It’s the kind of news that hits like a thunderclap—especially for a team that, not too long ago, was on top of the basketball world.
Less than two years after guiding the Denver Nuggets to their first-ever NBA championship, head coach Michael Malone is out of a job. And he’s not the only one.
General manager Calvin Booth is also being shown the door in a double shake-up that’s caught just about everyone off guard.
Let’s dive into what’s behind this sudden move—and what it means for Denver’s playoff hopes.
A Sudden and Surprising Split
On paper, this doesn’t make much sense. Denver is still in playoff position, sitting fourth in the hyper-competitive Western Conference with only three regular-season games to go.
But despite that, team leadership decided it was time for a drastic change.
The announcement came straight from Josh Kroenke, vice chairman of Kroenke Sports and Entertainment (yes, the same group that owns Arsenal FC in the Premier League).
In a carefully worded statement, Kroenke said that relieving Malone of his duties was a difficult decision made with the team’s championship goals in mind.
Assistant Coach Steps In—For Now
Stepping into Malone’s shoes—at least temporarily—is assistant coach David Adelman.
He’ll guide the Nuggets through the rest of the season as interim head coach.
It’s a tall task for anyone, let alone someone taking over a team mid-slide.
Denver is currently on a four-game losing streak, which no doubt played a role in these sudden firings.
Kroenke emphasized that the decision wasn’t made lightly, calling it a “necessary step” to keep the team competitive and maintain the standard that brought a title to Denver in 2023.
A Decade of Dedication Comes to an Abrupt End
Michael Malone wasn’t just any coach—he was the heart of the Nuggets’ transformation over the past ten years.
Since joining the franchise in 2015, Malone turned Denver into a playoff regular and, eventually, a championship-winning squad.
His coaching résumé includes a 471-327 record, a Western Conference Finals appearance in the 2020 bubble, and, most importantly, that historic 2023 NBA title win over the Miami Heat.
Before that, Malone worked his way up the NBA ladder after starting his career in high school and college basketball.
He held assistant coaching jobs with several NBA teams—including the Knicks, Cavs, Hornets, and Warriors—before taking his first head coaching job with the Sacramento Kings.
A Historic Firing That’s Still Hard to Explain
While Denver’s recent losing streak might justify some frustration, firing a successful coach and general manager just days before the playoffs is, well, almost unheard of.
And that’s not just a figure of speech. NBA insider Mark Stein pointed out that this is the first time in league history that two teams with winning records—the Nuggets and the Grizzlies—have fired their head coaches with fewer than ten games left in the season.
In fact, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Malone’s firing is tied for the latest coaching dismissal in NBA history, matching the timing of Hubie Brown’s exit from the Hawks back in the 1980-81 season.
Booth’s Quiet but Impactful Run Ends
While Malone was the face on the sidelines, GM Calvin Booth was busy making the behind-the-scenes moves that built the championship roster.
He joined Denver’s front office in 2017 and became general manager in 2020.
Under his watch, the team acquired key players like Aaron Gordon and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and drafted valuable role players including Bones Hyland and Christian Braun.
In a separate statement, Kroenke thanked Booth for helping deliver the city’s first title, praising his basketball IQ and years of dedication.
And despite the sudden split, it’s clear Booth’s place in Nuggets history is secure.
What’s Next for the Nuggets?
With the playoffs looming and just a few games left in the season, the Nuggets are in a tough spot.
The team is clinging to the fourth seed but could slip if they don’t find their footing quickly.
They’re half a game behind the Lakers and just half a game ahead of the eighth-seeded Grizzlies—a razor-thin margin in a wild Western Conference race.
Denver fans will be hoping that this bold move doesn’t derail their team’s momentum—and that interim coach David Adelman can steady the ship just long enough to keep their championship dreams alive.
