David Adelman Is the Next Head Coach of the Denver Nuggets…
The Denver Nuggets have officially named David Adelman as their full-time head coach, removing the interim tag he held since April 2025. This decision comes after Adelman led the team through a challenging postseason, guiding them to the Western Conference semifinals.
A Smooth Transition
Adelman, 44, stepped into the role with three regular-season games remaining after the dismissal of head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth. Under his leadership, the Nuggets secured the fourth seed in the Western Conference by winning all three of their final regular-season games. In the playoffs, they defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in a seven-game series before falling to the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in another seven-game series.
Nuggets president Josh Kroenke expressed confidence in Adelman, stating, “He’s grown with the group and he understands their tendencies as players. I think equally important right now… is he knows them as people, what makes them tick.”
A Legacy of Coaching
David Adelman is the son of former NBA coach Rick Adelman, known for his successful tenure with the Portland Trail Blazers. David began his coaching career at the high school level in Portland before joining the NBA as a player development coach with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2011. After a stint with the Orlando Magic, he joined the Nuggets in 2017 as an assistant coach. During his time with Denver, the team won the NBA championship in 2023.
Player Support
Adelman has garnered strong support from Nuggets players. All-Star Nikola Jokić and forward Aaron Gordon have praised his leadership and communication skills. Gordon remarked, “I love DA. I hope he’s here next year. I hope he gets an entire training camp and a whole offseason.”
Looking Ahead
With Adelman at the helm, the Nuggets aim to build upon their recent successes and continue competing at a high level in the Western Conference. The team is now focused on assembling a coaching staff that complements Adelman’s vision and enhances the team’s performance in the upcoming season.
For more insights into David Adelman’s appointment as head coach, you can watch the following video:
