Report: Nuggets front office and Mike Malone do not see eye to eye on direction of Franchise

[UpAndComing]

NBA rumors: Mike Malone, Nuggets front office clash over team direction


"Denver Nuggets head coach Mike Malone may not be fully aligned with the organization as the team heads into the 2024-25 season.

"There are rumblings," ESPN's Zach Lowe mentioned on his Lowe Post podcast. "Rumblings that the coaching staff and front office, or at least the head coach and the front office, aren't exactly seeing eye to eye in Denver. To a degree even unusual for the NBA."

Denver, the 2023 NBA champions, lost Kentavious Caldwell-Pope this offseason and chose not to bring in an external replacement. Instead, the expectation is that Christian Braun will step into KCP's spot in the starting lineup. The team is also in the midst of negotiating an extension for Jamal Murray.


The front office, led by GM Calvin Booth, is believed to be focused on developing the team's recent draft picks, even if that might affect short-term success. In contrast, Malone is reportedly pushing to rely on veterans, aiming for another championship run with Nikola Jokic, Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and Aaron Gordon leading the way.
Malone is under contract with the Nuggets through the 2026-27 season"





Nuggets owners are probably like, we already won a championship, we good on saving money and playing our draft picks now and rebuilding. And Mike Malone sees the writing on the wall

If true than


The reality of the situation is that NBA owners and NBA coaches/players/fans are rarely aligned with the goals of the team

 

[Justise M]

Westbrook already in mid season form. Destroying the franchise from within

 

[staticshock]

Jokic to Atlanta

 

[Saysumthinfunnymike]

Denver is in an interesting situation because they've already won and Joker clearly doesn't give a fukk about playing in the NBA until he's late 30s or some shyt... Nobody would be shocked if Joker retires from the league at like 33 and goes back to Serbia.

To me it's better to acquire vets and try to ride Joker to as much success as possible until he's done.

 

[Ohene]

Malone is right

 

[42 Monks]

miles for jokic. final offer

 

[Lucky_Lefty]

No one cares. Football season

 

[In The Zone '98]

Lol, Westbrook is their starting point guard

 

[UpAndComing]

Denver is in an interesting situation because they've already won and Joker clearly doesn't give a fukk about playing in the NBA until he's late 30s or some shyt... Nobody would be shocked if Joker retires from the league at like 33 and goes back to Serbia.

To me it's better to acquire vets and try to ride Joker to as much success as possible until he's done.

Not to dump on the Lakers (even though I don't mind lol), but every Owner is most likely terrified to be in the Laker's situation right now

Having a hall of fame player in his final years who is still a Top 20-ish level player, who is essentially holding their team's hostage by wanting talent around them, which makes the team expensive. And since that player is past their prime, the highest level they can achieve is a 2nd round exit at best. Jokic's game ages really well as he doesn't use his athleticism anyway. He can realistically be at this level for 8-10 more years. Nuggets front office see that and rather just blow it up or do an extreme retool and save money instead. Alot of NBA owners don't see a team being title contenders year in year out as a positive like NBA fans do

 

[NoMorePie]

They might as well trade jokoc right now before he demands a trade. He shouldn't deal with all this turmoil. It's not good for his health.

This should work

 

[SchoolboyC]

Definitely an unconventional choice that they’re going with a pseudo youth movement while having Jokic in his prime

Get it that with the second apron & repeater tax rules that rookie contracts are more valuable than ever but last 2 offseasons they’ve lost KCP, Brown & Uncle Jeff for nothing. Gotta maximize this window while it lasts because who knows how long it’ll be before Denver gets another superstar level player

 

[kdslittlebro]

Westbrook already in mid season form. Destroying the franchise from within

In Russ we trust

 

[Damnshow]

Calvin Booth is a shytty GM

And Michael Malone is an overrated coach.

They fit perfectly together

 

[DaSk8D00D]

The owners are cheap it’s as simple as that

 

[daboywonder2002]

Eagles and Patriots used to follow this method. Not overpay role players or aging players. The issue with Denver is their draft picks have not shown they can perform as starters or play with more minutes. Last year they got rid of Bruce cause they said Peyton Watson was more athletic and ready. Watson did nothing. Now you got Christian Braun who I dont think is ready to start.