Denver Nuggets’ Surprising Decision: Firing Malone and Booth
In a move that has left the NBA community buzzing, the Denver Nuggets have made the bold decision to part ways with head coach Michael Malone and announced they would not be extending the contract of general manager Calvin Booth. This announcement came on Tuesday, just six days before the end of the regular season, and has sent shockwaves through the league. The Nuggets, who are only two years removed from their NBA championship victory, currently sit in fourth place in the Western Conference.
Despite their recent success, the Nuggets have hit a rough patch, enduring a four-game losing streak. This slump has left them just a half-game ahead of a cluster of four teams tied for fifth place. According to ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, the Nuggets now have a 46.9% chance of slipping into the play-in tournament.
Their remaining schedule is no walk in the park, featuring road games against the Sacramento Kings and the Houston Rockets, with a home game against the Memphis Grizzlies sandwiched in between. The Grizzlies themselves recently made headlines by firing their coach, Taylor Jenkins, on March 28. The Nuggets face a daunting task to maintain their playoff position in the fiercely competitive Western Conference.
Our NBA insiders have weighed in on the implications of these firings, discussing what it means for Denver’s playoff hopes and the future of their star player, three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.
The Nuggets’ Decision to Move On from Malone and Booth
Ohm Youngmisuk: The decision is shocking but not entirely unexpected. Change seemed inevitable, but the timing is what caught everyone off guard. There had been tension between Malone and Booth for some time, described by sources as a “cold war.” The Nuggets have lost four straight games and are 11-13 since the All-Star break. Players, including Jokic, have shown visible frustration on the sidelines. The atmosphere has been tense, and ownership felt it was time to make a change to give the team a boost before the playoffs, especially with the best player in the world on their roster.
Bobby Marks: Stunning. I promised myself I wouldn’t use that word again after the Luka Doncic trade in February, but here we are. There were whispers of change in Denver, but not with just six days left in the regular season.
Michael C. Wright: This move is as baffling as Memphis firing Jenkins, their winningest coach. Denver is only two seasons removed from their first championship, and now they risk their chances for a second title by firing the coach who led them to victory. This decision is unlikely to be popular in the Nuggets’ locker room.
Chris Herring: Even more surprising than Memphis’ decision to fire Jenkins, given the Nuggets’ recent championship win. Jamal Murray has missed the last five games, which partly explains their current struggles. Yet, they chose to fire a coach with more wins than anyone over the past five seasons, and they did it in the final week of the season.
Zach Kram: This move highlights how the franchise has mishandled its post-championship window. They’ve lost key contributors without adequate replacements, faced internal conflicts, and made the unprecedented decision to overhaul their front office and coaching staff this late in the season. As long as Jokic is in his prime, the Nuggets remain a threat, but what once seemed like a potential dynasty in 2023 is now floundering.
Impact on Denver’s Postseason Projections
Kram: I was already skeptical about the Nuggets’ playoff prospects due to their 20th-ranked defense, the worst among teams with a winning record, and Murray’s uncertain return. Now, it’s even harder to envision a deep playoff run from the 2023 champions.
Marks: A month ago, I was asked which team could challenge Oklahoma City, and I said Denver. But before the Nuggets cleaned house, I didn’t think they could make it past the first round. Their recent struggles and defensive issues would be concerning even if Malone were still coaching.
Herring: The firings might provide a spark, but I doubt a change this late in the season will propel Denver forward. There’s not enough time to implement significant schematic or style changes. If anything, it reduces my confidence in a successful run from Jokic and the Nuggets.
Wright: This move doesn’t help the team, which still has a chance to secure home-court advantage in the first round. With Murray’s extended absence due to a hamstring issue, his availability for the playoffs is uncertain. Expectations for the Nuggets were already low, and firing Malone further diminishes their prospects by disrupting continuity.
Youngmisuk: Denver is fighting to avoid the play-in tournament. They desperately need Murray to return healthy after missing five games with a hamstring injury. If Murray is healthy for the playoffs, the Nuggets can compete with anyone, especially with Jokic playing at his best. Interim coach David Adelman is tasked with getting the team back on track, but a healthy Murray is crucial for another deep playoff run.
More Shocking Firing: Malone or Jenkins?
Herring: Malone’s firing is more shocking. He led the franchise to its only title two years ago and has been the winningest coach over the past five years. Both firings were surprising, and more information will likely emerge in the coming days. But unless there was a significant issue between Malone and Jokic, this decision seems destabilizing with so little time left.
