Nuggets reportedly reach extension with head coach Michael Malone after NBA title run

Michael Malone is set to remain in Denver for the foreseeable future, having agreed to a new contract extension with the Nuggets. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Malone will be among the league’s top-earning coaches as a result.

Following the Nuggets’ historic victory in the NBA finals, this contract extension reflects the significant role Malone has played in the team’s success, propelling him into an elite financial bracket within the coaching realm. In comparison, the Detroit Pistons have reached a lucrative six-year agreement likely worth more than $80 million.

Assuming the coaching reins in Denver in 2015, Malone has steered the Nuggets through a transformational period, transcending from one of the league’s weakest outfits to a powerhouse team in the Western Conference led by two-time MVP Nikola Jokić. According to ESPN, the Nuggets boast the second-best winning percentage in the league since the 2018-2019 season, culminating in a phenomenal 16-4 record in the 2023 playoffs, resulting in their championship win.

Malone, whose career in Denver makes him third in both games and wins behind Doug Moe and George Karl, holds the record for the most postseason wins in the team’s history. He’s also the sixth on the list of active coaches with the most wins in the NBA. Prior to his time in Denver, Malone had a two-year stint with the Sacramento Kings and served as an assistant coach with the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, New Orleans Hornets, and Golden State Warriors.

The Nuggets’ current 8-2 start this season ties them as the best in the Western Conference alongside the Dallas Mavericks, making them a force to be reckoned with once more and solidifying their place as a dominant contender. Their upcoming match against the Los Angeles Clippers is one not to be missed, promising a thrilling matchup for fans and critics alike.