Image Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

“We Are Really Excited About Him” – Denver Nuggets Name David Adelman Full-Time Head Coach

Denver Nuggets commit to David Adelman after late-season turnaround

Image Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

The Denver Nuggets have made an important move ahead of what could be a defining offseason. The Nuggets who were recently knocked out by the OKC Thunder in the game 7 are making a massive commitment for their foreseeable future.

The 2023 NBA champions have hired interim coach David Adelman as their new full-time head coach. Adelman, who took over the reins temporarily after the firing of Michael Malone, has impressed the top brass.

The Nuggets raised eyebrows across the NBA by firing both head coach Michael Malone and General Manager Calvin Booth. The decision also came at a crucial time, just before the NBA 2025 playoffs. David Adelman took over as the interim coach with just three games to go for the post regular season action.

Michael Malone: “I did vote for (Nikola Jokic) again this year if I had a vote for MVP.”

“I want to make sure the people in Denver know that because right now I'm getting a lot of heat back home." pic.twitter.com/cOyKRrdey7
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) May 23, 2025

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However, contrary to popular opinion, David Adelman performed well with the side. Often he worked closely with Nikola Jokic in the huddle and many times also let the leader of the locker room takeover. The Denver Nuggets under Adelman almost got into the Western Conference Finals.

Denver Nuggets Owner Impressed with David Adelman

The Nuggets’ President Josh Kroenke was quite impressed with the way David Adelman took things forward after Michael Malone’s firing. Josh Kroenke who under the banner of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment owns multiple sports teams has struck a chord with Adelman.

Kroenke said, “We are going to be moving forward with David Adelman as our head coach for next season and beyond. I think the way that the group really rallied around him, and not only a different voice, but a different style of communication, was fantastic to see.“

He added, “We are really excited about him, both what he’s shown over the last six weeks and then having a full summer, a full training camp and a full year to get things under his belt before we go back at it again this time next year.”

David Adelman not only won over the Denver Nuggets owners and management but also his players. Aaron Gordon, Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, and Michael Porter Jr. were all in praise of the 44-year-old and publicly backed his promotion.