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[Saba Sports News] Denver Nuggets owner Josh Kroenke offered a candid reflection on the team’s decision to part ways with head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth last week.
The move came as a shock, with the Nuggets headed to the playoffs and reports suggesting friction between Malone and Booth played a role. On Monday, Kroenke admitted the outcome wasn’t deserved.
“To be frank, neither of them deserved it. And I apologize for that,” Kroenke said. “I needed to be better at different points in time.”
Over the past few seasons, Denver has let key contributors like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope walk in free agency, often due to financial constraints. While Kroenke didn’t explicitly mention cost-cutting, there’s been speculation that ownership’s desire to control spending contributed to the team’s roster challenges.
Another factor was the strained relationship between Malone and Booth, which reportedly grew worse over time. Some believe Kroenke could have stepped in sooner to address the conflict before it led to drastic changes.
Kroenke has hinted at broader issues within the organization before. While it remains unclear how he plans to move forward, his acknowledgment points to lessons learned—hopefully in time to stabilize the franchise.
The Nuggets will begin their playoff run on Saturday, hosting the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round.