Carmelo Anthony did not hold back when reacting to the Denver Nuggets’ decision to dismiss head coach Michael Malone just days before the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
Speaking on 7PM in Brooklyn, a Wave Original series he co-hosts, Anthony criticized the timing and implications of the move, calling it a disrespectful message to the franchise’s centerpiece, Nikola Jokic.
The Nuggets parted ways with Malone following a string of poor performances and a deteriorating relationship between the coach and general manager Calvin Booth, as reported by Shams Charania on ESPN.
Anthony described the decision as an indication that Denver’s front office believes the current roster has peaked, stating, “You’ve built an amazing culture over here in Denver. [Malone] was the key… But it’s just like this guy can’t beat Minnesota. You peak.”
The former Nuggets star suggested that the firing implies a deeper strategic pivot by the franchise, potentially signaling a willingness to move on from the core that delivered a championship in 2023.
Anthony questioned why such a drastic decision was made so close to the playoffs, saying, “We got three games left… You guys could still make a run. Why are you pulling the trigger like that?”
According to Anthony, the timing reflects a lack of belief in the current group’s ability to contend, and it disrespects Jokic’s leadership role within the team.
He added, “That’s where Joker has to say something… As a leader of that [team], you put me on the island. So that’s like a slap in the face to me.”
Charania reported that ownership, led by Josh Kroenke, made the move in an effort to “flip the culture” heading into the postseason after the team fell in defensive efficiency and lost seven of its last ten games.
Despite being tied for the fourth-best record in the Western Conference at 47-32, the Nuggets have struggled with consistency since the All-Star break.
Charania also revealed that the decision stunned everyone inside the organization, including both Malone and Booth, as well as the players, who were informed during a meeting with Kroenke.
Anthony further criticized the broader trend of high-cost coaching contracts being terminated prematurely, stating, “If I pay you four years, you stay here four years. I don’t give a f*ck what the record is.”
He proposed integrating coaching salaries into the team salary cap as a way to discourage impulsive firings, emphasizing, “They would be reluctant.”
Malone, who became the winningest coach in franchise history during his tenure, was widely credited for transforming the Nuggets into a perennial contender, including the title run two years ago.
Assistant coach David Adelman will serve as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season, taking over as the team prepares for its final three games before the playoffs.
Anthony, who played seven seasons in Denver and remains one of the most recognizable figures in franchise history, made it clear that the decision not only affects the locker room but sends a message across the league.
“This ain’t just about Mike Malone,” Anthony said. “This is about the standard and how it affects your franchise player. That’s why Joker should speak on it.”
Denver now faces the postseason under new leadership and mounting pressure, with Jokic, Jamal Murray, and the rest of the roster tasked with quickly adjusting to a seismic change.
The situation echoes the recent firing of Taylor Jenkins in Memphis, marking a rare moment in league history when two playoff-bound teams dismissed their head coaches in the final week of the regular season.
According to Charania, the Nuggets likely would have made the change sooner if not for Malone’s 2023 championship, but internal tensions with Booth pushed the decision to the forefront.
Whether the shakeup delivers the spark Denver’s front office hopes for remains to be seen as the playoffs approach.
