In a surprising turn of events, the Denver Nuggets have parted ways with head coach Michael Malone, despite guiding the team to an NBA championship just last year and securing a playoff position for the seventh consecutive season. This unprecedented decision comes with only three games remaining in the regular season, leaving the Nuggets poised to compete in the postseason but without their longstanding coach.
In addition to Malone’s dismissal, general manager Calvin Booth will not have his contract renewed. The team announced that David Adelman will step in as coach for the remainder of the season. Josh Kroenke, vice chairman of Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, the entity that owns the Nuggets, remarked that the decision was made with heavy hearts but was deemed necessary to provide the team the best opportunity for success as they aim for another NBA championship in 2025.
Historically, no NBA team has replaced a coach this late in the season while still heading into the playoffs. The move comes as the Nuggets struggle through a four-game losing streak, holding a 47-32 record amidst intense competition for the home-court advantage in the first round of this year’s playoffs. Denver’s recent struggles include a painful 125-120 defeat to Indiana, after which Malone openly criticized his own performance as head coach.
Despite the challenges, Nuggets star Nikola Jokic continues to deliver an outstanding season, averaging 30 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game. However, the team’s recent form does not guarantee them the advantage they need heading into the playoffs. Asked about the team’s issues, Jokic expressed uncertainty, a sentiment believed to have prompted this drastic change in leadership.
The Nuggets are optimistic that the leadership shakeup will invigorate the team. Malone’s tenure in Denver was the fourth longest among active NBA coaches, preceded only by Gregg Popovich of San Antonio, Erik Spoelstra of Miami, and Steve Kerr of Golden State. Malone departs with 471 wins under his belt, surpassing Doug Moe for the most victories in franchise history.
Kroenke acknowledged the difficult timing of the decision but emphasized the need for championship-level performance from the team. Under Malone’s guidance, the Nuggets transformed from a franchise with losing records to one that consistently reaches the playoffs. His tenure saw the team make the Western Conference finals in 2020 and then secure a championship in 2023.
Such a mid-season coaching change isn’t isolated; the Memphis Grizzlies recently dismissed their coach, Taylor Jenkins, despite being in playoff contention. This follows a pattern seen with the New Jersey Nets in the 1983 season and the Brooklyn Nets during the 2019-20 “bubble” season, both of which struggled in the playoffs post-coaching change.
Booth’s contributions, which were instrumental in constructing last year’s championship-winning roster, were acknowledged by Kroenke, who praised Booth’s basketball insight and expertise developed over years in the league. Looking ahead, the Nuggets face Sacramento in their next match, eager to solidify their playoff standing amidst this period of significant transition.