Nuggets Promote David Adelman To Full-Time Coach After Strong Interim Performance

David Adelman has been appointed as the full-time coach of the Denver Nuggets. This decision comes after he successfully led the team to the brink of the Western Conference Finals. Adelman took over as interim coach six weeks ago, following the dismissal of Michael Malone. Under his guidance, the Nuggets rallied and performed admirably.

Adelman initially stepped in on April 8, when Josh Kroenke made a surprising move by firing Malone with only three games left in the regular season. At that point, Denver was struggling with a four-game losing streak and faced the possibility of entering the NBA Play-In Tournament. Adelman's leadership turned things around, securing crucial victories in their last three games.

The team's president and governor, Josh Kroenke, praised Adelman for his ability to unite and inspire the players. "Well deserved, DA David Adelman is officially our next Head Coach!" tweeted the Denver Nuggets on May 22, 2025. This announcement came just days after their season ended with a loss to Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of a conference semi-final series.

Adelman's efforts ensured that Denver clinched the fourth seed in the Western Conference and gained home-court advantage for their first-round series. The Nuggets managed to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers in seven games before facing off against a formidable Thunder team that had achieved 68 regular-season wins.

While Adelman's position is now secure, Kroenke remains undecided about who will fill the general manager role permanently. Ben Tenzer is currently acting as interim GM after Calvin Booth was dismissed on the same day as Malone's departure. The organisation continues to evaluate its options moving forward.

The decision to promote Adelman reflects his success in stabilising and motivating a team that was previously struggling. His leadership has been instrumental in guiding them through challenging times and achieving significant progress during his short tenure as interim coach.

The future looks promising for both Adelman and the Denver Nuggets as they aim to build on this momentum and strive for further success in upcoming seasons.