The Denver Nuggets took things a step further than the Memphis Grizzlies by parting ways with both head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth just a few games before the end of the 2024-25 NBA season. So far, the bold move appears to be paying off—Denver secured a 124-116 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday in their first game under interim head coach David Adelman. The win marked a strong debut for Adelman, who has already been mentioned as a top coaching candidate around the league.
The timing of the changes sparked concerns about potential disruption within the organization. However, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, that hasn’t been the case. “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. Despite Malone’s role in leading the team to the 2023 NBA championship, recent reports have pointed to growing tension in the locker room, suggesting his departure was anticipated by many within the organization.