2025 Denver Nuggets Next Head Coach Odds: Who Will Replace Mike Malone?

The Denver Nuggets stunned the NBA on Tuesday, April 8, when they announced the firing of head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth, less than two years after winning the NBA Championship. The Nuggets are currently in fourth place in the NBA Western Conference, and with just three games to go in the regular season, it is shocking to see the team move on from their title-winning head coach at such a late juncture in the season.

The Nuggets have since announced that assistant coach David Adelman is the interim head coach going forward, but the team will likely complete a full-scale head coaching search in the offseason. With the Nuggets in the market for a new head coach, Bookies.com veteran oddsmaker Adam Thompson has put together hypothetical NBA betting odds for who the Nuggets will hire as the team’s next head coach.

Odds above have been created by Bookies.com Senior Handicapper Adam Thompson and do not reflect odds that may be available on legal betting apps.

2025 Top Possible Head Coaches: Names To Watch & Why

David Adelman, interim Nuggets HC (+400)

The Nuggets have tabbed David Adelman as the interim head coach of the team after firing Malone. If Adelman can do a good job for the team in the playoffs, there is certainly a chance he could keep the job full-time next year if this audition goes well.

Chris Quinn, Heat AC (+600)

Miami Heat assistant head coach Chris Quinn has been viewed as someone who will get a head-coaching gig in the next coaching cycle, so the Nuggets figure to give him an interview this offseason for their open job.

James Borrego, Pelicans Assoc. HC (+650)

Associate coach James Borrego of the New Orleans Pelicans has been rumored to get another crack at a head coaching job in the NBA after his previous gig with the Charlotte Hornets didn’t go well, and the Nuggets could give him an interview.

Micah Nori, Timberwolves AC (+800)

Micah Nori, the Minnesota Timberwolves' assistant coach, will likely be in the running for an NBA head coaching job this offseason, and the Nuggets should give him a call for an interview.

Nate Oats, Alabama HC (+850)

Should the Nuggets take a look at college coaches, then Nate Oats of Alabama is someone who could get looked at.

Other Nuggets Head Coach Contenders

Taylor Jenkins, former Grizzlies HC (+1000)

Similarly to Malone, former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins was fired shockingly late this season. But he doesn’t figure to be out of work for long, and the Nuggets should give him a ring to see if he’s interested in the team’s head coaching gig.

Dan Hurley, UConn HC (+1200)

Dan Hurley of UConn is another college coach who could get an interview for the Nuggets’ head coaching gig.

Dave Joerger, Bucks asst. (+1400)

Assistant coach Dave Joerger of the Milwaukee Bucks has had success as a head coach in the NBA previously, and he could get another look, this time as the Nuggets’ head coach.

Doc Rivers, Bucks HC (+1800)

The Milwaukee Bucks could potentially fire their head coach, Doc Rivers, if things go south for them during the playoffs, and he would be an interesting head coach for the Nuggets given how much success he has had in the NBA over the years.

Wes Unseld Jr., Bulls AC (+1800)

Another assistant coach who figures to get head-coaching interviews is Wes Unseld Jr. of the Chicago Bulls, and the Nuggets could give him a look this offseason, too.

The Field (+900)

The Nuggets' head coaching position will be one of the most coveted head coaching jobs in the NBA due to having superstar MVP Nikola Jokic on the roster, so there could be other candidates in the field who the team hires as the next head coach.