By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Despite a disappointing first-round playoff exit, the Denver Nuggets are not expected to make a coaching change. According to the Denver Post, David Adelman is likely to return for a second season.
“Despite chatter that Adelman may already be on the hot seat one year into his tenure, the immediate sense within the organization is that he’ll be back for a second season,” the report states.
Before the playoff collapse, Adelman guided Denver to 54 regular-season wins, navigating a year filled with injuries that forced him to use 28 different starting lineups.
Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray both publicly backed their head coach following the Game 6 loss to Minnesota.
However, the bigger questions now shift to the roster. As the Denver Post notes, “uncomfortable discussions” are expected about the team’s core around Jokic, particularly regarding Aaron Gordon and whether he can stay healthy through a full playoff run at this stage of his career.
“The Nuggets know from experience how many roster flaws he covers up. But those flaws bubble to the surface every time he’s hurt,” the report adds, noting that Gordon “will no longer be considered off the table” in potential trade talks.
One of Denver’s top priorities will be retaining restricted free agent Peyton Watson. But if they succeed, a corresponding cost-cutting move is almost inevitable, meaning at least one current starter could be sacrificed.
In that context, the Denver Post reports that Cam Johnson has been viewed around the league for months as the most likely trade candidate, in part due to his manageable $23 million expiring contract.
After a disappointing postseason exit, scrutiny in Denver is intensifying — and the message is clear: aside from Nikola Jokic, no one on the roster can be considered completely safe.