Apr 21, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) talks as interim head coach David Adelman looks on in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers during game two of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Denver Nuggets Expected to Make Big Coaching Changes

Originally posted on Denver Nuggets on SI | By Grant Mona | Last updated May 30, 2025 12:18 PM ET

As the Denver Nuggets enter a critical offseason following a seven-game Western Conference Semifinal loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, significant changes are expected. DeAndre Jordan and Vlatko Cancar are unrestricted free agents, but Russell Westbrook and Dario Saric both have player options that they are expected to pick up.

The expected changes lie outside of that, as the Nuggets have some improvement to be made surrounding superstar Nikola Jokic and star guard Jamal Murray, whose extension kicks in this summer.

The core of the team is set to return, with Aaron Gordon's extension starting after he accepts a player option for the 2025-2026 season. Additionally, Christian Braun, Peyton Watson, and Jalen Pickett are all under contract, and DaRon Holmes II is expected to return from injury. Michael Porter Jr. is looked at as a big trade candidate if the Nuggets do decide to make a major change.

But the changes don't stop there, as NBA Insider Chris Haynes reports that the "Denver Nuggets are not renewing contracts of assistant coaches Ryan Saunders, Popeye Jones, Charles Klask, and Stephen Graham."

Sources: Denver Nuggets are not renewing contracts of assistant coaches Ryan Saunders, Popeye Jones, Charles Klask, and Stephen Graham. They played integral role in securing 2023 NBA championship. Contracts expire at end of month. pic.twitter.com/cXIJtyFDDQ
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) May 30, 2025

That group of coaches "contracts expire at the end of the month," according to Haynes.

Ryan Saunders is the son of the legendary NBA head coach Flip Saunders and has been an assistant coach with the Denver Nuggets since 2022, having also served as the head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2019 to 2021.

Can’t say enough good things about the type of person Ryan Saunders was to cover.

Kind, thoughtful, caring. Respected everyone who showed up to cover the team on that day

Handled every presser — even amid long losing streaks, with grace and dignity

You don’t always get that.
— Jace frederick (@JaceFrederick) February 22, 2021

Ronald "Popeye" Jones, who played 11 years in the NBA, had been an assistant coach for the Nuggets since 2021. Charles Klask has been an assistant coach for the Nuggets since 2018 and started with unpaid coaching roles in the Continental Basketball Association before gaining a reputation as one of the best developmental coaches in the league.

Stephen Graham was a Role Development Coach for Denver and had been since 2021. He played in the NBA for several teams.

All of the assistant coaches who are no longer expected to return to Denver had won a championship just two seasons ago in 2023.

This article first appeared on Denver Nuggets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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