With three games left in their schedule, the Denver Nuggets made two stunning moves in one day.
Mike Malone’s 10-year tenure at Denver came to an end as the Nuggets parted ways with the 2023 champion tactician on Wednesday, April 9.
That is on top of another major decision to sack general manager Calvin Booth after spending eight years with the team.
The Denver Nuggets have relieved Head Coach Michael Malone of his duties and will not extend General Manager Calvin Booth.
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) April 8, 2025
David Adelman will assume our head coaching role for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.
Full Release: https://t.co/d176KtKK5w
David Adelman will serve as the interim head coach for the Nuggets during the remainder of the season.
“This decision was not made lightly and was evaluated very carefully. We do it only with the intention of giving our group the best chance at competing for the 2025 NBA Championship and delivering another title to Denver and our fans everywhere,” team vice chairman Josh Kroenke said in a statement.
Hear from Josh Kroenke, Vice Chairman of KSE, regarding today’s news.
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) April 8, 2025
The moves came with the Nuggets (47-32), who are sitting in fourth place of the West, battling in the middle of a tight playoff race with five days remaining before the regular season ends. Denver's last three games will be against the Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies, and the Houston Rockets.
Malone left as the only coach to deliver a championship for the franchise two years ago after defeating the Miami Heat in six games.
The 53-year-old also posted the most regular season (471) and playoff (44) wins in franchise history while developing superstar Nikola Jokic into a three-time MVP.
Meanwhile, Booth came to Denver in 2017 as an assistant general manager before getting promoted in July 2020.
Just two weeks ago, the Grizzlies let go of Taylor Jenkins in another shocking move with Tuomas Iisalo being elevated in an interim head coach capacity.
[ALSO READ: In a shock move, Grizzlies dismiss Taylor Jenkins with the playoffs looming]
