Four potential replacements for Nuggets head coach

The NBA world is still in shock after Michael Malone was fired as head coach of the Denver Nuggets (47-32) on Tuesday. With only three games left in the season, lead assistant David Adelman will fill in for Malone as interim head coach. 

But, as Denver tries to extend their championship window, who will emerge as the best long-term candidate to replace Malone? Here are four potential head coaches for the Nuggets. 

David Adelman

The most obvious choice is the aforementioned Adelman. He has served as an assistant in Denver for eight years and has been involved in basketball most of his life as the son of Hall of Fame Coach Rick Adelman. He's already familiar with the organization and is the architect of the team's offensive game plan. 

If he can lead the Nuggets to postseason success, he could see himself as the permanent head coach. Two years ago, the Celtics (58-20) promoted Joe Mazzulla from assistant to interim to full-time head coach, leading them to an NBA championship. Perhaps Denver could follow in the Celtics' footsteps and promote from within. 

Taylor Jenkins

Jenkins, like Malone, was recently fired, but the 40-year-old coach could be a great fit in Denver. In his six seasons leading the Memphis Grizzlies (46-32), Jenkins made three playoff appearances and won two division titles. A proven winner with head-coaching experience could be what Denver needs to return to the finals. 

Micah Nori

The Minnesota Timberwolves (46-32) assistant coach worked in Denver for three years between 2015 and 2018 and has made a name for himself as one of the best assistants in the league. Nori coached from the sidelines after Minnesota HC Chris Finch injured his patellar tendon in the 2024 playoffs. 

He was integral to Minnesota's victory over the Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals. Nori is a defensive-minded coach who would certainly shore up the Nuggets' defensive woes and help Denver become a more balanced team that could sustain postseason success. 

Sam Cassell

Cassell has never been a head coach, but he has consistently been voted one of the best assistants in the league by NBA general managers. He has 30 years of combined playing and coaching experience and is more than qualified. He just helped the Celtics win the championship last year as an assistant coach and could be a welcomed culture fit to replace Malone, who was often at odds with the front office.