One of the reasons why the Denver Nuggets chose to fire Michael Malone before the end of the season was to have the opportunity to evaluate David Adelman in the head coach seat before the playoffs, sources tell ESPN. Adelman is expected to be a candidate for multiple head coaching vacancies this offseason with The Athletic identifying the Portland Trail Blazers as a possibility if they were to part ways with Chauncey Billups.
"I think the players respect [Adelman]," a team source said. "They get along with him. I think they'll respond to him. I wanted him to get the opportunity earlier."
The Nuggets first hired Adelman as an assistant coach on Malone's staff in 2017. Adelman had previous stints with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Orlando Magic.