Denver Nuggets owner Josh Kroenke has assumed the role of interim president of basketball operations following a major front-office shakeup days before the start of the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
The decision comes after the organization dismissed both general manager Calvin Booth and head coach Michael Malone in a dramatic restructuring effort, as first reported by Shams Charania.
According to Chris Haynes, Kroenke will temporarily oversee basketball operations, supported by Ben Tenzer and Tommy Balcetis from the current front office.
A full search for a new general manager will be conducted in the offseason, but the timing of the move signals a sense of urgency within the franchise.
Kroenke met with the team prior to Wednesday’s shootaround and addressed concerns about their energy and effort.
He reportedly told players the team wasn’t playing with joy and urged them to fight with renewed passion for the rest of the season.
The Nuggets responded immediately, putting together a focused performance in a win over the Sacramento Kings.
Denver currently sits fourth in the Western Conference with a 48–32 record, trailing top-seeded Oklahoma City by 18 games.
This marks one of the most sudden leadership overhauls for a contender in recent NBA history.
Malone, the franchise’s winningest coach, was hired in 2015 and helped guide Denver from a rebuilding team to an NBA champion in 2023.
His departure makes him only the second head coach in league history to be fired this close to the playoffs, following Hubie Brown in 1981.
Malone’s influence on the growth of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray played a key role in the Nuggets’ rise to prominence over the past decade.
Despite that success, Denver’s recent struggles—particularly on the defensive end—contributed to the front office’s decision.
The Nuggets have lost multiple close games down the stretch, often giving up leads in the final minutes, which raised internal concerns about the team’s playoff readiness.
Lead assistant David Adelman has been promoted to interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
Adelman has served on the Nuggets’ bench since 2017 and is known for his strong rapport with players and deep understanding of Malone’s system.
Meanwhile, Kroenke’s new responsibilities come at a critical point in the franchise’s trajectory.
The 44-year-old has served as governor of the team since 2013 and was previously involved in key basketball decisions behind the scenes.
This marks the first time he will officially take on day-to-day operational duties for the front office.
Denver has three games left in the regular season and will need to stabilize quickly under its new leadership structure.
The team ranks among the NBA’s highest-scoring offenses, averaging 120.7 points per game, but has struggled to contain opponents, allowing 117.0 points per contest.
