In what has become the most unpredictable NBA season in recent memory, chaos continues to unfold both on and off the court. From Luka Dončić’s shocking move to the Los Angeles Lakers to Jimmy Butler III joining the Golden State Warriors, fans barely have time to catch their breath. But it’s not just the trades making headlines — there’s also been a wave of head coach firings across the league.
The Memphis Grizzlies parted ways with Taylor Jenkins on March 29, and now the Denver Nuggets have stunned the league by firing Michael Malone.
Following their 133-95 win over the Phoenix Suns, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr offered a bold explanation behind the growing trend.
Steve Kerr Explains the Rise in Firings
According to Kerr, it’s no longer just about Xs and Os. In his postgame interview, he pointed to the NBA’s evolving billionaire ownership culture.
“I think one thing that’s happened is most teams are now owned by billionaires, big corporations. So, we’re all more expendable. There’s so much money in the business right now. There’s pluses and minuses to that. We’re all making bigger salaries than we were five years ago, but we’re much more vulnerable because I think a lot of owners aren’t that concerned with firing a guy and paying him off to go away,” Kerr said.
While offering that explanation, the 59-year-old also made it clear how much he still loves coaching.
“Again, this is a business that we chose, and we all love it, but it’s not the most stable profession, that’s for sure,” he added.
Malone’s departure may have seemed abrupt, but tension behind the scenes had reportedly been brewing. According to Yahoo Sports, friction between Malone and Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth escalated after a four-game losing streak, which may have led to the decision to let them both go.
“This decision was not made lightly and was evaluated very carefully, and we do it only with the intention of giving our group the best chance at competing for the 2025 NBA Championship and delivering another title to Denver and our fans everywhere,” said Nuggets president Josh Kroenke.
The timing of Malone’s firing has raised even more questions, with only three games left in the regular season. With the playoffs looming, many are questioning the logic of making such a big change so late.
Assistant coach David Adelman has been named interim head coach and will guide the team through the rest of the year. The Nuggets currently sit in fifth place in the Western Conference at 47-32, and with postseason hopes still alive, parting ways with a proven coach at this stage feels risky at best.
Kerr’s comments shed light on a bigger shift in the NBA. Coaches today aren’t just judged on wins and losses; They’re being evaluated on how well they align with the vision of billionaire owners and front-office leadership.
Is Kerr in a Safe Spot With the Warriors?
Though Kerr has hinted at some concern about job security, he seems to be in a safe position for now. The Warriors have won seven of their last 10 games and currently sit tied with the Nuggets at 47-32 and hold the No. 6 seed in the West. They’re building momentum heading into the playoffs.
Much of that success can be credited to strong performances from Stephen Curry, who’s averaging 24.4 points per game, and Butler, who’s contributing 17.0 on average this season.
There have been no reports of tension between Kerr and the front office or the locker room, which helps his standing. Winning always helps a coach’s case, and with the Warriors heating up at the right time, Kerr’s job looks safe. But with the playoffs ahead, the true test still lies ahead.