Report: Michael Malone could’ve been fired in 2023 if Nuggets didn’t win title

The Denver Nuggets made the shocking decision to fire head coach Michael Malone on Tuesday.

And according to a new report from ESPN’s Shams Charania, this could’ve happened two years ago, if the Nuggets hadn’t won the title in 2023.

Charania posted a clip of his reporting on today’s situation, which is worth watching, but it’s what he says near the end that is the most curious.

Reporting for NBA Today on arguably the most shocking in-season coach firing in league history with Nuggets dismissing Michael Malone – and players left surprised when informed: pic.twitter.com/kcR1MqAQBX

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 8, 2025

“He just led them to a championship in 2023. This is tied for the latest coaching change ever made. And it’s one that probably would’ve happened in 2023 if he had not won the championship. Just based on circumstances with him and Calvin Booth. But now that he’s fired after 10 years it’s certainly stunning for the Nuggets,” Charania said.

Earlier in the report, Charania mentions a “cold war” between Booth and Malone, one that neither won. Booth was also fired on Tuesday.

But to think Malone was on the verge of a dismissal in 2023 is pretty wild. Luckily, the Nuggets were excellent all season and went 16-4 in the playoffs en route to the franchise’s first championship.

Apparently, that run saved the job of Michael Malone and bought him some more time. Now, fewer than two years after that glorious parade through downtown Denver, he’s out of a gig.

And the Nuggets will see if they can save this season, or if canning Michael Malone sends them in the opposite direction and to the beach sooner than anyone had hoped.