The NBA’s coaching carousel got started early in 2024-25.
Denver’s unprecedented decision to fire Michael Malone with three games remaining in the regular season has sent shockwaves around the league, and for good reason. Malone exits as the winningest coach in franchise history and the Nuggets are in the thick of the playoff race with a 47-32 record.
Given Malone’s standing as one of the more respected coaches in the NBA, he’s not expected to be out of work for long. His name will be one of the hottest if and when there are coaching vacancies this offseason.
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If Malone is back on an NBA sideline in 2025-26, here are some potential landing spots.
What’s next for Michael Malone?
Malone’s name will be mentioned throughout the upcoming coaching cycle of the 2025 offseason. With that in mind, a few potential landing spots immediately emerge, with the Spurs, Suns, Pelicans and 76ers standing out above others.
It’s also worth noting that Malone could opt to take a brief step back from coaching or join a different head coach’s staff.
All options are on the table.
Spurs
Gregg Popovich’s future on the sideline in San Antonio is uncertain, but his long-term health remains the priority.
After suffering a mild stroke early in the 2024-25 season, Popovich has been away from the team, save for a late-season address that fired up the group. He has not decided on his coaching future, but retirement is possible.
Should San Antonio need a new coach, Malone fits the bill. He establishes and maintains a culture, and his history with Nikola Jokic gives him experience of coaching a one-of-a-kind talent. That’s the type of voice Victor Wembanyama needs.
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Suns
Phoenix is set to miss the postseason again and majority owner Mat Ishbia could look to make another coaching change. If he does look for the team’s fourth coach in as many years, Malone will be considered.
The instability of the situation may give Malone pause, but he would provide a firm voice and consistency for a franchise that has seemingly lost its way after coming up short in the NBA Finals in 2021.
Pelicans
Malone was an assistant in New Orleans during the 2010-11 season and a few years of misfortune could cause the franchise to look in a new direction.
The re-emergence of Zion Williamson, the breakout season of Trey Murphy III and the potential of a top pick in the upcoming NBA Draft make the Pelicans an intriguing destination.
A new voice in the locker room could accelerate things in the right direction.
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76ers
Everything that could have gone wrong has gone wrong for the Sixers this year and head coach Nick Nurse could be at his wit’s end. If that’s the case, Malone could add another dynamic to the Jokic-Joel Embiid rivalry by heading to Philly.
The Sixers have the pieces to win now, they just need to be healthy to do so. And while injury management isn’t Malone’s job, he is skilled enough to make things work with the talent on Philadelphia’s roster.
If there is a change in Philadelphia, it feels like Malone could be a fit.
Michael Malone coaching record
Malone was fired before completing his 10th season at the helm in Denver. He amassed a 471-327 (.590) record with the Nuggets and is the winningest coach in franchise history.
| Season | Team | Record | Win Pct. |
| 2013-14 | Kings | 28-54 | .341 |
| 2014-15 | Kings | 11-13 | .458 |
| 2015-16 | Nuggets | 33-49 | .402 |
| 2016-17 | Nuggets | 40-42 | .488 |
| 2017-18 | Nuggets | 46-36 | .561 |
| 2018-19 | Nuggets | 54-28 | .659 |
| 2019-20 | Nuggets | 46-27 | .630 |
| 2020-21 | Nuggets | 47-26 | .653 |
| 2021-22 | Nuggets | 48-34 | .585 |
| 2022-23 | Nuggets | 53-29 | .646 |
| 2023-24 | Nuggets | 57-25 | .695 |
| 2024-25 | Nuggets | 47-32 | .595 |
| Total | 510-394 | .564 |
This story will be updated.