Nikola Jokic has been openly frustrated at times this season, but that does not mean the reigning NBA MVP had a direct role in Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone being fired.
Jokic spoke with the media on Wednesday night for the first time since Malone and Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth were fired the day before. Fresh off his 33rd triple-double of the season in a 124-116 win over the Sacramento Kings, Jokic was asked when he knew Malone was out.
Though he admitted to knowing about the coaching change before the news became public, Jokic indicated that ownership did not seek his input prior to making the decision.
“I knew a little bit before everybody,” Jokic said, via ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk. “And he told me, ‘We made a decision.’ So it was not a discussion. It was a decision. He told me why. And so I listened. And I accepted it. I’m not going to tell you what he told me. I’m going to keep that private.”
Jokic’s response meshes with a report earlier in the week that indicated he did not request a coaching change. However, the three-time MVP’s frustration throughout the season is said to have been taken into consideration.
Malone had been the head coach of the Nuggets since 2015, which was also when Jokic was drafted by the team. Jokic had become arguably the best player in the NBA while playing under Malone, who led Denver to an NBA title two years ago.
Even with the Nuggets headed to the playoffs again, Jokic had concerns about the team very early on in the year.
Had Jokic vouched for Malone, the coach probably would have survived at least through the end of the season. Even if Jokic were not consulted, it is unlikely that ownership would have risked angering their best player by making such a significant change with just three games remaining in the regular season.
