The Denver Nuggets just made one of the boldest and riskiest moves of the season. And with the playoffs just days away, this decision could either spark a miracle run or total chaos. With just three games remaining, the franchise made a surprising decision to part ways with long-time head coach Michael Malone.
In his place, assistant coach David Adelman will serve as interim head coach. The change has drawn concern from league insiders, including ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, who believes the timing and situation make this a risky move for the 2023 NBA champions.
Windhorst Sounds Alarm on Nuggets’ Coaching Gamble
With Malone out as head coach and GM Calvin Booth also shown the door, assistant Adelman has stepped in as interim coach. But not everyone’s convinced this shake-up will work.
ESPN insider Windhorst broke it down bluntly on air, warning fans that the Nuggets’ playoff hopes are hanging by a thread.
“They are in a fake position right now,” Windhorst said, referring to the Nuggets’ current fourth seed. “When you look at the standings it looks like they are in the fourth seed, but that’s not really fairly how to look at it. It’s because they are a win behind the other team. They are tied in the last call for the five-way tie and they are not really in good shape in the tie-breaker there. Their real seed right now is seven.”
Windhorst also pointed out the team’s recent struggles, “They’ve lost four games in a row, Jamal Murray has been out with a hamstring injury, don’t know when he is going to come back. They have to go on the road in two of these final three games. All three of these games are relevant.”
He further stressed the importance of each matchup, saying, “The Kings are fighting for positioning, the Grizzlies are fighting for positioning, that game with the Grizzlies could end up determining who ends up in the play-in and who gets to skip it.”
He didn’t stop there. For Windhorst, Adelman’s lack of head coaching experience is a major concern, one that could derail the Nuggets postseason hopes:
“David Adelman has a great reputation… he’s interviewed for head coach jobs. But you’re giving the keys to a guy who’s never done it at this level. You’re asking for huge production from someone who’s never led a team this late in a season.”
Nuggets’ Coaching Change Couldn’t Have Come at a Worse Time
Malone’s firing comes after nearly a decade of success, including a championship in 2023. “This decision was not made lightly,” said team vice chairman Josh Kroenke. “It is with no pleasure… but with the intention of giving our group the best chance at competing for the 2025 NBA Championship.”
The move shocked even other coaches. “Mike has obviously been a great, great coach,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “Championship coach. Fantastic record. You don’t expect anything like this, this late in the season.”
Behind the scenes, tension had been building. Reports say Malone and GM Booth clashed over rotations and player usage. Booth wanted younger players like Jalen Pickett to see more time, while Malone leaned on veterans. That friction split the locker room and ultimately led to both men being shown the exit.
The Nuggets, now 47-32, are slipping fast with a 3-7 record in their last 10 games. Jamal Murray’s injury and poor depth have made things worse.
With three must-win games left and a new, unproven head coach, the Nuggets are gambling it all right when it matters most and at the moment, Windhorst’s concerns seem justified.