Michael Malone 'Definitely Not Done Coaching,' Led Jokic, Nuggets to 2023 NBA Title
Michael Malone says he plans to pursue another coaching job following his shocking dismissal by the Denver Nuggets days before the end of the 2024-25 regular season.
"I love my wife, I love my kids, I love my dogs, but I do miss being part of that team camaraderie, locker room atmosphere," Malone said in a Thursday interview on ESPN's Inside the NBA. "And I look forward to getting back to that.
"I'm definitely not done coaching. Coaching is in my blood. I got that from my father. And I'm excited to get back, coaching on those sidelines and teaching once again."
Malone's father, Brendan Malone, worked a 27-year NBA coaching career that included stints as head coach with the Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Malone himself began his NBA coaching career with the New York Knicks before working as an assistant in Cleveland, New Orleans and Golden State.
He made his head coaching debut with the Sacramento Kings in 2013 before taking over in Denver ahead of the 2015-16 campaign.
Malone went on to lead the Nuggets to a 510-394 record (.594 win percentage) while coaching the majority of 10 seasons with the team.
He also led his team to a 44-36 playoff record (.550 win percentage). That included the Nuggets' first championship in franchise history in 2023.
Less than two years after lifting the Larry O'Brien trophy, Malone was fired following an 11-13 stretch that threatened the Nuggets' ability to clinch a guaranteed playoff spot.
The Nuggets avoided the play-in after firing Malone only to lose the second round in seven games to the eventual champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
There weren't many NBA job openings this summer for Malone or his fellow veteran free agent, former Memphis Grizzlies boss Taylor Jenkins. The Nuggets, Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs and Sacramento Kings all ended up responding to head coaching turnover by promoting interim leaders.
The Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks hired new head coaches this summer, but the Suns turned to former Cavs assistant Jordan Ott while the Knicks hired former Kings head coach Mike Brown.
Although ESPN announced in September that Malone would join the network as a full-time member of the NBA Countdown team, it seems clear the 54-year-old plans to eventually return to the NBA.
Where Malone gets his next job opportunity could depend on how much coaching turnover takes place as the 2025-26 NBA season continues.
