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Nuggets Notes: Coaching & GM Change, Westbrook, Braun, Adelman
Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

The Nuggets were headed in the wrong direction when they made the controversial decision to fire head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth with three games remaining in the regular season, writes Ramona Shelburne of ESPN. They had just lost four in a row and were in danger of dropping into the play-in tournament. Now they’re headed to the second round of the playoffs after destroying the Clippers in Saturday’s Game 7, and Nikola Jokic believes the changes paved the way for playoff success.

“I think the owner … wanted to change something, to change the energy, and probably he did,” Jokic said. “He got the result he was looking for.”

Malone and Booth had a contentious relationship for years and were locked in an ongoing battle of basketball philosophies. Malone preferred to rely on experienced players who had earned his trust, while Booth wanted him to give more minutes to the young talent he drafted and signed. Numerous reports stated that their bickering brought a negative energy to the organization, and they were both likely to be let go after the season ended.

“If we don’t make the changes, there’s no way we’re even in a Game 7,” a Nuggets executive told Shelburne.

There’s more from Denver:

  • Saturday’s victory was satisfying for former Clipper Russell Westbrook, who contributed 16 points, five rebounds, five assists and five steals in 27 minutes, Shelburne adds. As they did throughout the series, L.A.’s defenders backed far off Westbrook and dared him to shoot from the outside. He promised after Game 1 to discuss the strategy when the Nuggets “took care of business,” and Saturday night he did. “I think they believed that that was their best bet of stopping me or taking me out of this series,” Westbrook said. “But one thing that nobody knows is that I work my ass off. So regardless of what anybody does, I’m always prepared and I’ll be prepared for anything because I prepare myself for everything. And like I said, after Game 1, if they continue doing it, I’m going to make ’em pay. I don’t know what I shot for the series.” When informed that it was 42%, he smiled and said, “Damn, that’s solid. I guess it didn’t work out so well for them.”
  • Christian Braun got a chance to erase the bad memories of last year’s Game 7 loss to Minnesota, notes Luca Evans of The Denver Post. Braun was limited to five points in 19:46 as the Nuggets were eliminated in 2024, but he was crucial to this year’s victory. He played tight defense on James Harden throughout the series, and kept the Nuggets from falling too far behind by scoring nine of their 21 first-quarter points on Saturday. “I wanted to be more,” Braun said, referencing the loss to the Wolves. “And everybody wants to play more. But I just thought that in that game, I felt like I was playing well and wanted to play more minutes. And everybody wants that, everybody in the league wants that, and I got that. That’s exactly what I wanted, and those guys trusted me — they have all year — but they trusted me in that moment. So, this is the exact moment I was looking for.”
  • The Nuggets should remove head coach David Adelman’s interim tag as soon as their playoff run ends, contends Troy Renck of The Denver Post. Renck states that ownership is leaning toward giving Adelman the job on a permanent basis, and he proved he’s worthy with his performance in the first-round series.

This article first appeared on Hoops Rumors and was syndicated with permission.

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Are Jazz finally ready to part ways with All-Star forward?
NBA

Are Jazz finally ready to part ways with All-Star forward?

The Utah Jazz's rebuilding project feels like it’s accelerating, and moving Lauri Markkanen might be the next domino to fall. Guard Collin Sexton was traded to the Charlotte Hornets in late June, forward John Collins exercised his $26.5M player option and was subsequently flipped to the L.A. Clippers in a three‑team deal and guard Jordan Clarkson was cut. They also drafted Ace Bailey with the fifth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, signaling they are pressing forward with youth and flexibility as cornerstones of their plan. Just one year ago, Utah eyed moving Markkanen, who was linked to the Golden State Warriors last summer, but ultimately decided to re-sign him to a five-year, $238M extension, making him essentially untradeable for the 2024-25 season. That deal set the stage for where things stand today: a large contract paired with declining production. His 2024-25 season was underwhelming by his standards. Across 47 games — he missed time due to both a shoulder injury and the team tanking — Markkanen averaged just 19.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists on 42.3% shooting, including 34.6% from three-point range. Those numbers represent a drop from his previous production, and Utah missed the playoffs entirely with just 17 wins. Now that Utah is blowing up its roster, with veteran trades clearing room, the 2024 All-Star now looks like a misaligned asset. His salary will account for over $45M against the cap in 2025-26, giving the front office a stark choice: trade him now or risk being stuck when the contract outpaces performance. Maybe a responsive team would package young assets or a first-rounder for him, but only if Utah sweetens the deal, meaning it would need to take back bad salary or future picks. After all, the Jazz earlier accepted Kevin Love and Kyle Anderson, plus a second-round pick in the Collins deal, clearly prioritizing cap space and draft flexibility over retaining core pieces. By holding onto him last year, Utah effectively wasted a prime trade window. Now, with Bailey and other young wings pushing for minutes, Markkanen may become the odd man out in both minutes and long-term vision. If they wait too long again, Utah could face the same mistake they made with Collins — overpaying, then accepting minimal return. This time, shrugging might cost even more, since his contract is fully guaranteed and extends beyond a likely competitive window. For a franchise chasing youth and control, Markkanen may no longer fit. He’s not an All-Star floor spacer who demands defensive attention anymore — he’s a heavy contract that limits future maneuverability. And after Utah’s signal this offseason, it’s obvious they’re aiming for a clean slate rather than nostalgia. The answer should be clear: if the Jazz truly want flexibility to move up or revamp around new guard and wing prospects, it’s smarter to deal him now while he still holds some shine. Otherwise, he could turn into a cap anchor they can’t shake.

