A recent report indicates increasing tension between two key factions within the Denver Nuggets organization.
The Nuggets have been one of the NBA’s top teams over the past six seasons, consistently making playoff appearances. They reached the Western Conference Finals twice and secured their first championship in 2023. Central to this success has been three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, but head coach Mike Malone has also played a crucial role. Malone has been instrumental in developing Jamal Murray into an All-Star and turning Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. into significant contributors on a championship-caliber team. Without Malone, the Nuggets might not be among the league’s elite teams.
Despite Malone’s impact, recent developments suggest that there may be friction between him and the Nuggets’ front office. In November, Malone received a multi-year extension after a strong start to the season. However, following an unexpected exit in the semifinals and with training camp for the 2024-25 season approaching, reports of discord between the coaching staff and the front office have surfaced.
On a recent episode of the “Lowe Post” podcast, Zach Lowe noted, “There are rumblings that the coaching staff and front office, particularly the head coach and the front office, aren’t seeing eye to eye in Denver. This level of discord is somewhat unusual for the NBA.”
This internal conflict could spell trouble for the Nuggets as they prepare for the upcoming season. The situation remains fluid, and how the organization resolves these issues will be crucial as they look to build on their recent successes and maintain their competitive edge.