With only three games remaining in the 2025 NBA regular season, the Denver Nuggets have fired head coach Michael Malone and will not renew general manager Calvin Booth’s contract.
The move is strange for several reasons. First, coach Malone led the Nuggets to an NBA Championship in 2023, so his credit should be good as long as the team continues to qualify for the postseason.
Regarding this year’s NBA Playoff picture, Denver is currently the 5th seed in the Western Conference, one game back of the three-seeded Los Angeles Lakers. Right now, the team is in the midst of a 4-game losing streak that has them on the brink of the play-in round.
Apparently, ownership felt that replacing Malone was crucial at this juncture rather than continuing on under his leadership. Assistant coach David Adelman has been named the interim head coach for the remainder of the year.
“This decision was not made lightly and was evaluated very carefully, and we do it only with the intention of giving our group the best chance at competing for the 2025 NBA championship and delivering another title to Denver and our fans everywhere,”
Josh Kroenke, Vice Chairman of Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, owner of the Denver Nuggets
Online NBA sportsbooks have already posted prop bets asking who will be hired on as the Nuggets’ next permanent head coach. The following odds can be found at Bovada Sportsbook.
Next Denver Nuggets Head Coach (Game 1 of 2025/2026 NBA Season)
- David Adelman +300
- Jeff Van Gundy +500
- Steve Nash +700
- James Borrego +800
- Sam Cassell +900
- Taylor Jenkins +1000
- Micah Nori +1100
- Frank Vogel +1200
- Mike Brown +1400
- Darvin Ham +2000
- Mike Budenholzer +2200
- Adrian Griffin Sr +2800
- Dan Hurley +2800
- Rajon Rondo +5000
- Will Hardy +5000
- Carmelo Anthony +10000
- George Karl +10000
- Marcus Morris Sr +50000
- Strahinja Jokic +50000
According to the above NBA odds, Coach Adelman has the inside edge to retain his position. His ability to land the gig is likely tied to his performance during the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
Jeff Van Gundy is rated second overall. He is currently an assistant coach for the L.A. Clippers, who are tied in the standings with the Nuggets, both possessing win-loss records of 47-32.
The move is also a historic one in the NBA. It marks the first time a playoff-bound franchise has fired a coach so late in the season. The previous record was six games when coach Larry Brown left the New Jersey Nets in 1986.
The NBA Playoffs are scheduled to begin with the play-in games on April 15th.
Sources:
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