Kram: Malone’s firing is more surprising. The writing had been on the wall in Memphis for some time, with the Grizzlies replacing five of Jenkins’ assistants last summer. The timing was the main surprise, not the firing itself. Malone, however, was a successful fixture in Denver and seemed likely to remain Jokic’s coach for years.
Wright: Malone’s firing is more surprising due to what appears to be a lack of understanding from ownership about how the franchise reached this point. Denver wants to win now but has limited flexibility and assets to achieve such lofty goals. This move could be the start of a larger teardown.
Youngmisuk: Malone’s firing is more surprising because teams don’t typically part with championship coaches this late in the season, especially when vying for a top-four seed. This move gives Denver a chance to see what Adelman can do, and with more coaching openings expected this summer, Denver gets an early look at the 43-year-old coach, who has been on the radar for head coaching positions in the past.
Marks: Can I say both? I was part of the Nets front office that fired Byron Scott in 2004 after two straight NBA Finals appearances, but that was 41 games into the next season. Both Jenkins and Malone dealt with injuries to their star players (Ja Morant, Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokic) since the All-Star break and were positioned to coach playoff teams. In Malone’s case, winning a championship should provide some job security.
What Does This Mean for Jokic’s Future in Denver?
Marks: One thought came to mind after Malone was fired: I hope Nuggets ownership consulted Jokic. The three-time MVP still has three years left on his contract (with a player option in 2027-28), but that doesn’t mean much if he’s unhappy. The true indicator of Denver’s future will be what happens after the NBA Finals when Jokic is eligible for a three-year, $212 million extension.
Herring: This is the big question. Was there any tension between Malone and Jokic? Taking this step with Malone, especially in the final week of a season that isn’t lost, is a massive gamble unless Jokic is on board. Jokic is one of the least dramatic stars in the sport, but this is a highly unusual move involving a title-winning coach.
Wright: It’ll be interesting to see, considering Jokic will soon be eligible for that three-year extension. Jokic entered the league with Malone as his head coach, who then decided to run Denver’s offense through him. Jokic doesn’t reveal much about his personal life, but loyalty seems important to him. Ownership showed none with this move.
Kram: Probably nothing, because Jokic has never seemed like the type to demand a trade. But Malone has been the Nuggets’ coach for Jokic’s entire career, so we’re entering uncharted territory for the NBA’s best player.
Youngmisuk: Jokic isn’t going anywhere. While Malone is the only NBA head coach Jokic has ever had, the Nuggets made this move to maximize what’s left of this season. Denver ownership still believes the Nuggets can make a playoff run and considers Adelman the architect of the team’s offense. The Nuggets will do everything they can to improve the situation around Jokic.
Offseason Priorities for the Nuggets
- Wright: Defense needs to be prioritized, and the team could benefit from upgrading its bench. However, it’s unclear how the Nuggets will achieve this with minimum contracts, as they’ll be a luxury tax team for the fourth consecutive year and face a hefty repeater tax penalty.
- Marks: Denver is top-heavy in salary, with 67% of the team’s cap next season tied up in Jokic, Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and Aaron Gordon. They have only the $5.6 million midlevel exception for free agency. In trades, the Nuggets can’t take back salary because they’re projected to be over the second apron. They’re also limited in what draft picks they can trade, with a first- and second-rounder in 2032 available.
- Kram: Build a bench that doesn’t collapse when Jokic leaves the floor. The Nuggets have a strong starting lineup but minimal depth behind their top five, especially after Christian Braun’s promotion to the starting group. Youngsters like Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther may continue to develop, but the Nuggets need to make better free-agent decisions after missing on Dario Saric and Reggie Jackson while losing championship contributors Bruce Brown and Jeff Green. Denver’s net rating is plus-9.9 with Jokic on the floor, a championship contender’s mark, but minus-8.7 without him, similar to the Pelicans’ 28th-ranked net rating.
- Herring: A better defense that doesn’t require the offense to be as efficient as it has been. With Murray and Porter unable to keep the reserve unit afloat when Jokic is off the floor, Denver needs better bench play. The Nuggets, who rank fifth in 3-point percentage but last in 3-point attempts, also need more volume from long range.
- Youngmisuk: The Nuggets must surround Jokic with the best players possible, whether through a stronger supporting cast and second unit or potentially a new coaching voice. Maximizing the championship window around Jokic should be the priority. Nothing else matters.
Originally Written by: NBA insiders
