Denver Nuggets fired Michael Malone due to ongoing tensions with GM Calvin Booth, declining team performance, and ownership's belief that a shake-up was needed to spark a playoff run.
With just three games left in the regular season, the Denver Nuggets—currently the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference—have made a shocking move, firing both head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth.
The decision stunned many around the league, but insiders have shed some light on the situation.
According to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk, Nuggets ownership felt the team needed a spark to salvage a potential playoff run, noting that the vibes around the organization had taken a turn for the worse.
There had already been speculation that changes were coming after the season, fueled by what ESPN sources described as a "cold war" between Malone and Booth.
The two reportedly never got along, barely spoke, and often communicated indirectly or behind each other's backs, per Kevin O'Connor.
Malone, who coached Denver to the 2023 NBA championship and became the franchise's all-time winningest coach, now exits amid a four-game losing streak and declining team performance.
"My understanding is they felt kind of like the Grizzlies did with the departure of Taylor Jenkins is igniting this team. They've lost four games in a row," ESPN's Shams Charania reported. "They're now in the bottom half of the league in terms of defensive rating, so they felt the signs were there that this season was not going to end well."
Team owner Josh Kroenke, meanwhile, addressed the move in a statement, saying, "It is a necessary step to allow us to compete at the highest level right now. Championship-level standards and expectations remain in place for the current season, and as we look to the future, we look forward to building on the foundations laid by Coach Malone over his record-breaking 10-year career in Denver."
Vic Lombardi of AltitudeTV asked Kroenke to identify his immediate expectations for this team: "Play hard and have fun."
Malone has finished his head coaching job in Denver at 471-327 record over 10 seasons.
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