This NBA season has been full of twists—starting from the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade that flipped expectations overnight, shocking even the most seasoned fans. Just when it seemed the dust had settled, the Denver Nuggets made headlines of their own. And it’s just before the playoffs, too! With three games left in the regular season, they fired head coach Michael Malone. After nearly a decade at the helm, his exit felt more like a plot twist than a team strategy.

Malone had been more than just a coach: he was the architect of Denver’s rise. Taking over in 2015, he turned a struggling team into NBA champions. His record was solid, his players respected him, and the front office had rewarded him with a hefty contract extension. But now, despite Denver’s strong position in the West, he’s out. Nuggets president Josh Kroenke called the move “carefully evaluated,” claiming it was best for another championship run.

Outside the front office, though, not everyone agrees. Carmelo Anthony was quick to speak up, calling for San Antonio to bring Malone in. “If I’m San Antonio, I’m going to get Mike Malone,” he said without hesitation. During a recent episode of his 7 PM In Brooklyn podcast, he pointed out how, with Popovich likely nearing the end of his legendary career, the Spurs could use a leader like Malone. Even Monica McNutt added to it, “Malone is off his tree, ain’t he?” Melo admitted that while he doesn’t know what took place behind the scenes, he would “love to see him get a job ASAP”.

What really sparked Melo’s fire was the money. “I’m not wasting $75 million on a coach like that,” Melo snapped. He believes if a coach signs for four years, they should finish all four: win or lose. In his words, “If I pay you four years, you stay here four years. I don’t give a f— what the record is.” Melo stressed on the point that if he were the owner of the Nuggets, he would only let go of Malone once the contract period is over.

He even pushed a bold idea: Include coaching salaries in the team’s salary cap. “It’s a different conversation,” Melo argued, if that money actually counted. Teams wouldn’t be so quick to dump a coach and eat the cost. With Malone now on the market, eyes are on what team gives him another shot. If Carmelo Anthony gets his wish, that team could be the Spurs.

Who’s Next? Nuggets’ potential choice following Michael Malone’s exit

The Nuggets’ sudden decision to fire head coach Michael Malone didn’t just rattle fans, it got NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal heated, too. Speaking on TNT alongside Candace Parker and Vince Carter, Shaq didn’t hold back. For him, it wasn’t just the firing: it was the timing that made it hard to understand.

Shaq pointed out that Malone is the “winningest” coach in Denver’s history and fresh off a 2023 title. “I would have liked it to be done a little more professional,” he said. The Nuggets are still playoff-bound, and he believes changing coaches now could damage their chances. He even pushed back on the idea that a season has to go smoothly to win a championship.

What seemed to frustrate him most was how close the playoffs were. Shaq said, “I would’ve like to see him, if it didn’t work after the year, say, ‘Coach Malone, thank you for what you’ve done.’ To let him go now, a week or two before the playoffs…” and trailed off. His words hinted at disappointment with the front office. He felt a more respectful goodbye after the postseason would’ve made far more sense.

With the team struggling recently, the front office made a bold call. But to Shaq and many others, it felt like the wrong time.