Sat Apr 12 04:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Nuggets Shake Up Coaching Staff, Firing Head Coach Michael Malone and General Manager Calvin Booth
**Denver, CO** – In a stunning move just three games before the end of the regular season, the Denver Nuggets fired head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth. The decision, announced Tuesday, comes after a period of internal strife and declining performance, despite the team’s 2023 NBA championship victory.
Team President Josh Kroenke cited a toxic atmosphere within the organization as the primary reason for the firings. A deep rift between Malone and Booth, which had festered for two years, reportedly created factions within the coaching staff, front office, and even among players. This internal conflict, masked by wins earlier in the season, became increasingly apparent as the Nuggets stumbled in recent weeks. Players reportedly felt their playing time was influenced by the feud, and overall team morale suffered.
While Malone’s leadership and coaching ability weren’t questioned, his rigid personality and the public nature of his conflict with Booth ultimately led to his dismissal. The situation, sources say, reached a point where it overshadowed the team’s focus on maximizing the remaining years of superstar center Nikola Jokic’s prime. Jokic, while not publicly critical, was reportedly aware of the issues and unhappy with the internal conflict. He met with Kroenke prior to the announcement and expressed acceptance of the decision.
The timing of the firings, so close to the end of the regular season, is seen as a calculated risk by Kroenke. The hope is to create a fresh start, reinvigorate the team, and potentially secure the services of interim coach David Adelman, who is considered a candidate for several head coaching vacancies this summer.
The Nuggets’ urgency stems from Jokic’s upcoming eligibility for a three-year, $212 million contract extension. The organization is keenly aware that any hesitation on Jokic’s part could have devastating consequences.
The firing of Booth also raises questions about the Nuggets’ approach to executive retention. The team has a history of developing talented executives, but struggles to keep them. Booth’s departure follows the exits of Masai Ujiri and Tim Connelly, who were both lured away by more lucrative offers from other teams.
The Nuggets’ players, with the exception of Russell Westbrook, attended a meeting with Kroenke where the firings were announced. Initial reactions were mixed, with some expressing disbelief and concern over the manner of Malone’s dismissal. However, the team showed a noticeably improved performance in their following game, suggesting that the shake-up might have been the catalyst for a renewed sense of focus. Nikola Jokic, in a post-game interview, indicated that the changes may have “woken up the beast”. Whether this proves to be a turning point for the Nuggets remains to be seen with just three games left in the regular season.
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