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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

Nuggets Hire Ex-Celtics, Rockets Coach To More Prominent Role

Originally posted on Denver Nuggets on SI
By Liam Willerup | Last updated Aug 15, 2025 3:16 PM ET

The type of roster you have in the NBA is a major determinant of how good you'll be. It's not just about having a ton of stars, but also having players who can play a role effectively. Looking at teams like the Brooklyn Nets when they had Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and James Harden, it's clear they could've benefited from more role players than stars.

However, it's not only players that matter, but the coaching staff. There are instances where coaches have been able to elevate lesser rosters to great success, and also cases where coaches have let down talented rosters due to their lack of coaching. When it comes down to it, the best teams in the league are ones with good roster constructions along with good coaching staffs.

Well deserved, DA

David Adelman is officially our next Head Coach! pic.twitter.com/TgSTPVs4I9
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) May 22, 2025

This offseason, the Denver Nuggets have been working to find that perfect blend. In terms of the roster, they traded away Michael Porter Jr. and Dario Saric, and brought in Cam Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas in return. Additionally, they signed Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr., giving them a deep roster with players who can play a role.

In terms of the coaching staff, the Nuggets made things official with David Adelman, promoting him from interim to the full-time head coach of the team after Michael Malone's firing. After bringing in former NBA players J.J. Barea and Jared Dudley to his staff, Adelman has made yet another addition, with a coach coming from two winning teams.

Just In: The Denver Nuggets have added Mike Moser as an assistant coach, sources told @hoopshype. Moser moves to the front of the bench after being an assistant coach on the Rockets for Ime Udoka since 2023. Moser worked with Udoka on the Celtics too. He also worked for the Mavs. pic.twitter.com/aBviOEofSC
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) August 15, 2025

According to Michael Scotto, the Nuggets have hired ex-Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets assistant Mike Moser. Moser will now become a front-of-the-bench assistant after spending the past two seasons under Ime Udoka.

Who Is Mike Moser?

When Rockets coach Ime Udoka was an NBA player, he did laundry for teens on his I-5 Elite AAU team. He once threw down a wad of cash as incentive at a team practice.

And he saw something in Garrett Jackson and Mike Moser, now Rockets assistants.https://t.co/yQp8KYPu9j pic.twitter.com/ta2JKAqjVR
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) July 28, 2025

Before getting into coaching, Moser played college basketball at UCLA, UNLV, and Oregon State. A 2011-12 All-Mountain West selection with the UNLV Rebels, he averaged 14.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.9 steals in his standout season.

Moser would go on to play overseas for a few years before joining the Dallas Mavericks' coaching staff in 2019. He'd have a brief stint with Oregon's women's team, then joined Udoka's staff in Boston. Now, he'll look to play a more prominent role in Denver, looking to help the Nuggets capture another title in the Nikola Jokic era.

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

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