With just a few games left before the 2025 playoffs commence, the Denver Nuggets made the shocking decision to fire head coach Mike Malone and GM Calvin Booth at the same time. Malone was coaching his 10th season for the Nuggets. Fans are still confused by the move, but NBA insider Tim MacMahon recently appeared on Brian Windhorst’s podcast with new details surrounding the decision.
“In talking to people around the organization, I frankly haven’t heard sadness that Michael Malone is no longer the Nuggets’ head coach. It’s been pretty much a consensus that his time had come,” MacMahon said.
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“This extended Cold War between Michael Malone and Calvin Booth had drained the joy from the entire organization. One guy used the term ‘freakin’ miserable,’ and they felt that those guys prioritized their own situations and their own egos to the expense of the team, that Malone had lost the locker room — including Joker, including Jamal Murray, on down.”
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MacMahon’s comments shed a little light on what may have been going on behind the seasons throughout the season. The Nuggets may still be a playoff team, but it’s becoming more apparent that Denver’s front office wanted to end any internal conflict between Malone and Booth.
Rumors of rocky relationships between players and Malone have made rounds, but they are unconfirmed and should be taken lightly.
Regardless, it’s clear that there were a lot of things going on behind the scenes that led to the recent firings.
James Parker is an NBA writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
