These are the possible candidates to replace Mike Malone after being fired from Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets will be making their run for the NBA title this year with an interim head coach leading the way after they fired Michael Malone.
Just days ahead of the end of the NBA regular season, the Denver Nuggets fired head coach Michael Malone and announced they won’t extend general manager Calvin Booth’s contract either.
The decision comes after the Nuggets lost four straight games and are in danger of falling into the Play-in Tournament. For now, the Nuggets’ lead assistant coach, David Adelman, will be the interim head coach. Adelman could potentially make sense as the full-time replacement. Along with him, here are a few others who could be options to replace Malone.
5 candidates to replace Malone as Nuggets head coach
David Adelman
David Adelman has been the assistant next to Malone for eight seasons now, and so was with the team when they won the championship in 2023. He interviewed for some head coaching positions last season so would certainly embrace the opportunity if given one. He’s currently known as the team’s coordinator of the offense and Denver’s offense ranks second-best in the Western Conference. Son of former head coach Rick Adelman, he would be the top candidate for the job.
Taylor Jenkins
Like the Nuggets, the Memphis Grizzlies also fired their head coach just before the end of the season. Taylor Jenkins is now a free agent and could be a potential option for Denver.
Ryan Saunders
If the Nuggets don’t go with Adelman but decide to stick with someone on the inside, assistant coach Ryan Saunders could be an option. He’s been with Denver since 2022 and has head coaching experience with the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2019-2021.
Wes Unseld Jr.
Wes Unseld Jr. may not be internal for the Nuggets now, but he used to be. He was the assistant coach in Denver from 2015 to 2021, but moved on to be the head coach for the Washington Wizards after that, staying until 2024. Now, he’s the assistant coach for the Chicago Bulls, but if another chance to be head coach came up with the Nuggets, he could jump at it.
Micah Nori
Micah Nori also has experience with the Nuggets as he was an assistant coach from 2015-2018. He is now the lead assistant coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves and had an impressive run at taking over for head coach Chris Finch during the playoffs last season when Finch was injured. Although Nori doesn’t yet have head coaching experience, he was reportedly in consideration for the spot with the Cleveland Cavaliers last offseason before ultimately staying in Minnesota.
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