For the Nuggets, 2024-25 was a bizarre season, one that never quite got off the ground for much of the 82-game slate. Because of that, the team pulled off a shocking move, firing coach Michael Malone with just three games left in the season, putting interim David Adelman in the delicate position of replacing a guy who had led the team to its only NBA championship just two years ago and stands as the franchise leader in all-time wins.
Adelman and the Nuggets were up to the challenge, though, as the team responded to having a new voice in the locker room, taking a thrilling seven-game series against the Clippers and following that up with a seven-game slugfest against the Thunder, the prohibitive favorites to win the NBA championship.
The Nuggets were a few bad breaks away from toppling the Thunder. All in all, it was a successful run for Adelman, and the team repaid him by removing the interim tag and making him the full-time coach.
May 18, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) talks to Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second quarter during game seven of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) talks to Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman
Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
But all is not sunshine and lollipops on the Nuggets coaching staff. On Friday, a report from league insider Chris Haynes indicated that despite that success, Adelman and the Nuggets will be gutting and rebuilding the staff.
Wrote Haynes: "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."
Those were Malone's hires, of course, and Adelman has the right to build a staff of his own. Still, considering the success the Nuggets had in the postseason, the fact that the team is completely clearing house comes as a bit of a surprise.