NBA Fans React to Major Potentially Concerning Denver Nuggets News

An ESPN insider revealed some potentially concerning Denver Nuggets news
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) and forward Aaron Gordon (50) and guard Christian Braun (0) look on as head coach Michael Malone talks during a timeout in the first quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at Ball Arena.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) and forward Aaron Gordon (50) and guard Christian Braun (0) look on as head coach Michael Malone talks during a timeout in the first quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at Ball Arena. / Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
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The Denver Nuggets were eliminated in the Western Conference Semifinals last season by the Minnesota Timberwolves. This came after the Nuggets won their first NBA championship in franchise history in 2023 behind Nikola Jokic's historic Finals MVP run.

Undergoing some changes since their championship run, Denver no longer has key contributors Bruce Brown or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Brown departed in the 2023 offseason for a bigger deal in free agency with the Indiana Pacers, and Caldwell-Pope did the same this summer when he signed with the Orlando Magic.

The next major order of business for Denver will be Jamal Murray’s contract extension, which the team has expressed optimism will be an easy process; however, a deal remains unsigned.

In a report from ESPN’s Zach Lowe, it was revealed that there have been “rumblings” about Nuggets head coach Michael Malone and the team’s front office not seeing eye to eye.

Michael Malone
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone against the Minnesota Timberwolves during game two of the second round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Ball Arena. / Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

“There are rumblings,” Lowe said on the Lowe Post podcast (h/t RealGM). "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."

This is potentially concerning news for Denver that NBA fans have been reacting to.

Via @TommyGunnNBA: “Incredible that these seasoned coaches who have championship level teams, do NOT want to coach young players, who have no idea how to win in the NBA. Shocking, I tell you. SHOCKING!!”

Via @TorreyTime: “coach who doesnt play young players has his hand forced by GM who only rosters young talent outside the core 4. who could have saw this coming??”

Via @nikotaughtyou: “Team is losing a piece every summer since the chip, and there will be another soon.”

Via @milehighadi: “I feel like even through winning the championship it was kind of clear that Malone and Booth didn’t completely see eye to eye, but I need to hear more before I have any actual thoughts on this”

Via @TiWindisch: ”Yes the rumblings were when the front office dumped basically every possible veteran to force him to play the young draft picks”

It will be interesting to see what comes of this situation in Denver.

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Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn52@gmail.com Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis and reporting Experience: Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.