Nikola Jokic, Nuggets' Top Potential HC Options After Michael Malone's Firing
The Denver Nuggets shocked the basketball world Tuesday by parting ways with head coach Michael Malone.
The Nuggets also announced that they will not extend general manager Calvin Booth at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, and they named assistant David Adelman the interim head coach for the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign.
While there had been rumors and speculation regarding Malone being on the hot seat for quite some time, the timing of his firing couldn't have been more surprising.
The Nuggets have only three regular-season games remaining, and they are currently the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference with a 47-32 record.
They are also just two years removed from winning a championship and boast a three-time NBA MVP in Nikola Jokić, so there should be plenty of interest in their head coaching job at the end of the season.
Here is a look at some candidates that would potentially be the best fits in Denver moving forward.
David Adelman
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As the interim head coach, all signs point toward Adelman getting the opportunity to prove he is worthy of the full-time head coaching job in Denver.
Adelman, 43, is the son of legendary NBA head coach Rick Adelman, who went 1,042-749 over his 23 seasons as head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves.
The younger Adelman has never been a head coach at any level above high school, but he has been an NBA assistant since 2016 and part of the Nuggets' staff since 2017.
Adelman became Malone's lead assistant, and he played an important role in the Nuggets winning their first-ever NBA championship in 2023.
While it is possible the Nuggets' decision-makers will want someone with a fresh, outside perspective to take over as head coach, Adelman's familiarity with the team and players could be viewed as a positive.
Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun have all thrived under Adelman in recent years, and there is reason to believe that could continue in the future.
Adelman's hopes of becoming the head coach could be tied to the Nuggets' playoff performance, as an early exit would perhaps give the front office reason to look into other options.
Sam Cassell
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Like Adelman, Sam Cassell is among the top head coaching candidates in the NBA who have yet to actually serve as a head coach.
The 55-year-old Cassell is best known for his 15-year playing career as a guard with the Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, New Jersey Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Clippers and Boston Celtics.
Cassell averaged 15.7 points, 6.0 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 993 career regular-season games, winning three championships and earning one All-Star selection.
After retiring, Cassell transitioned directly into coaching as an assistant with the Washington Wizards, and he has since been an assistant for the Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers and Celtics as well.
Last season, in Cassell's first year on the Celtics' staff under head coach Joe Mazzulla, Boston dominated from start to finish and won the NBA title.
Cassell has a ton of playing and coaching experience, and he has now won championships as both a player and a coach, which figures to make him a sought-after candidate during the offseason.
There is always some risk that comes along with hiring a first-time head coach, but Cassell has seemingly been ready for the challenge of becoming a head coach for several years, so he should be up to the task.
Mike Brown
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Adelman and Cassell could be attractive options for the Nuggets if they are comfortable with a first-time head coach, but the best candidate with prior NBA head coaching experience may be Mike Brown.
Brown, 55, has spent parts of 11 seasons as an NBA head coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings, posting a 454-304 record with seven playoff appearances.
His greatest success came during his first stint with the Cavs from 2005 to 2010, as he and LeBron James compiled a 272-138 record with five postseason appearances, including a trip to the NBA Finals in 2007.
From 2016 to 2022, Brown was an assistant with the Golden State Warriors, serving as associate head coach under Steve Kerr. With Brown on staff, the Warriors won three championships.
During the 2017 playoffs, Kerr was unable to coach for a period of time due to back issues, and Brown stepped in to lead the Warriors to a 12-0 postseason record as acting head coach.
He parlayed that success into the head coaching job in Sacramento, and in 2023 he led the Kings to their first playoff appearance since 2006.
Brown went a solid 107-88 over his three seasons in Sacramento, but he was fired after a 13-18 start this season.
Given his status as a two-time NBA Coach of the Year with plenty of playoff experience, Brown could be the perfect veteran voice to guide a locker room full of players who have already won a championship.
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