In a candid statement following a wave of leadership changes, Denver Nuggets president Josh Kroenke confirmed that the firings of head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth were “months in the making.”
Speaking at a press conference Friday afternoon, Kroenke said the decision was not based solely on recent playoff disappointments, but rather on a “strategic shift in the organization’s long-term vision.”
“These decisions are never easy,” Kroenke said. “Michael and Calvin have given so much to this franchise, and we’re grateful for everything they’ve done. But after several months of internal discussions and evaluations, we felt it was time to move in a new direction.”
The surprising move comes just days after the Nuggets were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, sparking frustration among fans and speculation about changes at the top.
Kroenke insisted the timing wasn’t reactionary. “We’ve been discussing potential changes since midseason,” he said. “Our expectations are championship-level, and we’re making the adjustments necessary to get there.”
The organization has begun its search for both a new head coach and general manager, with early rumors linking former NBA coach Mike D’Antoni and executive Trajan Langdon as possible candidates.
Nuggets star Nikola Jokić has not publicly commented on the shake-up, but sources close to the team say players were “caught off guard” by the announcement.
As the franchise resets, Kroenke promised fans, “This is about building something even stronger.”
