- The Denver Nuggets are 47-32 and in a logjam in the Western Conference from third to eighth place.
- The Nuggets are on a four-game losing skid with three games left in the season.
- Denver fired head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth, with their NBA championship odds dropping as a result.
The Denver Nuggets are in freefall to end the NBA regular season. Despite Nikola Jokić having the season of his life, the Nuggets are fifth in the Western Conference, and could fall into the play-in round after losing four in a row.
The organization reacted with massive moves on Tuesday, firing head coach Michael Malone after ten years. The Nuggets also parted ways with general manager Calvin Booth.
Malone and Booth Had Strained Relationship, Jokic Has Shown Frustration
The news was reported on Tuesday afternoon, shocking the NBA world.
It comes at a terrible time for the Nuggets, who are 47-32, but they’re one of six teams between 46 and 48 wins in the Western Conference. They’re currently in fifth place, but they could fall as far as eighth, which would put the Nuggets in the play-in round.
There were rumors that the relationship between Malone and Booth had become untenable, as the Nuggets have decided to go with young players like Christian Braun and Peyton Watson.
Veterans like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Bruce Brown were key contributors when the Nuggets won the NBA title in 2023. But Booth and the front office decided to let them walk instead of paying them. It has resulted in a disjointed team that is terrible on defense.
It also puts a lot of pressure on Jokic, the three-time MVP, who is still hanging on in the NBA MVP odds this season against Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Jokic is averaging 30.0 points, 12.8 rebounds, 10.2 assists, and he’s second in the league in steals.
The Nuggets might still get swept in the first round. With Jokic on the floor, the Nuggets’ net rating is 10.42. With their star center on the bench, the Nuggets are -10.14.
What Does This Mean for the Nuggets’ Playoff Chances?
Obviously, this is not great to fire your head coach and general manager with three games left in the season. Memphis did it on March 28 with Taylor Jenkins. The bookies dropped the Grizzlies’ NBA championship odds, and they’ve done the same to the Nuggets. Denver was +1400 on April 4, but as of April 9, they’re +2000 and that price will likely continue to drop.
The Nuggets will be led by lead assistant coach David Adelman, whose father, Rick, coached in the NBA for over two decades. David Adelman will have his hands full trying to right the ship with the Nuggets, with the playoffs just a few games away.
But you can also find Nikola Jokić next team odds at NBA betting sites, as some feel the Serbia star could leave Denver. One interesting option the bookies offer is that Jokic could head to Los Angeles to team up with Luka Dončić and LeBron James on the Lakers. That might be the most important aspect of all this, as the Nuggets can’t afford to lose Jokic.