Denver, CO — Despite a disappointing first-round playoff exit, Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman is expected to return for another season, according to an early report from The Denver Post.
Bennett Durando reported Saturday that the “early sense” around the organization is that Adelman will remain in charge heading into the 2026-27 campaign. The update provides clarity amid widespread speculation about his future following the Nuggets’ premature postseason departure.
Adelman, 44, took over as interim head coach after the organization parted ways with longtime leader Michael Malone late last season. He was subsequently named the full-time head coach and has now completed his first complete season at the helm. The son of Basketball Hall of Fame coach Rick Adelman, he originally joined the Nuggets as an assistant in 2017 and was part of the coaching staff that helped deliver the franchise’s first NBA championship in 2023.
This past season, Denver posted a solid 54-28 record under Adelman. In the playoffs, however, the Nuggets were eliminated in the first round by an injury-depleted Minnesota Timberwolves squad. The loss marked a significant step backward from the previous postseason, when Adelman’s team defeated the LA Clippers in the opening round before falling to the eventual champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Semifinals.
While Adelman has guided the Nuggets to consistent regular-season success, his tenure has drawn scrutiny, particularly regarding the team’s clutch performance. Denver struggled badly in close games throughout the season, and a notable coaching decision in March sparked public calls for his dismissal. Critics have questioned whether his leadership can elevate the Nuggets back to title contention alongside superstar Nikola Jokić.
Nevertheless, the organization appears prepared to move forward with Adelman for at least one more season. With a young head coach who has deep institutional knowledge and roots in the championship culture he helped build, Denver is betting on continuity as it looks to regroup and address areas of concern—most notably execution in high-stakes moments.