Yankees Land David Bednar, but Rafael Flores Headliner Raises Eyebrows
MLB

Yankees Land David Bednar, but Rafael Flores Headliner Raises Eyebrows

The New York Yankees made a decisive move by acquiring All-Star closer David Bednar from the Pittsburgh Pirates. The addition addresses a clear weakness in the Yankees' bullpen, which has struggled to shut down games consistently this season. However, the price paid for top catching prospect Rafael Flores and promising outfielder Edgleen Perez brings with it some understandable questions and risks. A Clear Need Addressed New York's bullpen has been a major concern. It is ranked 21st in MLB with a 4.24 ERA and a 1.313 WHIP through July 31. Relievers gave up a 4.28 ERA in July alone, highlighting ongoing inconsistency. Bednar, a two-time All-Star, owns a 2.65 ERA and 22 saves this season. He offers the Yankees a reliable and experienced late-inning arm who can stabilize the ninth inning and provide postseason poise. The Cost of Future Potential Flores, 23, has emerged as one of the Yankees' best catching prospects, boasting a .276/.351/.826 slash line with 16 home runs and 60 RBIs across Double-A and Triple-A in 2025. Known for elite framing and solid offensive skills, Flores was widely regarded as near MLB-ready and could have been a long-term answer behind the plate. Trading him and Perez signals the Yankees' confidence in their current catching options. Plus, a willingness to gamble future depth for immediate bullpen strength. Calculated Risk or Overpay? This deal represents a classic win-now move. The Yankees are making a clear push to strengthen critical bullpen roles ahead of a tight postseason race. However, the risks are evident. Bednar, though excellent, is 29 and has to perform at a high level through October. If injuries or performance issues arise, the cost of losing a polished prospect like Flores could loom large. On the other hand, the Yankees' current contention window and need for bullpen help make this a logical statement. The team's front office is betting that the immediate boost Bednar provides will outweigh the potential future value cost.

New York Yankees Trade Slew of Prospects in Pair of Impactful Deadline Moves
MLB

New York Yankees Trade Slew of Prospects in Pair of Impactful Deadline Moves

The New York Yankees shook up the trade deadline in a big way on Thursday, acquiring a pair of leverage relievers as they attempt to get back to the World Series this season. Fortifying the back-end of the bullpen, New York brought in former All-Star closer David Bednar from the Pittsburgh Pirates and hard-throwing Jake Bird from the Colorado Rockies. In exchange, they gave up a slew of prospects, including Roc Biggio and Ben Shields (Bird), and Rafael Flores, Edgleen Perez and Brian Sanchez (Bednar). In total, the Yankees traded away two prospects from their MLB Pipeline Top 10: Flores was eighth and Biggio was 10th. Perez was ranked 14th, while Shields was 28th. Sanchez was unranked. With regards to Flores, he is a catcher and a first baseman who had been predicted to make his debut in 2026. The Yankees clearly found him expendable given the presence of Ben Rice and Austin Wells. Biggio, an infielder, is blocked currently by Jazz Chisholm Jr. at second base and Ryan McMahon at third. New York entered play on Thursday at 59-49 and in the first position in the American League wild card chase. They advanced to the World Series last season, but have slumped this season, losing holding hold in the American League East. The Yankees play the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday afternoon at Yankee Stadium before heading to Miami for a weekend series with the suddenly surging Marlins. They'll then play the also surging Texas Rangers next week. Texas is currently in the third wild card spot in the American League, tied with the Seattle Mariners. Both teams are 57-52. Related MLB Stories UPDATE on SHOEHI: Shohei Ohtani left the game as a pitcher on Wednesday night. Here's the latest. CLICK HERE: DEATH OF A LEGEND: Ryne Sandberg, the Baseball Hall of Famer, passed away at the age of 65 this week. CLICK HERE: SKENES IS UNREAL! Paul Skenes is making rarely before seen history for the Pirates, doing it on both a season-long and career-long level. CLICK HERE:

3 Instant Takeaways from the Phillies Trading for Harrison Bader
MLB

3 Instant Takeaways from the Phillies Trading for Harrison Bader

The Philadelphia Phillies made their second deal in 24 hours on Thursday. The Phillies acquired outfielder Harrison Bader from the Minnesota Twins, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. In return, the Phillies are sending outfielder Hendry Mendez (their No. 12 prospect) and right-hander Geremy Villoria to Minnesota. The move comes one day after Philadelphia landed closer Jhoan Duran. It signals a clear all-in approach from the front office. At 61-47, the Phillies are a half game behind the New York Mets for the lead in the National League East, and they're already preparing for a stretch run with the goal of a deep October push. 1. Bader's Bat is Finally Back After three straight years of inconsistent offense, Bader is having a bounce-back season. Bader has already matched his career-high 12 home runs, is slugging .439 and owns a .399 on-base percentage. It's his best offensive output since 2021. The most promising stat? A 26.4% walk rate, the highest he's posted since the shortened 2020 season. 2. It's Always Defense in Philadelphia Bader's bat is a bonus, but his glove is better. The 2021 Gold Glove winner remains one of the game's best defensive center fielders. His speed, instincts, and ability to cover ground make him an ideal late-inning substitution option, especially in postseason games where defense is magnified. In Philadelphia, Bader adds right-handed balance to a left-heavy outfield that includes Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas, while providing late-game insurance for Nick Castellanos in right. Bader offers a strong mix of platoon flexibility, defensive reliability, and postseason experience. 3. Phillies Upgrade Without Touching the Top of the Farm This was a smart deal from the Phillies' perspective. By parting with Mendez and Villoria, they improve their roster without moving a top-10 prospect. Mendez is a promising left-handed bat still in High-A, while Villoria is a developmental arm. Combined with the Duran trade, the Phillies have now addressed both the bullpen and outfield without dealing major-league contributors or elite prospects. It's a calculated push for the NL East crown and a roster better built for October.

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