Michael Malone, Nuggets' Front Office Reportedly Not 'Seeing Eye To Eye'

[RealGM Wiretap]

The Denver Nuggets lost Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free agency without an external replacement as the expectation is Christian Braun will take his place at shooting guard in the starting lineup. Calvin Booth has prioritized the development of Denver's draft picks with the goal of building a sustainable contender, but that could come at the expense of their short-term success managed by Michael Malone.

"There are rumblings," said Zach Lowe on his podcast this week. "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."

Malone signed an extension with the Nuggets early in the 23-24 season that reportedly runs through 26-27. Booth signed an extension in 2022 when he ascended to the top decision maker with the franchise after the departure of Tim Connelly. Booth's deal expires after the 24-25 season.

Denver currently is navigating a potential extension for Jamal Murray, who would otherwise become a free agent in 2025. Aaron Gordon also soon becomes extension eligible and he has a player option for 25-26 that could allow him to test free agency.

Via Zach Lowe/ESPN

[Wildcat]

Pretty obvious. Denver are letting key players go because no matter how much success they'll have, they're still a small market team scared of death of the aprons. And they have to keep an eye on Murray and Gordon's up coming contracts.

[objectivefan]

Pretty obvious. Denver are letting key players go because no matter how much success they'll have, they're still a small market team scared of death of the aprons. And they have to keep an eye on Murray and Gordon's up coming contracts.

All teams operate under the same conditions:

Revenue sharing in the NBA addresses the inequitable circumstances between small and big markets. All teams pool their annual revenue and redistribute it from high-grossing teams to low-grossing ones. By these means, each team will receive revenue equal to the salary cap that year1. The league shares merchandise revenue evenly between all 30 teams3. The NBA also has a solid revenue sharing program, with 10 percent of the massive national TV deals going into a revenue sharing pool3. The NBA's salary structure ensures that players and owners share revenue equally4. Both sides are guaranteed a certain portion of basketball-related income through the collective bargaining agreement, somewhere between 49-51 percent4.

[Pickled Prunes]

Pretty obvious. Denver are letting key players go because no matter how much success they'll have, they're still a small market team scared of death of the aprons. And they have to keep an eye on Murray and Gordon's up coming contracts.

All teams operate under the same conditions:

Revenue sharing in the NBA addresses the inequitable circumstances between small and big markets. All teams pool their annual revenue and redistribute it from high-grossing teams to low-grossing ones. By these means, each team will receive revenue equal to the salary cap that year1. The league shares merchandise revenue evenly between all 30 teams3. The NBA also has a solid revenue sharing program, with 10 percent of the massive national TV deals going into a revenue sharing pool3. The NBA's salary structure ensures that players and owners share revenue equally4. Both sides are guaranteed a certain portion of basketball-related income through the collective bargaining agreement, somewhere between 49-51 percent4.

That's not how it works. Revenue sharing ventures to insure that no teams are losing money, but large market teams (in general) still earn more.

[Wallace_Wallace]

They're going to have to pick more diamonds in the rough or swing for the fences in order to have more quality players. Maybe Bruce Brown negotiates a buyout? Take a flyer on Markelle Fultz? MPJ for Brandon Ingram/Lonzo Ball (expiring contract if they don't work out)? It's gonna tough for them retool unless they draft really well.

[Pickled Prunes]

They're going to have to pick more diamonds in the rough or swing for the fences in order to have more quality players. Maybe Bruce Brown negotiates a buyout? Take a flyer on Markelle Fultz? MPJ for Brandon Ingram/Lonzo Ball (expiring contract if they don't work out)? It's gonna tough for them retool unless they draft really well.

The players that they let go are overrated and got overpaid because of DEN's success. The problem isn't that they let players go, it's that they didn't find a way to replace them. The main reason why creating a dynasty is so difficult is that average players on championship teams get godfather offers from other teams... and it usually doesn't pan out for either team.

[niha17]

Denvers owners is cheap. He got the ring and now they losings all their role players.

[hippesthippo]

He hasn't added **** and one of the more promising picks is injured!

It wasn't a huge deal to me at first as a fan --it was clear the new CBA would effect Denver, but I was okay with that because I like the new rules. However, after seeing team after team add decent talent for dirt cheap vet min deals, Exhibit 10 contracts, etc... there is no reason for Booth not to get in on the action.

It's not like Denver has elite prospects and even if they did, what harm is it going to do to ask them to compete for the job in practice?

Do something, Calvin!!!

[the_process]

Kroenke is not the guy to open the bag and start throwing money.

That being said, paying Brown and KCP that much would have been mismanagement for Denver.

Coaches always want to win as much as possible right now, while GMs also have to look forward and do the bidding of their owner as it relates to payroll. They often work at cross purposes. So this seems natural, especially for a smaller market paying a ton for Jokic and Porter and about to be paying a ton for Murray and Gordon.

They really need to try and break up Porter into multiple rotation pieces.

[dubbmotta]

Denvers owners is cheap. He got the ring and now they losings all their role players.

I wouldn't say he was cheap he overpaid for MPJ..KCP and Bruce Brown are not worth the contracts they received in Free Agency. They do a good job drafting and may see something in the young dudes we haven't seen yet. Braun and Watson have good upsize. Signing Russ was head scratcher though, I would of went with a defensive guard like Dennis Smith Jr, and he would of been cheaper.