Adelman’s Bold Moves Signal the End of the Michael Malone Era
Denver’s Coaching Overhaul Marks a New Chapter for Nuggets Basketball
David Adelman is ushering in a new era for the Denver Nuggets, and he’s not holding back.
On Friday, Senior NBA Insider Chris Haynes revealed that Adelman, recently appointed as the Nuggets’ head coach, is actively restructuring the team’s coaching staff for the 2025-2026 season. His approach is clear: fresh faces, new perspectives.
While it’s not entirely unexpected that Adelman would tweak the staff originally assembled by former head coach Michael Malone, the complete departure of all four assistant coaches—each of whom played a role in Denver’s 2023 championship—did raise some eyebrows.
Closing the Book on the Malone Era
Michael Malone and his team will always hold a special place in Denver’s sports history. They transformed the Nuggets from a struggling franchise into a perennial playoff contender and ultimately champions. However, Adelman, the last remaining member of Malone’s bench, is now signaling a definitive shift as he builds a staff of his own.
Among the exits, Ryan Saunders’ departure is perhaps the least surprising. Tasked with leading Denver’s defense, Saunders struggled to get results this past season, as the team posted a troubling 116 defensive rating during the regular campaign. A new strategic voice on that end of the court could be just what the Nuggets need.
Stephan Graham, a longtime player development coach with nearly a decade of service, also moves on. Graham was instrumental in the development of stars like Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and others drafted and molded within Denver’s system. Yet, despite these successes, there were also developmental misfires—players like Malik Beasley, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Jarred Vanderbilt who failed to flourish in Denver but found their stride elsewhere. Given the team’s continued reliance on internal talent growth, a new direction in player development might be warranted.
Looking Ahead: Adelman’s Vision
While it remains uncertain who will join Adelman on the sidelines next season, one thing is evident—he’s not afraid to make bold changes. For a fanbase eager for progress following back-to-back playoff disappointments, this decisiveness is likely to be welcomed.
Even with limited preparation time and a roster hit by injuries, Adelman showcased his strategic prowess during the most recent postseason. His ability to design unconventional defensive schemes and create offensive sets that freed Jokic from constant double and triple teams was impressive and revealed his readiness for a bigger role.
Now, the task ahead is to assemble a coaching team that shares his vision of the game. Partnering with an experienced veteran assistant could also help navigate the nuances of head coaching at the highest level.
As Adelman begins shaping a staff to lead Denver into the next chapter, one thing is clear: the Nuggets are officially moving forward into a new era, with fresh ambition and renewed purpose.
