In a stunning and unexpected move, the Denver Nuggets have parted ways with Head Coach Michael Malone and General Manager Calvin Booth—just three games before the end of the regular season. Malone had been at the helm for the past 10 seasons, guiding the team through a decade of growth and culminating in the franchise’s first-ever NBA Championship in 2023. Booth had served as GM since 2020, overseeing key roster moves that helped shape the team into a title contender.
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Since hoisting the trophy in 2023, however, the Nuggets haven’t been able to recapture that same magic. The following season, Denver entered the playoffs as the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference but was upset in the second round by the upstart Minnesota Timberwolves. This year, the team has struggled to find consistency and has largely relied on MVP front-runner Nikola Jokic to carry them through rough patches.
Behind the scenes, tensions had reportedly been brewing between Malone and Booth. The organization has seen a steady loss of key role players since the championship run—players who were never adequately replaced. The disconnect between the front office and coaching staff became increasingly apparent, forcing members within the organization to choose sides as the rift widened.
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Despite their uneven play, the Nuggets remained in the thick of the Western Conference race. But since the All-Star break, they’ve slipped. Denver posted an 11-13 record during that stretch and had lost four straight games before the decision was made. The final straw appeared to be a home loss to the Indiana Pacers, which followed a heartbreaking double-overtime defeat to Minnesota—despite a historic 61-point triple-double from Jokic.
While Jokic had been the lone bright spot for much of the season, sources confirmed he was not involved in the decision to let go of either Malone or Booth. Following the firings, assistant coach David Adelman was named interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Under Adelman, the Nuggets responded immediately, winning their final three games and locking up the No. 4 seed in the West. That finish earns them home-court advantage in a first-round matchup against the No. 5 seed Los Angeles Clippers.
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Whether the sudden change in leadership is what sparks a turnaround remains to be seen. But the timing of the decision has certainly raised eyebrows. It’s rare—almost unheard of—for a team still contending in the playoff race to make such a significant shakeup so close to the postseason. While it’s possible that ownership had already decided to move on from Malone and Booth after the season, firing them with just three games remaining sent a clear message: something had to change.
Perhaps the organization felt that a weight had been lifted, and the shift in energy could help propel them into a deep playoff run. With the postseason now set to begin, the Nuggets will look to rally around their new coach, their MVP, and a fresh mindset—as they try to recapture some of that 2023 championship magic. The question is will this backfire.
