Michael Malone Opens Up About His Coaching Future
The Denver Nuggets are preparing for the 2025-26 season under new head coach David Adelman, hoping to bounce back after falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder in last year’s Western Conference semifinals.
The team started the 2024-25 campaign with longtime coach Michael Malone at the helm of the Nikola Jokić-led roster. However, just three games before the playoffs, Malone was dismissed on April 8. Team president Josh Kroenke pointed to friction between Malone and then–general manager Calvin Booth, ultimately parting ways with both.
Malone has since landed a full-time role with ESPN’s NBA Countdown, but he hasn’t ruled out returning to the sidelines.
Malone on Whether He’ll Coach Again
Speaking with Frank Isola and Brian Scalabrine on SiriusXM’s The Starting Lineup, Malone admitted that coaching is still in his blood.
“In my heart, I’m a coach. I’m the son of a coach. I’d love to get back in. Things ended in Denver in a way that left a bad taste, and I’d like the chance to finish on my own terms,” he said.
He added that if he does return, it will be with an organization that shares his vision and commitment:
“When I go back into the NBA, I want to be surrounded by people who are like-minded, who share the same goals, and who are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve them.”
A Legacy in Denver
Malone, the winningest coach in Nuggets history, spent nearly a decade in Denver. He compiled a 471–327 record and guided the franchise to its first-ever championship in 2023.
With experience as an assistant for four teams and head coach for two, Malone’s résumé makes him a strong candidate for future openings, even if he doesn’t jump back into coaching right away.
