In a move that has sent shockwaves across the NBA, the Denver Nuggets have fired both head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth with just one week remaining in the regular season.
Assistant coach David Adelman has been named interim head coach, tasked with steering the team through a critical stretch as they fight to avoid the play-in tournament.
The timing of the decision comes as the Nuggets are reeling from a four-game losing skid. Now sitting at 47-32 and fourth in the Western Conference, the team’s recent slide may have prompted ownership to act swiftly in hopes of salvaging the season.
Malone’s Legacy: From Rebuilding Years to NBA Champions
Michael Malone exits after a decade at the helm, where he transformed Denver into a perennial contender and guided the franchise to its first-ever NBA title in 2023. With a record of 471-327, Malone leaves as the winningest coach in Nuggets history. His sudden departure just two years after winning a championship adds an unexpected twist to his legacy in the Mile High City.
Booth’s Rise and Fall
Calvin Booth, who took over as GM in 2020, played a key role in shaping the team’s championship roster. Though rumors of friction between Booth and Malone surfaced last fall, few anticipated both would be dismissed simultaneously—especially this close to playoff time. This marks the first time in league history that a team has fired both its coach and GM in April.
How Long Can Jokic Carry the Weight Alone?
Amid the turbulence, Nikola Jokic continues to put up historic numbers. Over the past week, the two-time MVP delivered a career-high 61-point triple-double in a double-overtime thriller against Minnesota—becoming just the third player in NBA history to do so. He followed it up with 33 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists against Golden State, again falling just short of a triple-double.
Despite his efforts, Denver lost both games.
Jokic’s brilliance isn’t going unnoticed. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, speaking after their matchup, called Jokic “the best center I’ve ever seen,” even comparing him favorably to legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
“He’s doing things no one has ever done before,” Kerr said. “With Jokic, it’s not just skill—it’s his mind. He’s one of the smartest players to ever play the game.”
But as Jokic continues to elevate his game, the instability surrounding him is becoming more glaring. Denver’s decision to overhaul leadership midseason may reflect growing concern over squandering the prime of a generational talent. The question now becomes: can the franchise realign quickly enough to match the level their superstar is playing at?
Kroenke Speaks: “Necessary to Compete at the Highest Level”
Nuggets owner Josh Kroenke issued a statement acknowledging the difficult decision while reaffirming the franchise’s championship aspirations:
“As unfortunate as the timing of the decision is, given also that Coach Malone helped build the foundation of our title team, it is a necessary step to allow us to compete at the highest level at this particular time. The standards and title expectations remain in place for this season.”
What’s Next for the Nuggets?
The spotlight now shifts to David Adelman, who inherits a talented but shaken roster. With postseason implications hanging in the balance, the Nuggets’ response to this mid-crisis leadership change could define their season—and perhaps the next era of Denver basketball.
