Latest news with #DavidAdelman
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nuggets HC Gets Honest About Cam Johnson's Fit Alongside Nikola Jokic
Nuggets HC Gets Honest About Cam Johnson's Fit Alongside Nikola Jokic originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Denver Nuggets have been one of the more active teams in this NBA offseason. In fact, the Nuggets didn't even wait until the offseason to begin making significant changes. With just days until the conclusion of the regular season, the Nuggets shocked many when they announced they were firing head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth. Advertisement Many thought the Nuggets were punting on their postseason hopes, as they then went into the NBA Playoffs with David Adelman serving as the interim head coach. However, the Nuggets fought for Adelman admirably and defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round. They then took the eventual champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, to seven games but didn't have enough to win the series. Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15).© Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Nuggets head coach gets honest about Cam Johnson with Nikola Jokic If nothing else, the run Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets went on was enough to show that they were just a move or two away from competing for a championship again. The first move came when the Nuggets traded Michael Porter Jr. and a 2032 unprotected first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for Cameron Johnson. Advertisement Porter Jr. dealt with a shoulder injury that seriously hindered his effectiveness and shooting ability. He struggled in the playoffs, and it's hard not to think that the Nuggets could've defeated the Thunder had he been healthy. Now, the Nuggets pivot to Johnson on the wing to help them navigate the loaded Western Conference. David Adelman recently spoke about Johnson's fit alongside Jokic. "Everybody says 'well anybody can play with [Nikola]' but some are made to play with him," Adelman said. "We felt like [Cam's] outside dribble hand-off game, the shooting, it's all gonna translate." Advertisement Johnson has significant playoff experience, as he was a key piece off the bench when the Phoenix Suns went to the NBA Finals in 2021. Johnson is coming off a career-high 18.8 points per game with the Brooklyn Nets. The 6-foot-8 forward is a 39% shooter from three over his career and he shot a career-high 47.5% from the field this season. He also shot a career-best 89.3% from the free-throw line. If Johnson can give them the production and have the impact the Nuggets believe he'll provide, they could be serious contenders next season. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nuggets add ex-Mavericks assistant Jared Dudley to coaching staff
The post Nuggets add ex-Mavericks assistant Jared Dudley to coaching staff appeared first on ClutchPoints. Since being hired as the Denver Nuggets' full-time head coach, David Adelman has continued to build his intriguing inaugural coaching staff. In his latest move, the first-year coach hired former Dallas Mavericks assistant Jared Dudley. Advertisement The 14-year NBA veteran will join Adelman's staff as his top assistant, per ESPN's Shams Charania. Adelman previously added former point guard J.J. Barea to his coaching staff, making Dudley his second former NBA player hire. Dudley has been with the Mavericks since 2021. He signed with the team immediately concluding his playing career with the Los Angeles Lakers. While Dudley never played for Dallas, he briefly played for Jason Kidd on the Milwaukee Bucks in 2014-2015. Dudley's joining the Nuggets makes him the fourth member of the Mavericks' 2024-2025 coaching staff to change teams in the offseason. God Shammgod, Sean Sweeney and Alex Jensen all already signed with new teams, forcing Kidd to replace nearly his entire staff. Jared Dudley joins David Adelman's inaugural coaching staff Jerome Miron-Imagn Images As the newest members of the Nuggets' coaching staff, Dudley and Barea join Adelman's crew, which is mainly comprised of Mike Malone's former assistants. Adelman, who worked on Malone's staff from 2017 to 2025, maintained most of the same employees who led the team to the 2023 championship. Advertisement Despite the Nuggets' disappointing 2024-2025 campaign, they opted to retain Adelman immediately following their season-ending loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Following Malone's surprising release, Adelman finished out the season as the interim head coach. While Adelman has not been a head coach since leading Lincoln High School in 2011, he is the son of longtime coach Rick Adelman. The older Adelman most recently coached the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2011 to 2014, during which he hired his son as his assistant. David Adelman remained with the Timberwolves for two seasons after his father's retirement before joining Malone's staff in Denver. Related: Former Rockets teammate says Yao Ming had Nikola Jokic type skills but was held back Related: Why the Nuggets are massive 2025 NBA free agency winners
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
LeBron James Reacts to Major Coaching News on Thursday
LeBron James Reacts to Major Coaching News on Thursday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. LeBron James is getting ready to play in his 23rd season in the NBA. Throughout his career, playing with the Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, James has played with countless teammates. Advertisement During his time with the Lakers, James took the court with Jared Dudley, an NBA journeyman who retired from the league several years ago. After his playing career, Dudley moved on to various coaching roles, having recently finished the NBA season on the Dallas Mavericks staff. Dudley has served as an assistant coach with the Mavericks since 2021 and has now moved on to take a role as the top assistant coach for the Denver Nuggets. "Dallas Mavericks assistant Dudley is finalizing a deal to become the top assistant coach for the Denver Nuggets under David Adelman, Andy Miller of Klutch Sports tells ESPN. Dudley has been on Mavs' staff since 2021 after a 14-year NBA career, per Shams Charania. Advertisement Upon the release of the announcement, LeBron James took to social media, sharing his thoughts on the move for Dudley, his former teammate. "Congrats, my brother," James said. "Well deserved." LeBron James, Instagram LeBron James, Instagram Dudley will now continue his coaching career after playing for the following teams during his time as a player: Charlotte Bobcats, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, Washington Wizards, Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers. Dudley won an NBA championship alongside LeBron James in 2020 with the Lakers. Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James is entering his 23rd season in the NBA.© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Quite astonishingly, when his teammate is taking up coaching assignments, James is keeping the league hot. During the last season with the Los Angeles Lakers, he posted 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game. Even while entering his 23rd season, the hype around him has not dampened, and James' production is indeed living up to it. Advertisement Related: LeBron James Had No Words for Luka Doncic Announcement on Saturday Related: Big Luka Doncic Announcement Turns Heads on Saturday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Grade The Trade: Nuggets Swap Porter Jr. For Cam Johnson In Shocking Deal
