame Coach Rick Adelman. He is already aware of the group and is the architect of the team’s offensive game plan.
If he can lead the Nuggets to postseason success, he might see himself because the everlasting head coach. Two years in the past, the Celtics (58-20) promoted Joe Mazzulla from assistant to interim to full-time head coach, main them to an NBA championship. Maybe Denver might observe within the Celtics’ footsteps and promote from inside.
Taylor Jenkins
Jenkins, like Malone, was recently fired, however the 40-year-old coach might be an important slot in Denver. In his six seasons main the Memphis Grizzlies (46-32), Jenkins made three playoff appearances and received two division titles. A confirmed winner with head-coaching expertise might be what Denver must return to the finals.
Micah Nori
The Minnesota Timberwolves (46-32) assistant coach labored in Denver for 3 years between 2015 and 2018 and has made a reputation for himself as probably the greatest assistants within the league. Nori coached from the sidelines after Minnesota HC Chris Finch injured his patellar tendon within the 2024 playoffs.
He was integral to Minnesota’s victory over the Nuggets within the Western Convention semifinals. Nori is a defensive-minded coach who would definitely shore up the Nuggets’ defensive woes and assist Denver turn out to be a extra balanced crew that might maintain postseason success.
Sam Cassell
Cassell has by no means been a head coach, however he has constantly been voted probably the greatest assistants within the league by NBA general managers. He has 30 years of mixed enjoying and training expertise and is greater than certified. He simply helped the Celtics win the championship final 12 months as an assistant coach and might be a welcomed tradition match to switch Malone, who was usually at odds with the entrance workplace.
