It was recently reported that head coach Michael Malone and the Denver Nuggets front office may not be on the same page heading into the 2024-25 season following their relatively quiet offseason thus far.
ESPN’s Zach Lowe recently added credence to David Thorpe’s TrueHoop report in late August, saying there might be problems brewing in the Mile High.
“There are rumblings, 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,” Lowe said on his podcast. “To a degree even unusual for the NBA.”
Many believe Michael Malone is frustrated because the Denver Nuggets lost several important role players in the past few months. This offseason, they lost Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Jackson to free agency one year after losing Bruce Brown and Jeff Green.
Denver Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth is banking on young players to try and offset their recent losses, which may not be aligned with their current championship window.
Denver Nuggets’ rotation players have to step up
The Denver Nuggets front office has emphasized player development to compensate for their free agency losses. Along with the additions of Russell Westbrook and Dario Saric, Christian Braun, Peyton Watson, Julian Strawther, and Hunter Tyson are expected to have bigger roles in 2024-25.
It would also help the Denver Nuggets if they stay healthy throughout the year. Team president Josh Kroenke attributed Jamal Murray’s drop-off in form to his injuries, and they need him back at his best next season to warrant his desired lucrative contract extension.
Jamal Murray is entering the final year of his five-year, $158.3 million contract with the Denver Nuggets, and he is eligible for up to a four-year, $208.5 million max extension.
