In a surprising move, the Denver Nuggets have terminated the contracts of head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth. This announcement comes just before the regular season concludes.
Assistant coach David Adelman will step in as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
This unexpected decision to let go of both the coach and the GM, who together led the team to a championship victory in 2023, arises amidst the Nuggets` current struggles. With a record of 47-32, the team has suffered four consecutive losses and is at risk of entering the play-in tournament. Despite the efforts of Nikola Jokic, a three-time MVP and current MVP contender, to maintain team cohesion while Jamal Murray is sidelined with a hamstring injury for five games, the Nuggets have faced challenges.
Frustration has been visible among players, including the typically composed Jokic, who recently displayed unusual agitation on the bench as the team grapples with its performance. The Nuggets` record since the All-Star break is 11 wins and 13 losses.
Sources indicated to ESPN prior to this season that tensions were building between Malone and Booth, creating a strained working relationship. Since their championship win, the Nuggets have integrated younger players like Christian Braun and Peyton Watson alongside their core players: Jokic, Murray, and Aaron Gordon. Experienced players such as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Bruce Brown had previously departed in free agency for more lucrative contracts elsewhere.
Malone`s tenure with the team spanned 10 seasons, during which he guided the Nuggets to their first NBA championship and achieved a record of 471-327. The team has also announced they will not be extending Booth`s contract.
Josh Kroenke, vice chairman of Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, stated that Malone`s firing was not triggered by a singular event.
`There were concerning trends that became apparent at different times,` Kroenke mentioned to Altitude TV. `However, these were often overshadowed by occasional wins. In professional sports, where wins and losses are paramount, winning can obscure underlying issues.`
Despite entering the All-Star break on an eight-game winning streak, the Nuggets have since only managed 11 wins in 24 games. Kroenke acknowledged the `unfortunate` timing of this decision but hopes this change will revitalize the team as they head into the playoffs.
`I believe this team is capable of more than they have shown so far,` he added. `The extent of their potential remains uncertain, but I am optimistic that they can achieve more, and I am eager to see what they will accomplish.`
Booth`s promotion to GM occurred three seasons ago, succeeding Tim Connelly after his departure to the Minnesota Timberwolves. His first season as GM culminated in Denver`s championship in 2022-23.
In separate statements on Tuesday, Kroenke expressed gratitude to both Malone and Booth for their roles in securing the team`s historic championship.
Adelman, son of former head coach Rick Adelman, has served as Malone’s assistant for eight seasons. He was a candidate for head coaching positions with the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers last summer.
Jokic now continues his career without Malone, who has been his only NBA head coach.
`Words cannot fully express our appreciation for Michael`s contributions since he joined our organization in 2015,` Kroenke conveyed about Malone. `We extend our deepest thanks to Coach Malone for leading the most successful decade in Nuggets history, achieving the most wins, and delivering Denver its first championship.`