Nuggets Players Endorse David Adelman, But His Future Remains Uncertain

“I love (David Adelman),” Gordon said, via Tim MacMahon of ESPN. “I hope he’s here next year. I hope he’s our next coach. I hope he gets an entire training camp and a whole offseason to figure out his philosophy.”

Adelman, elevated to interim head coach just days before the regular season ended, has yet to be named permanent head coach. But the players aren’t shy about where they stand.

Nikola Jokic, who just wrapped a third straight season of MVP-level numbers, said Adelman “changed energy” and “made us believe something.” Jamal Murray said the staff “came up with different schemes” that gave Denver a fighting chance.

Denver won two series last year under Michael Malone on their way to a title. This year, the front office and coaching staff unraveled in real time. GM Calvin Booth and Malone were dismissed in the same week, largely due to philosophical clashes. Adelman was tossed the keys in crisis and nearly steered the Nuggets to another West finals.

Still, the decision isn’t his. Nor will it be made by the players. That falls on team owner Josh Kroenke, who so far hasn’t tipped his hand.

Adelman, who joined the Nuggets as an assistant in 2017 after stints with the Timberwolves and Magic, didn’t make a pitch for himself after Sunday’s 125-93 defeat.

“Decision-makers will make that decision,” he said. “Obviously blessed to have this opportunity. If I’m not back next year, I’ll never forget this. It’s been an incredible experience.”

Now the Nuggets must choose — run it back with the coach the locker room clearly believes in, or open the search in hopes of a bigger name.

Either way, the offseason in Denver is shaping up to be every bit as dramatic as what unfolded on the court.

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