According to NBA expert Zach Lowe of ESPN, Michael Malone and the Denver Nuggets‘ front workplace are not “seeing eye to eye.”

The Nuggets lost Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Orlando Magic and signed Dario Saric and Russell Westbrook this offseason.

“There are 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,” Lowe stated on his podcast. “To a degree even unusual for the NBA.”

The Nuggets won the 2023 title versus the Miami Heat. They went 57-25 last season and lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2nd round of the 2024 playoffs in 7 video games. 

Malone signed an extension with the Nuggets last season that goes through the 2026-27 season. Calvin Booth signed an extension in 2022 when he rose to the leading decision-maker post with the franchise after the departure of Tim Connelly.

Booth’s offer ends after next season. 

Jamal Murray and the Nuggets haven’t yet consented to an agreement extension, triggering reports that an offer might not take place. Murray will make $36 million next season in the last year of his agreement. He signed a five-year, $195 million handle Denver in 2019. 

One of the leading guards in the NBA, Murray balanced 21.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 6.5 helps, 1.0 takes and 0.7 blocks last season while shooting 48.1% from the field, 42.5% from beyond the arc and 85.3% from the free-throw line. He has a close relationship with Malone. 

Murray was the seventh general choice in the 2016 NBA Draft out of Kentucky. He has profession averages of 17.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.5 helps, 1.0 takes and 0.3 blocks. 

According to NBA press reporter Bennett Durando of the Denver Post, three-time MVP Nikola Jokic backed the concept of the Nuggets getting Westbrook, who is still aiming to win his very first champion. 

The NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles, Westbrook balanced 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 helps, 1.1 takes and 0.3 blocks in 2023-24 for the Los Angeles Clippers while shooting 45.4% from the field, 27.3% from beyond the arc and 68.8% from the nasty line.