Grade The Trade: Nuggets Swap Porter Jr. For Cam Johnson In Shocking Deal originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Denver Nuggets have moved Michael Porter Jr., after months of being involved in trade rumors. Porter Jr. averaged 18.2 points per game this season, nailing 39.5% from three in the regular season, but those numbers dipped to 9.1 points per game on 34.3% from deep in the postseason. Advertisement The Nuggets must go all-in to surround Nikola Jokic with the right pieces to win an NBA championship, especially with a new head coach, David Adelma,n coming on board. The Nuggets have decided to move Porter Jr and a first-round pick for Cam Johnson, a move that essentially swaps shooters but also involves some risk. Let's grade the trade to see who won and lost this deal. Denver Nuggets: C+ The Denver Nuggets are taking a risk, losing 27-year-old Michael Porter Jr for 29-year-old Cam Johnson. This move signals Denver's willingness to pivot from potential to consistency, aiming for a floor-spacing 3-and-D wing with Johnson. Advertisement Financially, the swap also lightens the long-term luxury-tax hit: Porter is owed around $79 million over the next two seasons, whereas Johnson comes in at roughly $44.4 million total. The risk: Johnson lacks Porter's ceiling and interior mismatch potential, and Denver gave up a future first-rounder. This deal tilts toward structural stability, but it's not without a gamble. Denver fans will be watching to see if Johnson can replicate his efficiency in a championship chase. Brooklyn Nets: B+ Brooklyn acquires Michael Porter Jr. and a 2032 first-round pick, a move that aligns with their rebuild and asset collection strategy. Porter gives them a 6'10" forward who has shown heavy scoring upside, once part of Denver's 2023 title run, and still has two years left on his deal. Advertisement The added pick is valuable upside on a talented Nuggets team coming off major postseason disappointments. The Nets' coach and front office will hope that under a refreshed role in Brooklyn, Porter can return to 18-20 PPG form consistently. That said, Porter's dip in playoff production and concerns over his playoff mental makeup (compared to Murray or earlier playoff struggles) remain. But if Porter rediscovers his rhythm, the pick makes this an extremely high-upside haul for the Nets. Michael Porter Jr: C+ Porter gets a fresh start as the primary offensive option in Brooklyn, shedding the pressure of dominating shots alongside Jokic and Murray. He retains two years on an expensive contract, but now has a clearer path to showcase his scoring ability. Advertisement Success hinges on him rediscovering his 18+ PPG production and translating it into postseason impact, something that evaded him in Denver. However, this move is also a signal: Denver gave up on Porter's playoff development, which could weigh on his confidence. If he rebounds, it could validate the suitability of the contract and justify Brooklyn's gamble. But failure to progress further could anchor him as a well-paid "what-if" in Brooklyn's timeline. Bruce Brown: A Though not part of the swap, Bruce Brown's one-year deal with Denver adds immediate value. He's a proven two-way wing who fits seamlessly into Adelman's system, adding depth, playmaking, and championship experience. Advertisement Brown is the unsung gear in this offseason's engine, valued even higher in the wake of Porter's departure. His deal may well be the anchor that stabilizes Denver amid a reshuffle. This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Denver Nuggets Nearly Made Kevin Durant Decision During Offseason
Denver Nuggets Nearly Made Kevin Durant Decision During Offseason originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Denver Nuggets are coming off a season in which they surprised many. First, it was the decision to fire head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth just days before the end of the regular season. As a result, the Nuggets went into the playoffs with an interim head coach, David Adelman. Advertisement Some thought that the decision would prove to be a death sentence. Although still early, it proved to be the right move in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, as the team defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in seven games, who were one of the hottest teams in the NBA entering the playoffs. Nov 22, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) controls the ball under pressure from Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy (1) in the first quarter at Ball Arena. © Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images Denver Nuggets nearly made Kevin Durant decision In the second round, the Nuggets met up with the Oklahoma City Thunder. To that point, the Thunder had looked nearly invincible, making quick work of the Memphis Grizzlies in a sweep. Many believed that dominance would continue after the grueling Clippers series, but the Nuggets gave the Thunder a decent run for their money before falling short in Game 7. Advertisement The Nuggets lacked depth and top-tier talent outside of Nikola Jokic. Likely looking to make a trade in the offseason, the Nuggets were a surprise contender for the services of Kevin Durant, according to Shams Charania, before he was ultimately traded to the Houston Rockets. It's fun to imagine what such a trade package would've looked like from Denver's end. To make the salaries work, it would likely have had to involve Jamal Murray, or, more likely, Michael Porter Jr. in addition to young players like Peyton Watson, Julian Strawther or Christian Braun. Now, the Nuggets will look elsewhere to add depth to attempt to keep up in what will likely once again be a tough Western Conference. Contending next year should be Denver's top priority if they don't want to risk Jokic asking for a trade. If they can't build upon what they accomplished this season and at least get back to the Conference Finals, that's very well what could happen. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
