The NBA world was left shocked once again as, a week before the 2024–25 regular season’s conclusion, the Denver Nuggets fired head coach Michael Malone after nearly a decade with the team. Widely considered one of the best coaches in the game today, Malone was the winningest coach in franchise history — as well as its only champion.
However, it wasn’t a singular move. The team also let go of general manager Calvin Booth, who was hired the same year the franchise won its first championship in 2022–23. Despite the team’s success on the court, one NBA insider had some shocking information about their relationship behind the scenes.
Michael Malone and Calvin Booth’s Rivalry in Denver
Throughout the season, there were reports of alleged tension between the head coach and general manager. Once the two were fired simultaneously — marking the latest in-season coaching change in NBA history alongside Hubie Brown and the Atlanta Hawks in 1981 — the full extent of the situation came out.
Kevin O’Connor, a veteran NBA insider, reacted to the news immediately, revealing how bad things had become.
“Absolutely nuts. Booth and Malone never liked each other, rarely spoke, and talked behind each other’s backs. With the team struggling on the court, Nuggets ownership decided to fire both. Insane.”
Absolutely nuts. Booth and Malone never liked each other, rarely spoke, and talked behind each other's backs. With the team struggling on the court, Nuggets ownership decided to fire both. Insane. https://t.co/BUVS7grQWq
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) April 8, 2025
Another NBA insider, Ramona Shelburne, reported, “This situation in Denver has been tense and pressurized since the beginning of the year. Both Malone and Booth had big ideas and strong wills. Now both are out…”
It began in the offseason, when Zach Lowe, formerly of ESPN, broke the news after the Nuggets failed to bring back Kentavious Caldwell-Pope — a year after losing Bruce Brown Jr. and Jeff Green.
“There are rumblings,” Lowe said. “Rumblings! That the coaching staff and front office, or at least the head coach and the front office, aren’t exactly seeing eye to eye in Denver. To a degree even unusual for the NBA.”
The tension became bad enough that Malone addressed it before the season began. While he downplayed the reports, he did confirm there were differences, calling them a necessary step for the “greater good.” He also reiterated his respect for Booth.
It all started after the championship Nuggets lost Brown and Green in 2023. Two of their top defenders, losing both played a huge role in Denver falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round last year, as they had no answer for Anthony Edwards.
This offseason, things got even worse, as the third member of that trio — Caldwell-Pope — left in free agency. Denver’s big move was signing Russell Westbrook, but in 2025, that wasn’t enough.
After a 122–113 loss to the Washington Wizards — arguably the worst team in the NBA — in early December, Harrison Wind revealed a locker room rift between the two leaders.
“You’ve got the Calvin Booth–Michael Malone conflict, which has been a real thing. I’ve even heard that it has bled over to the locker room. It’s gotten to a place where players are torn in that two-sided thing.”
The tension was more clear when Michael Porter Jr. essentially forecasted this situation. Speaking with Shelburne, he said, “If we don’t win it this year, we all know they might have to break it up.”
I go back to this quote from Michael Porter Jr. to @ramonashelburne
The writing was on the wall. Didn't even make it through the season. I'd imagine every player is on the chopping block except Jokic. pic.twitter.com/jKZ4YcBMS0
— Aniello Piro (@MediaByAP) April 8, 2025
Now, lead assistant David Adelman is taking over as interim head coach for the Nuggets. With three games left in the regular season and playoff seeding on the line, it remains to be seen how he fares with a disjointed team.
We’ll get our first look at the new-look Nuggets when they take on the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, April 9.