A week before the end of the NBA regular season, the basketball world received one of the most shocking pieces of news of the 2024-2025 season. Seemingly out of the blue, the Denver Nuggets are parting ways with long-time head coach Michael Malone alongside general manager Calvin Booth.
The move seems entirely unprecedented just two years after winning the franchise its first NBA Championship and paving the way for an already legendary career for three-time MVP Nikola Jokić. After seemingly endearing himself for life, where did it go wrong?
Michael Malone and Calvin Booth Fired
A staple of Nikola Jokić’s tenure, Malone joined the franchise in 2015 and was its winningest coach ever. Booth, on the other hand, joined the team in 2020 and was promoted to the general manager position in 2022. He delivered a Championship in his first season.
The two have been part of some of the franchise’s greatest success, including, but not limited to, three MVP seasons from the Joker and the franchise’s first Championship. Right after the Championship, Malone promised to retire after winning another.
Days before the NBA playoffs, the Nuggets dismissed Malone in a meeting today. Malone is the winningest coach in franchise history since being hired in 2015 – and led the Nuggets to the 2023 NBA championship. https://t.co/9MeAjEuAQo
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 8, 2025
However, even with all the success, the signs were there. Last season, an excellent regular season paved the way for a dominant five-game Round One win over the Los Angeles Lakers. But, the second round brought some tough competition, and the team blew a 3-2 lead to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Even worse, the team blew a 20+ point lead in the second half of Game Seven, which raised many doubts about its long-term viability. However, this led to a puzzling offseason for the squad and Booth.
Over two summers, the team lost Bruce Brown Jr. and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, arguably their two best wing defenders, to free agency. Instead, their replacement was former MVP Russell Westbrook.
While an excellent player in his own right, Westbrook’s erratic and ball-dominant style didn’t seem like the most logical fit with Jokić and Jamal Murray. Moreover, his murky playoff history raised even more questions about how the team would fare come the postseason.
Full clean out: The Denver Nuggets are also firing general manager Calvin Booth, sources tell ESPN. Michael Malone and Booth both out today. pic.twitter.com/FvqOAFyOKy
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 8, 2025
The regular season made it clear that the situation wouldn’t be easy. Through 79 games, the Nuggets are 47-32, good for fourth place in the Western Conference. However, a four-game losing streak has put the microscope on them, especially with three of the games featuring a 30, 40, and 60-point triple-double from Jokić.
Despite their early playoff exit last year, Denver had hope of turning things around. But the recent slide made the Nuggets’ ownership think otherwise. However, the report from Kevin O’Connor about the general manager and head coach seemingly not agreeing was equally surprising.
“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
As a result, it became the latest coaching change in a season in NBA history, tied alongside Hubie Brown in 1980-81 for the Atlanta Hawks. Ultimately, diminishing returns on the court and their lack of success in free agency led to both Malone and Booth’s firing.
Now, for the Nuggets, assistant head coach David Adelman will take over as the interim head coach. Even with the underwhelming season, Jokić remains in second place in the NBA’s MVP race.
But, with last week serving as a dangerous warning, the Championship contention for the Nuggets might be put on ice for the time being.