NBA Rumors: 'Rumblings' Mike Malone, Nuggets Front Office Don't See 'Eye to Eye'

Denver Nuggets head coach Mike Malone may not be on the same page as the organization heading into the 2024-25 season.

"There are rumblings," ESPN's Zach Lowe said on his Lowe Post podcast this week (h/t RealGM). "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."

Perhaps Malone isn't thrilled that the Nuggets let Kentavious Caldwell-Pope walk in free agency, a key role player for the team who provided solid defense and perimeter shooting (40.6 percent from three last season) around the core group of Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon.

The Nuggets also didn't do much to replace him, with Russell Westbrook—who will serve as the backup point guard—as the team's biggest offseason addition. That means the less-proven Christian Braun is expected to slot into the starting lineup, and Denver's depth in general feels like a potential issue.

Even with Caldwell-Pope's departure, Denver has one of the best starting lineups in basketball. But beyond that, the talent quickly drops off, and it could hamper the team as it seeks to remain a title contender.