RealGM

Nikola Jokic didn't speak publicly about the dysfunction that has plagued the Denver Nuggets this season, but sources tell ESPN that he "wasn't happy about it."

"Joker is really good at letting you know how he feels," a team source said, "without saying anything."

Jokic has never given any indication he would consider leaving the Nuggets and even gave the franchise a vote of confidence before the season despite losing key veterans like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope over the past two offseasons. 

"I think people in general, they always want more and more and more, but they don't know what they have," Jokic told ESPN. "I'm really happy we have one title -- a lot of very good players don't win."

But the Nuggets still operate with urgency in maximizing their title window around Jokic.

"We have the best player in the world," a Nuggets official said. "We take that very seriously."

The three-year, $212 million extension that Jokic is eligible for this offseason was one of the factors that led to the urgency of Josh Kroenke's decision to fire Michael Malone and Calvin Booth.

Via Tim MacMahon, Ramona Shelburne/ESPN

He gone.

Now that they are coached by their assistant doesnt mean that the dysfunction is gone now. If it was systemic, it may take time to change. These things take time. I get that they believe cutting ties with Malone will stop the bleeding, but the wound still needs time to heal. It may take up to a season for this cultural change.

The GM selected players that the coach did not like. The GM got angry at the coach for not playing them, while he preferred veterans that the GM continuously let leave or forced to leave.
To say it in a good way, the young players like Strauther and Nnaji, Watson and this other key were not good enough to play in a system where you need smart, position players around the Joker.