“Behind Closed Doors: Did a Nuggets Star Secretly Celebrate Michael Malone’s Shocking Firing?”

In a shocking twist of events, the Denver Nuggets—currently sitting fourth in the fiercely competitive Western Conference with a respectable 47-32 record—have decided to shake up their leadership as the playoffs loom on the horizon. Just three games away from the regular-season finish line, the organization made the bold choice to part ways with head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth. This move leaves fans—and analysts alike—scratching their heads. What on earth could motivate such a drastic change at this pivotal moment?

Former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins seems to suggest that there’s more than meets the eye behind this surprising decision. He boldly speculated that the franchise’s cornerstone, Nikola Jokic, might have played a crucial role in orchestrating this seismic shift—raising the eyebrow-raising question: do star players really have the power to influence coaching decisions? While many are left reeling from the news, Perkins isn’t so surprised, pointing to Denver’s inconsistent performances and Jokic’s undeniable frustration as clear signals that trouble was brewing beneath the surface of the defending champions.

As the Nuggets gear up for their first matchup against the Sacramento Kings under interim leadership, the path to redemption is fraught with tension, with playoff positioning and team chemistry hanging in the balance. Will Denver be able to turn things around, or are they, in fact, facing the beginning of a larger unraveling?

As playoff positioning solidifies and most teams focus on postseason preparation, the Denver Nuggets organization made the stunning decision to overhaul their leadership—despite sitting fourth in the competitive Western Conference with a respectable 47-32 record.

Behind this unexpected move, former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins sees more than meets the eye.

He believes the invisible hand of Denver’s franchise cornerstone may have guided this seismic shift in the organization’s direction.

“This firing doesn’t happen without the okay from Nikola Jokic,” Perkins stated on NBA Today.

Do star players have a say in coaching decisions?

“[Michael Malone’s] firing doesn’t happen without the okay from Nikola Jokic.”—@KendrickPerkins pic.twitter.com/I0RBF5sj0P

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 8, 2025

The timing makes the decision particularly puzzling—parting ways with both head coach Michael Malone and GM Calvin Booth with just three regular-season games remaining.

While many observers expressed shock, Perkins viewed this development as somewhat inevitable.

He pointed to the team’s inconsistent effort throughout the season as the clearest indication that Malone had lost grip on the locker room.

Throughout this campaign, signs of disconnect became increasingly apparent.

Denver’s defensive inconsistencies stood in stark contrast to their championship form last season, and Nikola Jokic’s visible frustration during games didn’t go unnoticed by league observers.

For Perkins, these signs suggested trouble brewing beneath the surface of the defending champions.

The Denver Nuggets now face the immediate challenge of regrouping under interim leadership while trying to snap their current four-game skid.

They’ll have their first opportunity to right the ship when they face the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night, with playoff positioning and team chemistry hanging in the balance.

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